Shasta, It Hasta Be Shasta

'Shasta, it hasta be Shasta'

Bright and early When I got around to it, I left the house yesterday morning, heading north for Washington State. My goal, is to visit with buds I haven't seen in a while, and secondarily, to tour Olympic National Park, and  possibly Crater Lake in Oregon - I'll see how it goes.

Monday's drive was uneventful, save for the view of snow covered Mt. Shasta, the long dormant volcano, which gleamed brightly in the sunlight. I stopped for a bit in the tiny town of Shasta for a deli sandwich and some coffee - the townspeople were friendly and cheering. So far so good! Spent the night in Eugene. Haven't visited that town since... the 1980s? I might be wrong about that, but its been a while. No stories to tell on that account anyway. Today I got up early and headed for Everett Washington. Along the way I stopped to view another volcano, which blew its top memorably in my own lifetime - Mt. St Helens.

Mount St. Helens with her bad self

I stopped in on the visitor center and prayed the volcano would stay quite at least until I could put in my getaway. Made it to Everett where I hooked up with my long time bud, Anna. It's good to see her. She was in my neck of the woods last November, but she was kept happily busy by her California family so I didn't get to see her. This time I get to hog my bud, all to myself. We started the visit with the official stuffing of the faces at a local Asian Buffet that her family enjoys. The restaurant had a large selection of shellfish and I went wild, trying my first ever Whelk. As expected, they are rather like escargot - slightly rubbery, taking on the taste of whatever sauce they were prepared in. What a hoot it was to try something so v. exotic.

Whelk not exotic enough? Well, there is that frog leg just below it, ready for sampling.

It was great catching up with Anna on her life's adventures. We made our plans for the next day or two. Originally we thought we'd visit Seattle, but looks like we're going to take her sister-in-law's advice and visit one of the islands of Puget sound. Oooo can hardly wait.

A Little South County Birding

After lunch with a buddy today, I was near Consumnes Reserve, so decided I might as well put in a visit there. I walked the boardwalk and although I enjoyed some v. close looks at Wilson's Snipes...

Wilson's Snipe

I was taken by the number of Common Yellowthroat, a type of warbler, that were bouncing around the reeds like they were on uppers. There were at least a dozen, the males with their black masks, and the less flashy females, but they never held still for second so it was a challenge getting any shots of them at all.

How's that for a striking bird?

BOING! I'm outta here!

By the time I meandered around the boardwalk, it was getting late and it dawned on me, I wasn't too far from a spot where Short-eared Owls hunt the ag fields. Not having any shots of any kind of Short-eared Owls, I  headed on over. First thing I spotted was a big ole' owl on a post.

Around 4:30 this big Short-eared Owl was perusing the fields

I've seen loads of this species before, but today was the best looks I've had of them EVER. What a thrill! There were a pair of them, and I watched one of them with a vole, get bullied and harassed in the air by the second bird.

Fluffin' it Up

The Short-ears flew back & forth over the fields, hunting. I saw the land, though they didn't seem to catch anything with most of their efforts. Good or bad year for rodents? Don't know. When I saw one flying with a big juicy vole, the other owl chased after it for a bit, then gave up. Competition is on. Oh! And I watched one bird chasing a small song bird - that was interesting.

Swooping up

Almost got it there...

Teetering to smooth out that landing

Saw lots of new-for-the-year birds, miraculously bringing my annual total for species seen in 2013 to 100 even-steven. Go ahead. Applaud. I don't blame you.

What ever happened to...?

Robin, who is responsible for having found wonderful new homes for all five of my hens contacted me tonight. She sent me photos of Babette, Dove & Godiva enjoying their new home. Oh how I miss those little biddies!

Godiva, Dove and Babette hunting in the straw

To my eyes the Marans are larger than they were when they left here, and Babette she looks like her usual poofy and fussy self.

Babette inspecting the goat pen with her new 'Mommy' *sniff*

 They look fit and happy in their winter feathering. They have a ginormous hen house all to themselves now.

Looks like a Chicken Palace to me!

Well, I just wanted to share how well my three funny little hens are doing. I miss them every flippin' day. Thanks for the pictures Robin!