May 2014 – Kiger Mustang Special Area, Oregon

The abundant dead Junipers in this area provide great habitat for cavity-nesting birds like this Mountain Bluebird.

Mountain Bluebird

May 2014 – Champoeg State Park, Oregon
The Western Bluebirds in Champoeg State Park are likely some of the more well-known and well-photographed of their kind. All the birds I’ve seen there have leg bands, which means they were likely raised as chicks in this same location. There are nesting boxes set up all around the park, some not far from the walking paths. As a result, these normally skittish birds can be relatively tolerant of people.

Western Bluebird – Male

Western Bluebird populations have been declining in recent years due to a loss of habitat, and more to competition from more aggressive birds like the European Starling. But, at least this pair is trying to keep the species going… I, um… caught them in the act of making more Bluebirds (photo not shown, as this is a G-rated website)

Western Bluebird – Female

Hermit Thrush

April 2013 – Hillsboro, Oregon

Sometimes you just don’t know who might be visiting your own backyard. These are common birds, but they’re a bit secretive and camera-shy. I was only able to click a couple of frames before this one fluttered away.

Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush

February 2013 – Central highlands of Costa Rica

This little thrush perched on a post along the trail for a few moments… They seemed fairly common in open areas in the highland areas of Costa Rica.

Varied Thrush

December 2012 – Eugene, OR

These are normally very skittish birds. Their song is familiar to anyone who has spent time in northwest forests – a series of alternating tones, each sung after a pause of a few seconds. But, they don’t make themselves visible very often. The pair pictured here was bucking that trend a bit… perhaps it was the winter that made them less apt to fly at the first sight of people?

Varied Thrush

This female was a bit less bold than the male… both in personality and in coloration. She generally hung-back in the undergrowth.

Varied Thrush

Another view of the male, to see the coloration on his back. These birds are visually similar to one of our most common birds – the American Robin. They’re both thrushes of about the same size, and have similar colors.

Wood Thrush

July 2012 – Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin

This Wood Thrush was nesting right along a hiking trail – in fact, the “Ice Age Trail” in central-northern Wisconsin. I was a little lucky to even notice the bird, as it was well-hidden, and quiet. I just happened to turn my head at the right time. It appeared very wary, but never fled the nest.

Swainson's Thrush

May 2012 – Harris Beach State Park, Oregon

The song of the Swainson’s Thrush has a lot more flourish than the bird. It’s like an uphill spiraling warbling gurgle. The birds are generally very shy, and only somewhat visible in the dawn/dusk hours. It was quite dark when I spotted this one, and he only lingered for a few seconds. Not the best photo, but it’ll have to do for now.

Townsend's Solitaire

July 2005 – Yocum Ridge, Mt. Hood, OR

There were a number of Townsend’s Solitaires roaming the alpine landscape high on Mt. Hood’s south face. This was as good of a photo as I could muster that day.