Mt Carrie, Cat Peak, Cat Lake,  Olympic National Park,  Sep 21, 2009 - Sep 25, 2009     page 68 / 80

I crossed a couple of ridges and proceeded into the next basin. I remembered a small snowfield here when I visited with Dad in 2008. That snow was all gone, but the area was so pleasant that I had to stop and enjoy it for a few minutes.

It was very quiet. A small breeze through the trees was occasionally heard. Then I heard an odd sound. I looked across the basin and a flock of birds, perhaps three or four dozen arose from below the bench. They swooped across the sky. I could hear their wings flapping. They lit in a small stand of trees briefly, then they were back to the sky. They disappeared across the ridge, then a smaller group returned, finally resting in another group of trees. It was quite spectacular to watch!