It must have been fate because I started the day by looking out my window and seeing a bald eagle.
I decided to take advantage of the afternoon break in the rain and drive to Steigerwald NWR. As I entered I saw a Red-tailed Hawk on the poles where the purple martin apartments are in summer. Not far down the path I saw a Merlin in a tree. Past the two bridges I saw a Northern Harrier on a post eating a vole. After she finished her meal she decided to dive bomb some ducks to see if they used Depends or not. The highlight of my little journey I saw a juvenile Peregrine Falcon in a tree. It was pretty badly backlit so it took a lot of camera adjustments to make out precisely what kind of bird it was. I posted one shot on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/11815777 at N07/15663073852/
As I walked back I could hear the falcon's hunting cries and some worried peeps from Steller's jays. I also saw a Great Blue Heron, three Hooded Mergansers, two American Wigeons and several mallards. Other birds I saw included Song Sparrows (of course), yellow-crowned sparrows, Northern Flickers, Scrub Jays (3), and two Pileated Woodpeckers.

My return to the parking lot revealed an American Kestrel where the Red-tailed Hawk was before.

Michelle Maani
Vancouver, Washington