As I suspected, the newly mowed fields just south of Everett's Rotary Park were still attracting opportunists today. At 10 am there were again 13 Vultures, and a few Ravens snooping around for threshed, or exposed, creatures to eat. Around 2:30 pm I stopped by again, and saw about 5 Vultures about, and around 16 Ravens.

I was about to drive off when I spotted a big Coyote way out there, carefully scoping out the scene. I was standing near the road, with cars going by, which the Coyote hadn't responded to, but as I was watching it, I sneezed. Refocusing on the Coyote, I found it staring right back at me. Pretty good ears - it was about 200 yds away.

So that was pretty cool, seeing all those icons of the North and West out in a dry Everett field: the two Tricksters, Raven and Coyote, and the Vultures. I know there's many stories about the tricksters in native lore, but I don't recall reading any Indian tales about Vultures. For such an interesting creature it seems there must be some.

As I was too pooped from work today, I missed going out to the field at dusk. I imagine owls would be in attendance. Nearby canola fields will be up for harvest next I guess- they're just past bloom. Who knows who will show up when they get cut!

Jeff Gibson
Everett Wa