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Tag Archives: tundra swans

The girls and I took a little break from Mud Season last week. We drove about 100 miles south of here for a change of scenery and also a chance to walk on dry ground – no snow or mud, well, maybe a little mud. We walked through the sagebrush and coulees, the girls jumped in various lakes and I saw some tiny wildflowers and birds too. Ken joined us for an afternoon to celebrate my birthday. We ended the trip with a good six mile hike with a friend and her dog. I am pleased that Sky was able to do the whole hike despite her arthritis and spondylosis. She is moving around thanks to modern meds.

The first day of Spring featured cloudy, breezy weather bringing in sleet, rain and snow. We got out for some birding with one of the highlights being Sandhill Cranes and Tundra Swans on Cameron Lake Road east of the lower Okaongan Valley. The birds flew right across the road, giving us excellent views and a good opportunity to hear them calling back and forth. We estimated there were 200 to 300 cranes and maybe 25 swans.

Tundra Swans

Sandhill Cranes along Cameron Lake Road in Okanogan County

Sandhill Cranes along Cameron Lake Road in Okanogan County

Sandhill Cranes along Cameron Lake Road in Okanogan County

Sandhill Cranes along Cameron Lake Road in Okanogan County

Sandhill Cranes along Cameron Lake Road in Okanogan County