A colony of Purple Martins patrols a stretch of wetland at Fern Ridge Reservoir near Eugene, Oregon. This one is immature… it’ll take on the more distinctive purple color later in life.
Purple Martin
A few of these were hanging out at Fernhill.
Greater White-fronted Goose
These numerous birds are seen throughout the south-central Alaskan coast.
Black-legged Kittiwake
September 2014 – Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Largest swan in the world… A pair was floating through misty waters on a lake in the Kenai highlands.
Trumpeter Swan
July 2015 – Fernhill Wetlands, Forest Grove, Oregon
These are very skittish birds… I was happy to even get this quick fly-by.
Belted Kingfisher
September 2014 – Near Valdez, Alaska
This one stayed put for all of 10 seconds before spotting me & fluttering away.
Belted Kingfisher
August 2015 – Sierra Nevada Highlands
I’m still not 100% certain this is a Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, but it seems to be an immature bird. Those can be pretty hard to identify, but the list of suspects in an environment like this is small. (Alpine terrain above 10,000ft elevation).
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch
May 2014 – Kiger Mustang Special Area, Oregon
Brewer’s Sparrows are fairly common in the desert sagebrush. But, they’re much more easily heard than seen… or photographed.
Brewer’s Sparrow
May 2014 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
Dozens of Black Terns were skimming across the water at this small lake in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. It was a challenge to get even these fleeting photos, as the birds were moving pretty fast.
Black Tern
Black Tern
May 2014 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge – Oregon
I believe this is a female (young males look similar), perched for a moment in the Malheur wetlands.
Black-headed Grosbeak
May 2014 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
Finally, a much improved photo of a Clark’s Grebe. This one was floating with a few of its brothers (other Clarks Grebes) and cousins (Western Grebes) in a lake in the Malheur Wetlands.
Clark’s Grebe
May 2012 – Klamath Basin
I had seen dozens of Western Grebes on this day, but only spotted one Clark’s Grebe… he’s the one in the middle of these two Western Grebes, trying to blend in. It’s not the best picture, but it’s the best I have for now.
Clark’s Grebe