Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Al Ambler, Brian Butler, Craig Stockert, Harry Quinn
Visitors: Hikers- 14
Weather: Temp- 22-29 Deg.F Wind SW@ 4-9mph with gusts to 16mph Heavy cloud cover, low ceiling.
Raptor Observations: Frozen Finale' 2025 !! Our final day of the 2025 season. We knew the weather conditions would not be ideal today but we were hoping for at least a couple of raptors. It was not to be. Ended with a zero count today which was disappointing but overall we had a solid season so we can't complain. Coon delivers on so many levels.. for instance.. hiking in to the ridge today we got to follow bear tracks in the snow for a good distance before they veered off trail and went straight up the side of the mountain. It's not always about the raptors. Good company always makes the slow days move along quickly and today was no exception. Thanks to Al, Brian, Harry, and Craig for their company on this frigid day on the ridge.We didn't suffer too much today as we had hot pizza for lunch thanks to Brian Butler. BB carried in a large pepperoni pie and pan, and stove ( thanks also to Craig ) and heated up individual slices for all of us for lunch ! We washed the pizza down with Denise Thomson's chocolate chip cookies ! Yeah... tough day !! LOL !!! My thanks to the Coon crew that always makes it fun and interesting up on the ridge. Even on the slow days !! Thanks to all of our hard working visitors that make the long trek into the ridge.. just to get a "Coon" look at close raptors hugging the ridge or attacking the owl decoy as they make their way down ridge. And as always... Thanks to the Raptors that thrill us ! They keep us
coming back year after year.. it's just never enough !! Hope that never changes! Hoping everyone has a great holiday season filled with loads of winter raptors! Oh.. almost forgot.. Our Bird(s) of the Day selection .. of course the pizza and the cookies !!!
Non-raptor Observations: Ravens Black Ducks-4 Skeins of Canada geese Snow Goose- 1 ( yes a single snow goose crossed the ridge in front of us) ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
