House Wren

May 2012 – Sauvie Island, OR

I don’t usually include 3 similar photos like this, but had a really hard time picking a favorite from this bunch. This bird was particularly focused on signing, along the Oak Island Trail on Sauvie Island.

House Wren

House Wren

White Pelicans

May 2012 – Sauvie Island, Oregon

A flock of White Pelicans circled above me on this morning. These birds were likely passing through on migration. They do breed much further east along the Columbia River in eastern Oregon & Washington.

Turkey Vulture

April 2012 – Catherine Creek, WA

A number of these Turkey Vultures were riding the updrafts caused by the wind smacking into a nearby cliff. They might be ugly to look at, but they are expert fliers.

Canyon Wren

April 2012 – Catherine Creek, WA

This guy was very territorial, and a bit agitated that some interlopers were on his turf.

Canyon Wren

June 2008 – Smith Rock State Park, OR

Sometimes you only get a second for a shot… like this one. Right after I snapped this shot of a Canyon Wren in Smith Rock State Park, OR, it ducked behind the rock, never to be seen again.

Golden-crowned Sparrow

April 2012 – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

These birds can be common in places in the winter. A large group of them were feeding in the open grassy areas. This bird is sporting his more drab winter coloration… and will likely head north to breed very soon.

Spotted Towhee

April 2012 – Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

Spotted Towhees are common lowland birds in this area.

Black-capped Chickadee

April 2012 – Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

A number of chickadees were mostly sticking to the scattered Ponderosa Pines in the forested section of the wildlife refuge.

Ring-necked Duck

April 2012 – Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

This pair of Ring-necked Ducks saw me from a 100 yards away, and were taking no chances… quickly swimming away…

White-breasted Nuthatch

April 2012 – Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

This White-breasted Nuthatch was gathering nesting materials (mostly bits of lichen it seems) just above the Tualatin River.

Bewick's Wren

April 2012 – Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon

This wren was flitting around the branches, singing his heart out. He stopped just for a moment to let me snap his photo.