Clark’s Nutcracker

August 2010 – Tam MacArthur Rim, Oregon Cascades

On this particular visit, I saw more Clark’s Nutcrackers than I’ve seen the rest of my life. Dozens of these birds darted among the trees, and soared down the cliffsides. They have the curious habit of finding the very tip of the tallest tree around, and perching on top of it.

Clark's Nutcracker

Clark’s Nutcracker

Hairy Woodpecker

May 2010 – Tillamook State Forest, Oregon

The larger cousin to the Downy Woodpecker is quite a bit more shy. I couldn’t get too close for this shot… I’ll hope for a better one some day.

Hairy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Ruddy Duck

February 2016 – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge

I see these from time to time, but they almost always seem to be sleeping the day away far in the middle of the water. This one is a bit drab with Winter coloring, but not too bad…

Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

February 2016 – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

I was pretty excited to get this shot… I think this requires more luck than anything else. This guy only hung around for a few seconds.

March 2013 – Hillsboro, Oregon

These are such fast and active little birds… I’m surprised I was able to get even this mediocre shot. You can just make out a bit of the ruby crown on the back of the head.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

 

 

 

 

 

December 2012 – Eugene, Oregon

These are extremely active little birds, especially in winter where they have to fight for every morsel of food they can turn-up. Not the best photo here, but the best I could muster after a half-hour of tracking this one through a hedge.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Harlequin Duck

 May 2014 – Pistol River, Oregon

These Harlequin Ducks were hanging out near the tidepools at Pistol River.

Harlequin Duck

Harlequin Duck

July 2012 – Olympic National Park

Harlequin Duck

Harlequin Duck

This is a female Harlequin Duck – flapping its wings as part of a preening process on a rock in the Quinault River in Olympic National Park. These ducks nest along tumbling mountain rapids, and spend their winters out to sea.

Pigeon Guillemot

June 2014 – Pistol River, Oregon

Not sure what it is about the Pistol River and these particular birds, but it seems like a good place to see them.

Pigeon Gullimot

Pigeon Guillemot

May 2012 – Pistol River, Oregon

Not the greatest photo, but the closest I could get to this pair of Pigeon Guillemots. These are very common birds at the coast, but spend much of their time far out to sea.

Pigeon Guillemot

Pigeon Guillemot

Western Gull

May 2014 – Central Oregon coast

While Western Gulls are common, scenes like this are rare.

Western Gull

Western Gull

November 2012 – Bandon, Oregon

Just another photo of a Western Gull, which I like… A wave crashed behind this gull, and it was just trying to keep its balance when I was able to get this.

Western Gull

Western Gull

May 2012 – Pistol River, Oregon

This Western Gull was scraping the back of an old crab shell – looking for any last morsel left behind… and not above trying to eat the shell itself. Maybe there was something left – a number of other birds were hovering nearby.

Western Gull

Western Gull

November 2009 – Bandon, OR

A Western Gull takes a rest on some rocks along the beach. This bird let me get pretty close. It didn’t look injured, just really comfortable, and not interested in flying away if it didn’t have to.

Western Gull

Western Gull

Pacific Loon

February 2015 – Brookings, Oregon

Just off the jetty, Pacific Loons get about as close to shore as they ever do.

Pacific Loon

Pacific Loon

May 2013 – Cape Lookout, Oregon

The Cape Lookout hugs a cliff hundreds of feet above the Pacific Ocean. Far below, and maybe a mile out to sea, these Pacific Loons were going about their business.

Pacific Loon

Pacific Loon

Ring-necked Parakeet

November 2015 – Hyde Park, London

These birds are spreading rapidly throughout England… some even in larger colonys. Interesting to see what one thinks is a warm-climate bird make a go of it in colder regions. I suppose they’re smart & adaptable… and they have feathers to stay warm.

Ring-necked Parakeet

Ring-necked Parakeet

Egyptian Goose

November 2015 – Hyde Park, London

These birds were introduced to the UK a long time ago. They look a bit mutty to me, but I suppose the look is unique at least.

Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose