Shorebirds are always fun to watch. Their gangly legs and long beaks are just so interesting. The Wilson’s Phalarope is a bit different, mostly foraging while afloat in shallow water. Another difference is that the female is the more colorful of the pair and the male incubates the eggs and gets the youngsters off to a good start in life. I think the avocets enjoy looking at their reflection.
Long-billed Curlew, Black-necked Stilt, Willet, American Avocet, Wilson’s Phalarope.
At Malheur NWR, I had plenty of chances to work on improving my birds in flight photography skills. Lots of types of birds around all the time. Forester’s Tern, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Long-billed Curlew, Swainson’s Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Northern Harrier aka Marsh Hawk.
The girls and I just returned from a nearly three-week roadtrip. We spent time in the California desert and also at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. I made lots of pictures. Lots. So far, I have processed most of the bird photos from Malheur and even skipping many, I still have so many favorites. It’s overwhelming. Here is a group of several miscellaneous species to get started. Sandhill Cranes, Osprey, Song Sparrow, Bullock’s Oriole, Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Ring-necked Pheasant, White-faced Ibis, Pintails, Franklin’s Gulls, Yellow-headed Blackbird, White-faced Ibis, Turkey Vultures. There will be more.
I took my kayak out for the first time this year yesterday. It was a perfect morning on the lake – calm water, blue skies and comfy temperature. There were not a lot of birds but the birds we did see were pretty and ready to have their pictures made. Birding from a non-motorized boat is the best.
Sometimes, winter seems never ending with a long drawn out mud season. This year, the snow melted quickly and now everything is green again. It’s still possible to find patches of snow in shady, north facing places and the dogs celebrate each of those little patches. Tiny wildflowers are in bloom and the balsamroot and serviceberry are ready to color all the hillsides. Bees and other insects are out foraging. Butterflies are showing up. For now, it’s quiet around town and trails offer solitude. Soon the pass will open and that will all change but for now, the dogs and I are enjoying being out on the landscape.
My Everyday Photos 