I again visited the Big Ditch and Thomle Rd sites to look for and
watch and do some digiscoping with my point & shoot Lumix. A friend
viited the Eide Rd. site, too. The joy, wonder and peacefulness I and
a few other bird-watchers and photographers experienced yesterday,
seemed much more delightful than the crazy scenes I have heard about
and now watched on many a video from Boundary Bay and Damon Point. I
hope that these temporary homes for the owls remain more than semi-
hospitable for the Snowies as long as they are there preparing for
their return north. All of us who visit these sites have an impact on
the owls and each other. Hopefully, we will continue to have the
positives outweigh the negatives. I have some thoughts and
observations which may contribute to others' decisions to go to these
sites and for way to have minimal negative impact on the sites. I
think it best for all concerned, that I keep my discussions to the
offlist variety. I welcome any and all inquiries, requests and
comments. Later, I will share some of my own photos (the best of
mine, to-date), ones which evoke fond memories of the glimpse I had
into the winter world of the Stanwood Beach Birds. It truly was a
priceless experience of my lifetime - not only because of the birds,
but due to the fine individuals who were there as well.

Wishing you all treasured moments with these visitors, with few human
'irruptions' marring your experiences.


Barb Deihl

North Matthews Beach - NE Seattle

barbdeihl at comcast.net