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Birds, Birds, Birds

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.

Kayak Birds

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.

Spring Scenes

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.

Spring Birds

Spring migration is in full swing with new birds arriving, and departing, daily. After a long quiet winter, it’s nice to hear bird song again. Mountain Bluebird, Say’s Phoebe, Dusky Grouse, Vesper Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Bluebird, Townsend’s Solitaire, Bald Eagle, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Sandhill Cranes.

A Little Time at the Beach

We all got away to the Washington coast last week to dig razor clams and walk on the beach and generally relax. It was lovely. The weather was pretty good too. Not very rainy or windy, for a change. There was a Bald Eagle nest across the river from where we stayed. I saw the birds near it but they weren’t using it, yet. I saw one shorebird – a Greater Yellowlegs, I think. Sunsets were lovely. There’s not many things better than a beach sunset. Both dogs found a tennis ball. And we ate fried razor clams and fresh ceviche too. We got our limits on three of four days. Here I am with a limit of fifteen clams.