Oregon Coast

Went to Newport to celebrate 38th anniversary.. Tried not to spend too much time birding. Les went along with me looking for the Gray Catbird that had been reported behind the Hatfield Marine Science Center. With help from Wayne Hoffman and those on OBOL we found it Sunday Morning and I was able to get a few shots of it. For me it was a thrill. Les actually found someone he could talk trucking with. All and all it was a good week-end.

Gray Catbird

First saw one then two arrived together. There's much talk on OBOL about the fact that they may be nesting there. They think there may be two adults and at least one young. I'll be going back at the end of Aug. so I'm hoping they'll still be there. My Brother is coming up for a visit and he will want to go over to the coast.

Had a great time and the weather was great.

Weekend At The Coast

Went to Astoria over the weekend to meet up with some friends we hadn't seen in over 25 years. Don was the best man at our wedding 38 yrs ago.
Nice to see them.
Went looking for some birds I wanted for my life list. Saw on ebird there was a Long-billed Curlew at Necanicum River Estuary--Little Beach, Clatsop County, Oregon
Took us a while to find the Estuary. It's kind of down in a residential area. Finally found it and when we got there we met a staff member, Mike Houck, of the Audubon Society of Portland. He was very nice and told us the Curlew hadn't been seen for a while.  I also wanted to find the Tufted Puffins that were reported at Haystack Rock. He gave us directions to a place we could see them from. Said we could see it with binoculars but a scope is better.

Got to Haystack Rock and it was beautiful weather. Found the spot Mike told us about .  I was able to just see the Puffins but couldn't get a photo for my ID. It was a really good day.

Went up to Washington to stay the night. Sunday morning we went to Sid Snyder beach and got to see some Caspian Terns. Got close to  those. The most I've seen at one time.   I also got to see a Heermanns Gulls. So I got 2 lifers. The gull was a bonus.


Caspian Terns

Heermanns Gull

California Trip Photos

I did a little digging. I found the photo that was taken 61 years ago at Trees of Mystery with Paul and Babe. It was such fun.

Only saw 2 barn swallows while I was there.

This is picture of me and my mom, brother and sister. I'm the one between my mom and brother (who was caught picking his nose)

This is Sabrina and Daphne in the same spot.

You can almost see Sabrina and Daphne.

With Babe

Close-up with Paul's Shoe

Pileated Woodpecker

Spent the last two birding days at Fernhill and Tualatin Hills Nature Park.
Was happy to see 13 American White Pelicans. Also got another lifer.  A Bonepart's Gull.

Les took me to Tualatin Hills to see the Pileated Woodpeckers. Got to see one adult and two of the babies. They are about ready to leave the nest.

Pileated Woodpeckers

 Bonaparte's Gull (not the best picture)

 

American White Pelicans

 

Merlin or.

Had a great day in Grants Pass Area. Only spent a little time in Waterhorse Park. I did get to see some cool birds while I was there. Got another lifer. Such fun.

Chipping Sparrow

Brown Creeper

Pine Siskin

On our way home tomorrow. Had great weather and a great time.

California

Went down into California to see the Trees of Mystery. I was there when I was 4 yrs old. We took Daphne to get her picture done in front of Paul Bunyan and Babe. Had a really good time. Didn't do much birding. Stopped a a park in Cresent City Ca. and got a new bird. Added Pacific Loon to my life list.  Got a couple pictures of some brown Pelicans.

Very tired and heading for Grants Pass tomorrow.

Pelican

Trip Down The Coast

Started our trip yesterday. Thought it was going to rain on Saturday but it was a beautiful day. Daphne was so excited to see the ocean and all the birds. She got so close to a seagull and when it took off she laughed.

My Little Birder

So far in two days I've gotten 5 lifers.

1. Brant
2. Clark's Grebe
3. Whimbrel
4. Caspian Tern
5. Purple Martin

Pretty excited. My trip is only in the second day. Once we get to where the relatives are I won't get to go birding much. Hope to get at least one more lifer for half dozen.

Not the best picture but enough to see it.

Brant

Whimbrel

Caspian Tern

Heading south in the morning. Going to make a few stops along the way to Brookings Or.