We finally, after 21 years in the Pacific Northwest, observed a
Mountain Beaver (aka Boomer or Aplodontia) in its native habitat. It
was at an approximately 3,000 foot elevation, along the approach road
to the Beckler Peak trailhead, in the Mt. Baker?Snoqualmie National
Forest. We had about a five second look at the animal, as it dashed
toward us down the road with a big fern in its mouth; then it veered
off the road and down to its burrow, where it disappeared. This was
at about 10:15 a.m.. No time to get a photograph.

On the hike to Beckler Peak we also encountered a female Sooty Grouse
with two young, who flew up a short ways to a couple of conifer
trees, allowing us to photograph them at fairly close range. We also
located the small depressions in dry earth where they had been taking
dust baths.

Atop the peak we saw a lone swift zooming over; we are guessing it
was a Black Swift, but we were birders without binoculars (trying to
lighten the load).

At home several weeks ago, I finished doing some work with a power
miter saw outside, then shut it off and went inside. A few minutes
later, I heard the screech and whine of the saw again. It took
several seconds to register what it was: it was a Steller's Jay
imitating the sound of my miter saw! I can't imagine a better
species to imitate this call, since I've always found the Steller's
Jay to have one of the most grating calls in nature. And I say that
affectionately, bless their hearts!

Lee Rentz
Shelton, WA
http://leerentz.wordpress.com (blog)