Date: 04/04/2013

Number: 1

This specific day I watched the BE on the ground near "a last stand"farm next to the Green River off the I 5 Fwy near the Lydig transfer station off Orillia in Kent city limits. He was on the ground for more than 5 minutes. The BE did 3 giant hops but didn't take off. Leaned into ponded water for a drink, eventho the river was a football field away. Across the long driveway a large flock of pecking geese worked the field. After the drink, heading south, back to me, BE lifted off for a short flight to an old fashion telephone pole with a T bar at the top as the perch and looped around facing north to me. In flight several small black birds, like crow nosedive bombed the BE with a death wish. BE paid no attention. 2 other suicidal smaller brown birds were aggressively bombing the BE perched on the T bar. Before this I saw BE over the Southcenter I-5 interchange riding thermals; another time thermal riding above transfer station. After this ground event, at the farm in air, male and female casually crisscrossing , like follow the leader heading south but in no hurry, making loose aerial chicanes. Yesterday I think I spotted the nest above and next to i-405 exit south to the 167 to Kent in the backyard of an industrial/commercial yard. Across the busy I-405 is Denton Park, Green River. The nest is huge! But so is the BE wing span. I was about a football field away from BE before hopping to ponded water. I turn 60 in June, FYI. Each time is a thrill! My heart leaps into my throat.

Kent, WA

Latitude: 47.4 Longitude: -122.2

Observed by: Joy
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