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August 21, 2001

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* Osprey *
    This was amazing. I was going to send a picture of a big slimy slug sucking on my finger but this picture beat it.     Yesterday (Monday) I went hiking up Crescent Mountain. This was an awesome trail to the top of this   ' summit. From the top it seemed like I could see forever. I got some great shots of the Cascade Mountains as well as many interesting plants and animals along the way.     On my way back down the mountain I stopped and took my camera out to try to get a shot of these two birds that were flying around. They looked like some kind of hawk. Later examination of the images revealed that they were Osprey.     The birds were gliding on the updrafts of wind from the sides of the mountain. I got a few shots when it landed in a tree about 50 yards away. I put my pack down and proceeded off the trail and down towards the tree. Not very much closer the bird flew off and around the side of the mountain out of view. Disappointed I began to climb back up the hill to the trail. Almost back to the trail I was startled when I looked up and there it was, looking down at me. I got a shot just before it tucked its wings in and dove down towards me to get a better look. That's when I got this picture.     I was amazed and just stood there for a while cherishing the moment.