Amber Blue Dasher
Aug. 9, 2017
Common Black Saddlebag
July 24, 2017
Widow Skimmer
Aug. 9, 2017
Amber Blue-eyed Darner ?
Eight Spotted Skimmer
Flame Skimmer
Whitetail Skimmer
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Dragonflies and Damselflies
I've been stuck inside a lot. Due to my health I haven't been able to do much birding. I did discover Dragonflies. They are really fascinating. I've been able to go to local parks and ponds for short walks. Some of my photos came out pretty good.
Amber Blue Dasher
Aug. 9, 2017
Common Black Saddlebag
July 24, 2017
Widow Skimmer
Aug. 9, 2017
Amber Blue-eyed Darner ?
Eight Spotted Skimmer
Flame Skimmer
Whitetail Skimmer
Amber Blue Dasher
Aug. 9, 2017
Common Black Saddlebag
July 24, 2017
Widow Skimmer
Aug. 9, 2017
Amber Blue-eyed Darner ?
Eight Spotted Skimmer
Flame Skimmer
Whitetail Skimmer
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Birds After Surgery
My time to go birding became very limited. My back kept getting worse.
I jumped through all the hoops Medicare required of me. It included Physical Therapy, MRI, Steroid injections and pills. Finally decided to go with the surgery. Recuperation was hard. It's been three weeks and the pain is still pretty bad. Evidently having diabetes can make recovery take longer.
Doctor told me to do short walks. Took one short walk half way around Commonwealth Lake. I knew there was a Say's Phoebe spotted there so I walked where I knew it had been spotted. And there it was. Made my day. Just going outside was a blessing and the Say's was a bonus. After the day I was there it was gone.
Felt pretty good after the walk. The pain down my leg was gone but I still had the pain in my back from the actual surgery.
I waited a few more days and Les took me for a short drive out to Fernhill Wetlands. A Clark's Grebe had been reported. I got about 1/4 of the way around (to the second bridge) From the bridge I could spot the Grebe. It was a long way off but we could both see it. Took some photos that were not the best but showed the grebe well enough. It was the first beautiful day we had in a long time. I wish I could have stayed out all day but I was hurting and had to go home and rest.
I'm sure it doesn't sound like much to most people but it was a big adventure for me.
I jumped through all the hoops Medicare required of me. It included Physical Therapy, MRI, Steroid injections and pills. Finally decided to go with the surgery. Recuperation was hard. It's been three weeks and the pain is still pretty bad. Evidently having diabetes can make recovery take longer.
Doctor told me to do short walks. Took one short walk half way around Commonwealth Lake. I knew there was a Say's Phoebe spotted there so I walked where I knew it had been spotted. And there it was. Made my day. Just going outside was a blessing and the Say's was a bonus. After the day I was there it was gone.
Felt pretty good after the walk. The pain down my leg was gone but I still had the pain in my back from the actual surgery.
I waited a few more days and Les took me for a short drive out to Fernhill Wetlands. A Clark's Grebe had been reported. I got about 1/4 of the way around (to the second bridge) From the bridge I could spot the Grebe. It was a long way off but we could both see it. Took some photos that were not the best but showed the grebe well enough. It was the first beautiful day we had in a long time. I wish I could have stayed out all day but I was hurting and had to go home and rest.
I'm sure it doesn't sound like much to most people but it was a big adventure for me.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Sora Finally
Last year I finally saw and heard a Sora. These guys are really fast going in and out of the reeds in the marshy areas. Didn't get a photo but put it on my life list.
This last week I decided to see if I could do a little walk out at Fernhill. I only went part of the way. Not even half way around. Had to stop and rest my leg and back. I hit the new marsh area and saw him moving around and heard it. Stopped to talk to another birder (Steve Nord) While we were talking the little guy/gal came out. It was long enough for me to get a quick picture. I always feel better once I have a decent photo of my life birds.
This last week I decided to see if I could do a little walk out at Fernhill. I only went part of the way. Not even half way around. Had to stop and rest my leg and back. I hit the new marsh area and saw him moving around and heard it. Stopped to talk to another birder (Steve Nord) While we were talking the little guy/gal came out. It was long enough for me to get a quick picture. I always feel better once I have a decent photo of my life birds.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Northern Shrike from Febuary
A new life bird for me.
Went out to Jackson Bottom to see if I could find the Northern Shrike that was reported.
I had seen photos and thought it was the size of a sparrow. When I saw it fly into a tree I was surprised. It is actually larger. More like the size of a jay. It was pretty
exciting. Got a couple good shots.
Went out to Jackson Bottom to see if I could find the Northern Shrike that was reported.
I had seen photos and thought it was the size of a sparrow. When I saw it fly into a tree I was surprised. It is actually larger. More like the size of a jay. It was pretty
exciting. Got a couple good shots.
Little Stint Medford Oregon
Took a trip around Oregon. We were going to go to California but had to cancel that trip. As it turned out I was not in good shape and would have been limited. Les also wasn't well. We decided to take a short trip around Oregon. We spent some great time at the coast for 3 days.
