I took advantage of today's unbeatable weather to hike out to Noble Knob, at
6000 feet off Hwy 410, near Crystal Mountain. The main point of the day was
the sun and the views, but a variety of the typical mountain birds made
themselves noted along the way. As I climbed the trail up around the
shoulder of Noble Knob to the peak itself, a juvenile golden eagle was
soaring to the north and east. It had the classic white tail with dark
terminal band, and white central wing patches. I watched it for about five
minutes until it disappeared beyond distant peaks.



Louise Rutter

Kirkland