After purchasing some permits (at 3:30 p.m.) from the pleasant folks at 8421 Boe Rd. I headed over to Thomle Rd. for the sunset show. I was happy to stay on the road to view, since there wasn't enough time to go do the dike walk. I immediately saw a couple of Snowies (white blobs) out on the 'lawn'. There were several photographers out in the field and on the dike. The Snowies (I saw at least 5), sat on the 'tundra', on the short pipe posts - I saw none in any trees like I had on Saturday. Short-eared Owls barked and occasionally dive-bombed a sitting Snowy. The Snowies sometimes took flight. 2 flew over my head. One called out as it flew - a sort of croaking call. There were several N. Harriers, including a nice-looking male, which also glided by me. A busy bevy of W. Meadowlarks was foraging, or having a party, about 50 ft. from the road. Saw a couple of Peregrines, one Merlin, and 3 dozen Eurasian Collared Doves between I-5 and Thomle. After taking some shots of the almost-full moon, I left at 5 p.m.
My photoset of the Snowy Owls can be viewed at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjCZj6uR Hopefully they will inspire you to do some better photography of the owls if you go out there :-)
Dress warm, have boots and enjoy the owls and the beauty - I saw no hunters at Thomle - it was pretty peaceful.

As for the permits, one can buy some for other people without writing down the others' names or addresses. At the shop, the fellow (Scott) who sold me the permits, said there have been quite a few birders getting permits, more than ever before, since the Snowy Owls have been showing up - he hasn't seen one yet himself...


Barb Deihl

North Matthews Beach - NE Seattle

barbdeihl at comcast.net