We went down to Grants Pass and saw the grand kids. Planned a day to go into Medford to "visit"
"In N Out". That was great. We took the back road back to GP. All the years we lived in GP I wanted to take the old Kirkland rd to try and get a photo of Table Rock. We were driving along and too many wires to get a good shot. I noticed a couple people with a scope. Of course I made Les stop. It had to be birders. I didn't know it at the time but it was Kirkland Ponds. I had to go between barb wire to get through. Les decided to stay in the car and watch from a distance. It was a warm day.
I had the privilege of meeting Edith and Jim. They were two old time birders with tons of knowledge. I enjoyed talking with them, they taught me so much. They were looking for a "Little Stint" that had been reported there. I had never seen one and didn't realize what a find it was till they educated me. (l found out later some from Portland came down to see it) The bird was located and it was so exciting to see their joy. Neither had a camera so I took some photos. My camera did ok but the bird was just too far away. I got a couple photos I could share with them.
As we were leaving Edith (82 yrs) started to stumble. She scared me. She seemed very weak. Jim is up in age too. Once Les saw there was a problem he helped get her through the fence and over to Jim's truck. She went down to her knees and Les got her into the truck. I wanted to call an ambulance but she wouldn't have it. We got her to drink water and she just wanted to go home. Later I emailed her some photos. (Others had better photos than mine but she wanted some from when they saw the bird) She replied with thanks and explained she had been busy on a garage sale in the morning and Jim had called her with news of the stint and wanted to know if she wanted to go. She hadn't eaten lunch and not much to drink. I think she was in the first stages of heat stroke. It's good she got in the truck when she did. She said she had never done that before. She usually has her bag with water and food but left in a hurry. She said not a mistake she'd make again.
Here are the bad photos I got.
I did get a shot of Table Rock Later
We went down to Grants Pass and saw the grand kids. Planned a day to go into Medford to "visit"
"In N Out". That was great. We took the back road back to GP. All the years we lived in GP I wanted to take the old Kirkland rd to try and get a photo of Table Rock. We were driving along and too many wires to get a good shot. I noticed a couple people with a scope. Of course I made Les stop. It had to be birders. I didn't know it at the time but it was Kirkland Ponds. I had to go between barb wire to get through. Les decided to stay in the car and watch from a distance. It was a warm day.
I had the privilege of meeting Edith and Jim. They were two old time birders with tons of knowledge. I enjoyed talking with them, they taught me so much. They were looking for a "Little Stint" that had been reported there. I had never seen one and didn't realize what a find it was till they educated me. (l found out later some from Portland came down to see it) The bird was located and it was so exciting to see their joy. Neither had a camera so I took some photos. My camera did ok but the bird was just too far away. I got a couple photos I could share with them.
As we were leaving Edith (82 yrs) started to stumble. She scared me. She seemed very weak. Jim is up in age too. Once Les saw there was a problem he helped get her through the fence and over to Jim's truck. She went down to her knees and Les got her into the truck. I wanted to call an ambulance but she wouldn't have it. We got her to drink water and she just wanted to go home. Later I emailed her some photos. (Others had better photos than mine but she wanted some from when they saw the bird) She replied with thanks and explained she had been busy on a garage sale in the morning and Jim had called her with news of the stint and wanted to know if she wanted to go. She hadn't eaten lunch and not much to drink. I think she was in the first stages of heat stroke. It's good she got in the truck when she did. She said she had never done that before. She usually has her bag with water and food but left in a hurry. She said not a mistake she'd make again.
Here are the bad photos I got.
I did get a shot of Table Rock Later
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Virginia Rail photo finally
I have been on many walks with groups where I've heard Virginia Rails.
I was finally able to see one.
I sure thought they were bigger than they are. I think I need to read the description on the birds a little closer. I was looking through the reeds of grass expecting to see a large bird, maybe the size of
a duck and here comes a little bird. I almost didn't see it. It was one of those birds you want a photo of yet they are hard to pin down.
Very happy for the shot I got. Not the best but good enough for me.
I was finally able to see one.
I sure thought they were bigger than they are. I think I need to read the description on the birds a little closer. I was looking through the reeds of grass expecting to see a large bird, maybe the size of
a duck and here comes a little bird. I almost didn't see it. It was one of those birds you want a photo of yet they are hard to pin down.
Very happy for the shot I got. Not the best but good enough for me.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
New Life Bird
Finally got a new Life Bird. It's been a while since I've had a new one.
We lost Linda yesterday and I needed to get out. Went to a new park in Hillsboro
with a small birding group. We found a Sharp-shinned Hawk. He was sitting with his back to us.
I wish he would have turned around but some times they don't cooperate with you but thrilled just the same.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
I had to go back to Jackson Bottom to return some binoculars. I had heard about some Garter Snakes that were residing there. Here's one of the guys. They are so fascinating to watch. As long as I know what kind of snake it is they don't scare me.
We lost Linda yesterday and I needed to get out. Went to a new park in Hillsboro
with a small birding group. We found a Sharp-shinned Hawk. He was sitting with his back to us.
I wish he would have turned around but some times they don't cooperate with you but thrilled just the same.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
I had to go back to Jackson Bottom to return some binoculars. I had heard about some Garter Snakes that were residing there. Here's one of the guys. They are so fascinating to watch. As long as I know what kind of snake it is they don't scare me.
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