Yesterday was fairly perfect to go for a drive north. I was spurred on by a couple of Tweets' sightings of a Prairie Falcon for the past couple of weeks and figured this bird (if it was only one) would be working it's way toward the Samish Flats, like at least one other has in past winters. I also wanted to check for a Merlin in Edison. This was my only roadtrip for birds, this winter so far !

It was great to get out. I took off around 1 p.m. and got back at 7:30. My first road-bird was a MERLIN, seen flying across I-5 somewhere near Everett ! What a great send-off ! Traffic was minimal, there was no rain or snow, the deciduous trees were bare, revealing the occasional perched raptor - I admit I was focused mostly on raptors and scenery. Hadn't used a camera in months (for birds). Yes, my photos show it !

I spent most of my time driving and pulling over to get a better look at dark blobs in trees, most of which were Bald Eagles. Also seen were some Red-tailed Hawks, a Rough-legged Hawk, male and female Northern Harriers, Great Blue Herons, Trumpeter Swans, Snow Geese. Though I looked carefully for a Prairie Falcon along Baview Edison Rd and other places in the Samish Flats, I was often quite distracted by fields, mountains, water and, of course, my favorite, sky... Apparently I missed the Prairie Falcon along Bayview-Edison Rd. that was seen in late morning. Also failed to see that Edison Merlin. Also, even though I was at West 90 in mid-afternoon and before sunset, I saw no Short-eared Owls. Not even a Peregrine graced my view.

But I didn't care. What I did see reminded me of how worthwhile it usually is, just to get out in a different environment and look around. Most of all, it was peaceful, which these days is huge !

Here's my Flickr album from the day - a lot of white and blue, black and brown. I didn't miss the lack of red :-)

https://flic.kr/s/aHskTAqPts

Barb Deihl
Matthews Beach Neighborhood - NE Seattle
barbdeihl at comcast.net


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