Trip to Grants Pass

Boy I didn't realize how bad it had been being stuck in the house for so long. I was able to go down to see the grand-kids in Grants Pass. There was no birding planed because Les, Sabrina and Daphne were with me this time. But I still got some birding in on the porch. My friend Cheryl lives in Merlin which is out in the woods. Her yard has many birds.

I was able to see:

Red-breasted Sapsucker
   (not the best picture)

Golden-crowned Kinglet
   (have never gotten a photo till today)
Took about a half an hour of patients.

          

Hairy Woodpecker
  I've seen them but never got a photo till now.

It turned out to be a good time for the short time we were there..

Got to see the Grandchildren. My grandson Reese seems to be interested in birding. My friend Cheryl and her husband Ron, gave him a small pair of binoculars. He enjoyed watching the birds in her yard. I gave him my Sibleys book and he was pretty excited. A birder in the makings.

Turkey Vulture Release

I was able to go to Jackson Bottoms Wetlands to watch the Portland Audubon release two Turkey Vultures back into the wild.

They were caring for them and decided they were ready today. I wasn't sure what to expect. It was really awesome. To see them be free after injury and recovery was really a great sight.

When they opened to door to the crate they didn't move right away. They stepped out and looked around for a couple minutes and then flew off.  They soared around the area a few times then went higher.  There were a couple that were flying around before the release.  Two adults that were there took interest in the new vultures. They were all flying up high when I left.  It was pretty cool to watch.

Trip to Southern California

We've been having a great time in Southern California.
Spent a day with Greg and Marlene
Marlene fixed us lunch and then we went to the beach in Oceanside.
Marlene, Sabrina and Daphne Played on the beach.

Greg, Les and Me went down by the little bay area to look at the Birds.
Found a few birds I've never seen.

                           Gallinule

                Snowy Egret and Bunny

 

Snowy Egret

Great-tailed Grackle

We went to the desert and saw some new birds for me.

Verdin

                                                                 Cactus Wren

                                                   
                                                             Black-throated Sparrow

                                                                  White-winged Dove

This was from our resort hotel in San Diego

                                                                       Wrentit

Found this one in Lake Elsinore

The Best of all was today I saw a Greater Roadrunner

Fun Week

So funny the way this week has gone. My leg has been really bad with a lot of pain.  Haven't been able to do much walking much less birding. Decided I wanted to find the Lazuli Bunting I've been trying to see this bird for over 2 years.  Whenever I hear or read they are somewhere I'd go but could never find them. This week David Irons and Shawneen reported some at Cooper Mountain. I asked where to find them and they gave me directions and said I should see them in the parking lot. So I went to the parking lot and there they were. Got a couple good photos of one and was really happy to finally see one. They are the prettiest little birds. All the time I've spent looking and I only had to step out of my car and there they were.

Bath Time

I was wondering when my birds would start using the bath.
Last night a couple Doves just sat on it for a couple hours.
I try to change the water every day so it's nice and fresh.

Then today a Jay decided to take a full bath.  He was having such a good time. I think I enjoyed it almost as much as he did. Fun to just sit and watch him. The little things in life can change your whole mood for the day.

Blue Grosbeak: The Chase

I don't normally run off and chase a bird siting. Sometimes just too busy and can't get out at the time the bird is seen. Yesterday I was very interested in this one. I drove out to find this little guy. Got to the site and spent a couple hours and of course he never showed himself again. I had to pick Daphne up from her dads house so I had to leave.  I watched and no one else reported seeing it later that day.

This morning I had an early morning dentist appointment so I thought I'd drive over to Nimbus by Koll Wetlands and see if he was around. A couple other birders were there. He finally showed himself and was pretty tame and almost posed for us. At one point he was right down in the gutter of Nimbus Dr. He didn't seem too scared of the cars.

Very pretty little bird. I'm not good at the age thing but some of the birders were saying he was a 1st year bird. How he ended up in Beaverton we don't know.

Yellow-headed Blackbird

I had a chance last year to see a Yellow-headed Blackbird at Fernhill Wetlands. Every time I'd go out there it wouldn't be around. I was disappointed when it was gone.

Yesterday it was reported by Steve Nord that he saw 3 Yellow-headed Blackbirds at Jackson Bottom Wetlands.....

He gave exact directions where to go. So I went out to find them. So of course they weren't there at the same spot. I sat there for a while. I started heading over to Pintail Pond. Thought I'd take a shot of finding the Shrike.  On a fence was a bunch of Red-winged Blackbirds.  Took a look through the bins and there were the 3 Yellow-heads mixed in with the other blackbirds. Now how to get a photo without spooking them off. Well they spooked. I watched and they flew into a big tree by Pintail Pond.  I slowly walked up to where the tree was and got a couple fairly good shots.  I still feel a need to prove my sitings with photos.

So here they are.

Never saw the Shrike. But after all tomorrow is another day.