THE OKANOGAN VALLEY,
CASCADE MOUNTAINS & CENTRAL
WASHINGTON STATE
JUNE 7 – 16, 2013
FOFA
is very excited to offer our third tour to the inland Pacific
Northwest. After first visiting the area in May 2005 to write an
article for WildBird Magazine, I was so taken with the incredible
diversity of habitats and breeding bird species that I have been
delighted to be able to return with a tour groups to share the wonder of
spectacular birding and scenery.
We
will cover life zones from the heights of the Cascade Mountains to the
sage/steppe deserts of central Washington, with everything in between.
Woodpeckers, warblers, waders, waterfowl, and many bird species starting
with other letters, about 175 in all.
We’ll
start and finish at Sea-Tac Airport, just south of Seattle, spending
our first and last nights at a nearby hotel. Our tour begins by
crossing the southern Cascade Mountains, then we’ll spend some time
exploring the eastern slope and drier habitats in the central part of
the state. We’ll work our way north, poking along through canyons, river
valleys, foothills, agricultural areas and many other habitats. After
birding areas surrounding the Columbia River, we’ll head north to the
Okanogan Valley, which hosts more species of breeding birds than any
other area of Washington. After a few days exploring the wonders of
this amazing valley, and the adjacent highlands, we’ll head back to
Seattle by crossing the northern Cascades, always looking for new
species. Check the species range maps in your field guides – we’ll
search for just about everything that occurs in this area during
breeding season.
EXPECTED ITINERARY
Day 1 (June 7, Fri):
Arrive in Seattle in time for 6:00 PM Welcome Dinner. Contact hotel for
free shuttle from airport. Night at Sea-Tac Airport area.
Day 2 (June 8, Sat): Drive
east from Seattle across the Cascades, with stops in the mountains
along the way, including the pict-uresque town of Roslyn, featured in
the very birdy TV series of several years back,Northern Exposure. Night in Cle Elum, WA.
Day 3 (June 9, Sun): Explore foothills and dry country east of Cascades. Night in Cle Elum.
Day 4 (June 10, Mon): Columbia River Basin, Potholes, Coulees and more. Night in Wenatchee, WA.
Day 5 (June 11, Tue): Okanogan Valley. Night in Okanogan.
Day 6 (June 12, Wed): Conconully Reservoir and Sinlahekin Valley. Night in Okanogan.
Day 7 (June 13, Thu): Okanogan Highlands. Night in Okanogan.
Day 8 (June 14, Fri): Loomis, Toats-Coulee Road in high mountains, road and snow conditions permitting. Night in Okanogan.
Day 9 (June 15, Sat): Drive
from Okanogan across the northern Cascades via Route 20, birding along
the way. Return to Sea-Tac area hotel, for Farewell Dinner and night.
Day 10 (June 16, Sun): Flights home at any time you would like.
TOUR PRICE: about $2495, based on 10 participants in double occupancy. Includes almost everything except airfare to Seattle.
CONTACT: Sam Fried, Flights of Fancy Adventures, LLC, sam.fried@live.com, 860-690-8599. www.flightsoffancyadventures.com
Sam Fried
Flights of Fancy Adventures, LLC
sam.fried@live.com
www.FlightsofFancyAdventures.com
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