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A Few Sights from Harts Pass

Recently, the girls and I spent eight days volunteering at Harts Pass. The weather was pretty good but the bugs were unbearable. Also, there were many visitors so I was busy most of the time. The bugs made it nearly impossible to do photography or to do much birding. We made the best of it and here are a few images from our time up there. The bird in the rocks appears to be the western Arctic subspecies of the Horned Lark. But I could be wrong. As for the grouse, she’s probably a Sooty but maybe a Dusky? The hoary marmots were a long ways away and after sunset so not the best quality images.

A Steep Little Hike

Earlier this week, Willow and I hiked up to a local lookout. It’s a short steep hike. The volunteer lookout wasn’t there yet. She just arrived today. We enjoyed the views from top of the mountain despite smokey skies and wondered if the old outhouse would survive another year. The flowers were wonderful. I especially liked the western clematis (Clematis occidentalis). It’s not a commonly seen wildflower. Willow especially liked a couple small snow patches! They won’t last much longer. And I might have obsessed, just a little, on the newly growing cones on the alpine larches and Douglas firs. There’s worse obsessions.

Spring Birds, Bees, and Flowers

Big photo dump from late Spring.

Not So Common – Common Loons

I observed these loons from my kayak on a lake in the Okanogan Highlands last month. Usually, there is a nesting pair but at that time, none were using the historic nest. This particular day, we observed six or seven loons, actively feeding on small trout. Most days I observed only two or three loons on the water at any time. At least two other lakes in the area had nesting loons.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) says “This species is identified as a Priority Species under WDFW’s Priority Habitat and Species Program. Priority species require protective measures for their survival due to their population status, sensitivity to habitat alteration, and/or recreational, commercial, or tribal importance. The PHS program is the agency’s main means of sharing fish and wildlife information with local governments, landowners, and others who use it to protect priority habitats for land use planning.”

Last year, an entire family of four loons was brutally killed by someone with a gun. Another loon died of lead poisoning, possibly from fishing tackle.

I love to camp there and watch and listen to the loons.

Another Fabulous Light Show

I woke at 2:30 am and the Aurora Borealis was shining bright!