I made a new year's resolution this year to see a lot more birds. I got started right away yesterday with a trip to Tualatin River NWR. The temperature was about 25 F. I lasted a little over an hour before losing feeling in the fingers required to operate a camera.
Some highlights were this chilly-looking Fox Sparrow:
And a Ruby-crowned Kinglet with a visible ruby crown!
Bad photo, but it was cool to see for once...
A sweet little Bewick's Wren:
This morning I was heading to Ridgefield for a quick loop of the auto tour but was quickly sidetracked by the epic sunrise....
Hell yeah! At Ridgefield things were pretty mellow... The highlight for me was a Varied Thrush:
And a harrier perched on a log giving me the stink eye:
After Ridgefield I planned to head out to Cascade Locks to find the Harlequin Ducks since I still had not seen any ever... They were exactly where someone said they were yesterday, between the Cascade Fish Hatchery and a foot bridge in Eagle Creek.
If only they had been awake! Oh well, a new bird is a new bird... A pair of Common Goldeneyes flew by while I was standing there...
Further up the road were some birds poking around on the ground... Mostly juncos and sparrows, but also this Hermit Thrush:
After stopping at home for lunch I figured I'd take the dogs for a walk along Broughton Beach and search for the Tufted Duck. It was a gorgeous afternoon though still pretty chilly. Luckily I remembered to double up on socks and gloves.
I didn't find the duck... But I did find a flock of these guys:
American Pipits! Another new one for me! What a great way to start the year...
Some highlights were this chilly-looking Fox Sparrow:
And a Ruby-crowned Kinglet with a visible ruby crown!
Bad photo, but it was cool to see for once...
A sweet little Bewick's Wren:
This morning I was heading to Ridgefield for a quick loop of the auto tour but was quickly sidetracked by the epic sunrise....
Hell yeah! At Ridgefield things were pretty mellow... The highlight for me was a Varied Thrush:
And a harrier perched on a log giving me the stink eye:
After Ridgefield I planned to head out to Cascade Locks to find the Harlequin Ducks since I still had not seen any ever... They were exactly where someone said they were yesterday, between the Cascade Fish Hatchery and a foot bridge in Eagle Creek.
If only they had been awake! Oh well, a new bird is a new bird... A pair of Common Goldeneyes flew by while I was standing there...
Further up the road were some birds poking around on the ground... Mostly juncos and sparrows, but also this Hermit Thrush:
After stopping at home for lunch I figured I'd take the dogs for a walk along Broughton Beach and search for the Tufted Duck. It was a gorgeous afternoon though still pretty chilly. Luckily I remembered to double up on socks and gloves.
I didn't find the duck... But I did find a flock of these guys:
American Pipits! Another new one for me! What a great way to start the year...
That is a great picture of the Goldeneyes. I am going to work on my "action" shots this year. They showed up nicely in your picture.
ReplyDeleteWhen you said your resolution was to see more birds, I thought: "How is that possible, she sees a s**tload as it is." Well you proved me wrong...you saw a ton this weekned! And that sunset probably made getting up early worth it! So pretty!
ReplyDeleteYou really did well on your tour. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeletewonderful birding
ReplyDeleteVery impressive photos - and your landscapes make me miss the Northwest - I lived in Portland a very long time ago.
ReplyDeleteWOW that was a stellar day! SO many new FACES--wow..and that shot is that the HOOD? Ive never been to the NW...drooling to get up there tho....Its awesome-
ReplyDeleteDont forget to pack the thermos with Hot Choco-latte!
& That stop action shot is MARV!!-
Happy Birding!
Cool, Pipits. That's a bird I'd like to see.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! Your photography is astounding. You would be invited to contribute to World Bird Wednesday a place for bird bloggers to share their experiences. Check it out at http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteWonderful way to start the new year. Great birds and photos.
ReplyDeleteSuper variety of birds and scenery Jen! A stellar way to start off the year!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen. A wonderful start to your birding year and some great photos.
ReplyDelete