Subject: [Tweeters] Magnificent day in Neah Bay (and a surprise when I got
Date: Nov 4 11:58:14 2013
From: Chazz Hesselein - chazz at hesselein.com


Who would have thought, after Saturday's stormy weather, that such a
calm, sunny day would be store in Neah Bay. That's what the weather
report said so I decided to believe it yesterday before starting my four
hour drive. The morning started off well as I was greeted by a calling
Common Loon while loading my car. The drive up was gorgeous with a
fresh dusting of snow on the trees and crags of the Olympic Mountains.
At the senior center, my first stop in Neah Bay, I was rewarded with a
lifer, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, without even leaving my car. Soon after,
a TROPICAL KINGBIRD made its flycatching presence know. After scoping
he harbor and before leaving the senior center, I was located by my
second lifer, a bright, first-cycle ICELAND GULL. I took a tour of the
sewage treatment plant but did not find a Rock Wren and couldn't figure
out how to get to Hobuck Beach without paying the $15 day use fee so I
passed on that area. I stopped at the senior center again in the
afternoon, before leaving the area, and shortly refound both the
Kittiwake and Iceland Gull. Thanks to all who previously reported these
birds, the stimulus for my long but rewarding drive.

Perhaps the most surprising sighting of the day occurred when I got home
and found both my wife and daughter with shaved heads. Seems they
decided to do "old-fashioned" head lice control after figuring out why
their scalps itched. Happily, they both look beautiful with or without
a full crop of hair!

Good birding all!

Chazz Hesselein
Port Orchard, WA