Sauvie Island/ Powell Butte

The last couple of days here have been freakin fantastic, forcing me to scrub the ridiculous layer of dust off my sunglasses that only a Portland winter can create.  Yesterday afternoon I drove out to Sauvie Island with the mutts.


We spent most of our time wandering Rentenaar Road.  Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes are still present in good numbers...



A flock of swans flew overhead that included some Trumpeters trumpeting away.  A new state bird for me!

No guarantee these are said Trumpeters, but I think they are
 
I checked out the sparrow flock at the famous apple tree and easily found the Harris's Sparrow, but not the Clay-colored or anything else exciting.


Sauvie Island is known for its farms and Jake was more than happy to sample the local grass.


This afternoon the dogs were tired from a morning at work so I headed over to Powell Butte without them.  Another beautiful day...


Apparently I was not privy to the knowledge that beautiful days mean major make-out sessions at the butte.  Seriously.  See this Mourning Dove?


What you can't see and what I didn't notice at first was the half-naked couple just below and to the right of this dove.  This dove was getting quite the show.

Anyway, I was on the lookout for shrikes and bluebirds.  I found the Western Bluebirds rather easily, just south of the Orchard Trail (where of course two more people were making out in the middle of the off-limits Wildlife Area).  The birds were far away so made for only record photos, but still awesome because it was a new county bird for me.  Not that I care.  Oh wait, I do.  Dammit.


Male Anna's Hummingbirds were everywhere, staking out their territories.


That was about it for birds...


Good times!

Comments

  1. Back many years ago I was at a local refuge and suddenly a big white animal caught my eye out in the middle of the field. I put my binocs up and found that it was in fact....a giant human butt! Yes, a couple was having some fun in the rushes. Pretty funny that Powell Butte gets similar use. Great photos!

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    1. Oh man that's hilarious! I like that you said "giant" too.

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    2. In my binocs it was utterly immense.

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  2. Who knew Powell Butte was where all the action is. Hmm.

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  3. Jen, wow lots of action with the birds and the humans! I love the gorgeous views of the mountain and beautiful skies. You had some lovely days for birding! Have a great weekend and happy birding!

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  4. WOW butt naked in the woods...sounds like the rednecks around here...
    OF course I could go for some skinny dipping on a hot day myself..:0)
    Cool list of birds for your trouble...beautiful weather! WE are finally having a couple of nice days...sure makes a difference in the way I feel.

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    1. Haha, I really couldn't say I was AGAINST the idea of making out in a field of bluebirds, but it was just rather inconvenient (and awkward!) for me at the time...

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  5. Oh ho! Very nice. You had better weather this weekend that we did in Arizona! What's going on with all that Global Weirding!?

    Perhaps you could also keep a state and county list of birds you've seen next to couples making out?

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    1. Yes I should do that. I think I have like five on my county list for that.

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