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
Mountain Bluebird
Brewer’s Sparrow
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
Black Tern
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
Eastern Kingbird
May 2014 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
I was a bit surprised to see this bird… at the very western edge of its range. I’d always associated them with, well… the eastern part of the US. But, here it is, and apparently well documented as it has a band on its leg.
Eastern Kingbird
Franklin’s Gull
May 2014 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
Yes, it’s a pretty blurry photo, but the only one I have of this relatively uncommon bird.
Franklin’s Gull
Forster’s Tern
May 2014 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
A Forster’s Tern glides over the wetlands… Not much else to say about this one.
Forster’s Tern
Black-headed Grosbeak
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
Clark’s Grebe
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
Bobolink
May 2014 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
This area is at the very western edge of the Bobolink’s range, but here they are… in a particular marshy meadow not far from Frenchglenn, they appear to be particularly happy.
Bobolink
Vesper Sparrow
May 2014 – Pueblo Mountains, Oregon
This is a pretty crummy/blurry photo of a Vesper Sparrow, but the only one I’ve managed up to this point… so up it goes! There are a number of sparrows common to this area. I didn’t see a whole lot of Vesper Sparrows, but they were obviously mixed-in.
Vesper Sparrow