Subject: [Tweeters] Samish Source of Peace - 1/11/12
Date: Jan 12 15:22:43 2012
From: Barbara Deihl - barbdeihl at comcast.net


Not a bounty of birds, but a beautiful afternoon and early evening in
the Samish Flats. First stop was near Burlington, off Cook Rd., where
I saw an old friend from last winter, a Harlan's Hawk, perched in a
bare deciduous tree, off the road a piece. The stunning distant sharp
peaks of the Cascades made a fine background for the hawk's territory.

West 90 was quiet (no hunters, just birders and photographers) and
with enough Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk,
Western Meadowlark and Short-eared Owl finds and action to keep our
attention. Two women I talked to, had been photographing the birds,
particularly the SEOW, for 2-3 hours and, from what I saw of one of
their photos, had had much success. Bertha (from Concrete) got some
very nice pics which he said he would be posting on her Facebook
site. Melissa (from Edmonds) and her dog, Riley shared some of her
special moments of her afternoon there. A couple other folks came in
from the fields and were smiling and seemed pleased with what they had
seen and, like all the rest of us, with the crisp, clear, sunny weather.

After the others left, I watched and listened to, several Short-eared
Owls, some harriers, Common Ravens, Bald Eagles, 2 Peregrines (flew
over the field near dusk - distinctive flight style, angly wings,
flight speed and size are what caught my attention). I believe I also
heard sounds of either pheasant or chukars coming from the field to
the east of the paved trail. As the temperature dropped and the
sunset was fading, I pulled up stakes, left the barking owls and drove
off down the moonlit road.

I had a peaceful, easy feeling... Nature therapy had worked once again!

Barb Deihl

North Matthew Beach - NE Seattle

barbdeihl at comcast.net

www.flickr.com/photos/deihl (pics from this outing will be on
the site by tomorrow, Friday)