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Sparkmeister's Newsletter: - March 2004
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As I sit here looking at blooming Daffodils and the grass
starting to grow, it appears that we have made it through another
winter. A friend commented a while back that, as a photographer,
winter was a real challenge in the Pacific Northwest. The
number of days with flat gray light leave one hungering for
photographic opportunities. In this issue we will look at
several winter opportunities, owl watching and winter sunsets.

Remember, if at any time you have questions or comments, please
email me at: . I look forward to hearing from
you.

If you received this copy of the Sparkmeister's Newsletter as a
forward from another reader and you would like to receive future
issues, click on the following link, and put the word
subscribe in the subject line of the message, then click send.

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NOTE: Over the winter, I have started to offer a line of blank note
cards featuring my photographs. At this point, I have around 55
images ready to use for cards. I am working on finding retail
outlets in this area that are interested in carrying them. I do
have some of them available through the web at:
Note Cards Drop by and take a look.
In the future, I plan to have a much broader selection available
through the web.

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Featured Image of the Month - Skagit Bay Sunset
Click this link to view the image of the month:
Featured Image

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This image ties in both of the subjects of this issue. Taken
from the dike off the end of Rawlins road in Skagit valley, the
log strewn foreground of this picture is one of my favorite owl
watching locations. Around dusk, sometimes earlier, numerous
Short Eared Owls cruise these tide lands looking for voles and
mice. Looking somewhat like giant moths, Short Eared Owls, with
their oversize wings, are a study in effortless flight. Because
they are most likely to be visible at dusk, I see a lot of winter
sunsets while owl watching. I have noticed that we have a really
high incidence of beautiful sunsets here in the Winter. Often a
dull, gray day will be followed by a beautiful sunset. I think
this happens because of the lower sun angle in the winter
combined with the remaining clouds from stormy days.

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Some other winter sunsets and some pictures of Short Eared Owls
can be observed at:
Sunsets and Owls

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Enough time has elapsed since I began this issue that I have
decided to include another topic. Life has been really busy
lately as I get to know a new camera. Last weekend, we took our
annual trip to Central Washington to see the Sandhill Crane
migration. This spectacle is almost beyond description.
Thousands upon thousands of these majestic birds flying lazily
overhead, foraging in corn fields and resting along the edge of
wetlands.

I have tried for several years to take some pictures of the
cranes that capture the feel of the event. This year, due to
some good luck, and my new camera, I feel like I had some success.
I have posted some of these pictures to share at:
Cranes and other birds

I originally created this page for an Internet mailing list I'm
on so there are pictures of some other birds as well.

Although the Sandhill Crane Festival in Othello is this coming
weekend, March 26 through 28, the cranes will be around for
several weeks after that if any of you decide you just have to
see them this year.

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Some Other Links: Use your Browser's BACK button to return to the
Newsletter.

An interesting page on Short Eared Owls, featuring several sound
recordings, can be found here: Owling.com

Some information on Sandhill Cranes and the Festival at Othello:
Othello Sandhill Crane Festival

There are several populations of Cranes - this page talks about
the Cranes in the state of Michigan:
Cranes in Michigan

Sandhill Cranes make a truly unique sound - you can hear it at:
Crane Sounds

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QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS WANTED!

Questions about anything from birds to photography.
If you have a question, chances are that at least
several others have the same one. Send any questions or comments
to me at Thanks!

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It is my intention to send this newsletter only to those who wish
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Finally, feel free to share this newsletter with anyone you feel
might be interested. Because The Sparkmeister Newsletter is the
copyrighted work of Steve Taylor, I ask that you share it in its
entirety.

Thank You.