To a good cause. In a weird coincidence, a few months ago (before we flew to Tucson), Rachael and I decided it was time to finally go carless. That night when I was walking home I got a phone call from Shawn, asking if I wanted to hear the bad news or the bad news first. Ha, ha. His car needs a new engine, and by chance we have a plan for that. He’s flying out to Portland to pick up the Raven and drive it home right before we leave for Europe.

Neither. She’s virtually a resident here in that same knothole. I can never find it on my own, but there’s always a local birder happy to remind me of the tree she’s in. This is by far the best of the shots I’ve gotten though because I can zoom in so well on her.

Did I miss something? Where is A RAVEN going?

Amazing. The owl almost completely blends into the tree. I have to believe you are either constantly scanning the trees while riding, or you got very lucky.

They’ve definitely got ideas. Or maybe they’re cardinals and they’re wondering how the pope is doing.

Yup. I was really pleased that the one flying in was so clear.

You can tell they are discussing the upcoming trip north.

Gracious! You caught them all at once!

Give them another week, or less.

"Natasha, next time I get fiendish plan, do me big favor? Sharrup my mouth!"

Can't read that without hearing it in the voice of Boris Badenov.

Moose and Squirrel, my heroes

Yes it is.

It is a pussy willow also called a goat willow. I think you were wondering because it looks much different when the flowers start growing, elongating with more open fuzziness. Most people think of pussy willows when the gray/white flowers first emerge earlier in the spring. Very pretty like this though.

I didn't realize how high the river was!