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Winter Wonders

As a birder, there are certain birds that really spark my imagination. Snowy Owl is one of those birds. This winter, like last year, there seems to be an ‘irruption’ of these charismatic birds. This means that a higher than usual amount of sightings are being reported around the Pacific NW as well as in other parts of the country. Snowy Owls nest in the far north tundra of Canada and Alaska. In a good year, when many young survive, there may not be enough food (voles, mice, lemmings, etc) for all of them to survive in the southern areas of Canada so they push farther south into the US. This year, the reports of these birds arriving in an emaciated state in locations that are sometimes not suitable habit, such as urban Seattle; indicates that many of the young birds may be starving. Wildlife rehabilitators all over Washington have been ‘rescuing’ Snowy Owls in hopes of building up there strength so they can be released again to more appropriate habitats. The good news is that some have already been returned to health and then released.

On Tuesday, driving down from the Rendezvous on a foggy, dark day, I was lucky enough to see a Snowy Owl with my friend Jennifer! It was a first for her and I was delighted to know it was out there. However, when I slowed the car it flew and disappeared into the the snowy sage-covered hills; very wary of anyone wanting to view it. To my eye, that’s a good sign that it is a healthy bird. The emaciated ones have allowed people to get very close to them because they could barely fly.

Yesterday more friends saw the owl and made some wonderful photos! Of course, I could not ignore this and had to try myself to get some images. Despite a head cold that knocked me for a loop yesterday, I ventured out, strengthened with cold meds. The bird was in the same general area and allowed me to park and get out of my car with my camera on a monopod! When it would turn its head away from me (often as much as 180 degrees), I’d advance a step or two. This continued for fifteen minutes or so til it (and then I) heard voices up the hill. There were some people on a walk, oblivious to the scene below. The bird became quite wary and flew off to another perch and then still another one. I decided it was time to leave the bird alone so it could enjoy the sunshine or hunt in peace and went on my way.

 

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Riser Lake

Luna and I drove into the lower Rendezvous yesterday in hopes of maybe spotting a Snowy Owl. Again, no luck finding Bubo scandiacus but we did see a variety of raptors including a Golden Eagle, female Northern Harrier, two American Kestrels and a few Red-tailed Hawks. Near town there was a Northern Shrike hunting from a powerline.

After the owl-less drive, we stopped at Riser Lake to stretch our legs and see what else we could find. The lake is almost entirely frozen over and the little bit of open water held a pair of Mallards til they realized we were going to walk around the lake. They took off and then returned before we left. The only other birds were Northern Flickers, a couple of Black-capped Chickadees and a lone Bohemian Waxwing.

It was a good day for a walk with a little bit of crusty snow and no precipitation. Luna is still nursing a sore back so she doesn’t have the energy to run like she always has in the past. It seems harder for her to jump in the car and she sleeps more than usual.

 

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Abandoned fruit trees indicate that people once attempted to make a living off the land in these arid hills.

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The colorful fruit is welcomed by the wintering birds, especially the waxwings.

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Thin ice

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Frozen in time

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What thing doesn’t belong in this photo?

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Interesting low-growing plant on top of the hill overlooking the lake

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And one lone pine tree too

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Whose nest? It is about ten feet off the ground. Seems low for a Common Raven but what else would use a nest so large?

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I found pears, but no partridges

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Looking for Winter Birds

Jenny and I went in search of wintering birds in eastern Okanogan County yesterday. It was a long day of driving over bumpy, sometimes muddy and puddle-filled roads, avoiding cows – lots of cows – and enjoying long vistas. The weather was very non-typical of early December. Normally we’d be battling cold winds, crusty snow on the ground, fog, rain or snow falling. Or maybe, all of the above. Instead, we had mostly blue skies, bare ground, and green fields of verdant winter wheat dotted with glacial erratics from the last ice age. In other words, it was a great day to see birds! The birds did not get the memo. They were few and far between and while we saw interesting species like Snow Buntings and Common Redpolls, Northern Shrikes and Rough-legged Hawks, we missed out on the iconic Snowy Owls and Gyrfalcons. Still, it was a good day with good company to explore a fascinating landscape.

 

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A glacial erratic splitting in two

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We walked all around this stand of aspens and found one Great-horned Owl and some chickadees

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An interesting mark left by someone before us

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Old scratches in aspen bark

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A bird’s nest at eye level

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Jenny found this. She identified it as a praying mantis egg case. Pretty cool!

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Lots of cows means lots of cow pies to avoid. Some had mushrooms growing out of them.

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A suvey marker.

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A sharp curve in the road

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Moses Mountain in the distance. A special place on the Colville Reservation

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art?

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history.

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Frosty Morning Walk

Luna and I walked at the Twisp Ponds this morning. She is still recovering from her unfortunate incident on Sunday so I am trying to keep her calm and it is not always easy. The leash helps but then I was also carrying binoculars and my big camera in addition to making a few shots with my phone. It was a bit of a juggling act. Luna needs to recuperate for one to two weeks before she can get back to being Luna again. It will be a challenge. Rimadyl helps.

Cottonwoods reflected in an opening in the ice

 

Grasses frozen in time

 

Frosty leaves on a bridge in black and white

 

and color

 

Whose nest?

 

The only bird I saw this morning. I heard crows in the distance

 

Remains of a bird

 

Frosty oregon grape in black and white

 

and vivid color

 

Remains of a paper wasp nest. Where do they go in the cold months?

 

Ice near the bridge

 

Over the River and Through the Woods

In Search of the Perfect Christmas Tree

Our good friends and their enormous newfoundland dog joined us for the day. After much organizing and loading we all squeezed into our truck and headed for the forest with our US Forest Service Christmas Tree Permits in hand. It was a perfect winter day with lots of sunshine and some fresh snow. Not too much snow. Last year there was so much we could not get to our favorite spot. We were in luck this time. This is our fifth year here and Ken and I have gone out on Thanksgiving weekend each year to search for our own Christmas tree together. We have gone from taking four dogs with us to just one. Sam is no longer limber enough to traipse through the woods and is content to stay cozy and warm at home.

 

But first, their was a downed tree across the road blocking our way

 

Steve and Ken made short work of it

 

Dogs romped and played before the unfortunate dog incident where 120 pound Micah pounced on 60 pound Luna.

 

This is the place.

 

Em is ready to help with his own saw as his mom looks on

 

That’s our tree! Thank you tree. And thank you Steve and Kim for finding it!

 

Luna is no longer comfortable with Micah.

 

There’s the happy family with their perfect tree!

 

And through the woods we go.

 

It was a parade

 

Ken likes this

 

The tree is just the right size for our house.

Such a pretty day.

 

Here comes Kim with their small tree.

 

And the guys brought in a big one for them

 

Em got to ski while the trees were loaded on the truck

 

First time this year. I think he likes it.

 

Short days

 

Headed home