Egret Rookery

In my previous post, I described an Egret Roost in Coos County.   Dave Irons of 'Bird Fellow' corrected me, (Dave is someone whose constructive criticisms I appreciate immensely!) that this is a Rookery, not a roost.  Since the initial post, I have continued to monitor the rookery nearly every week.  Further, I was contacted by Karen Hussey of the Klamath Bird Conservancy, requesting the location of the previously unknown rookery.  After a couple of emails, Karen informed me that members of the conservancy had performed an official count, finding 115 Great Egret nests and 50 Cormorant nests!!  At this location, I have been privileged to experience the sights, sounds and acts of nature that were beyond my wildest dreams.  I am truly humbled and grateful for what I have  experienced there. 

I have watched as the Egrets built nests only to have them stolen by Double Crested squatters, then without a second thought, they start a new nest.  Seemingly not to care, "oh well, just get busy building another one".... 

I have watched the not so elegant, not so graceful act of procreation, 70 feet up in a tree, with wind howling, swaying the trees with Cormorants barking in the background. Two spindly legged, four foot tall birds, one trying to balance atop the other in an attempt to carry on the chain of life. 

Then last night, I finished work about 6:45pm and decided to go visit the Egrets.  I was nearly brought to tears when I saw the fruits of their labor.  Two, sopping wet, ugly as all get out, squawking chicks begging Momma for a meal.  Their heads so heavy they could barely hold them up, their necks not yet strong enough to support the weight.

Here are the images of the pair mating, then of the result. I hope you enjoy the captured moments, as much as I enjoyed experiencing them.

Egret Roost

Here are some photos of a Great Egret roost taken April 15, near Coos Bay Oregon.  We can't wait until the young hatch and we can get some shot of them.  Egret chicks are definitely not among natures most beautiful creatures!  They are just ugly enough to be irresistible!  We counted at least 30 nests, with two birds per nest.  It was quite a sight.

Buffle Couple

In my travels for work, I am blessed to have the opportunity to visit Oregon Central and southern coast.  My territory takes me weekly through the Lane, Douglas and Coos County's coastal areas which contain some of the finest birding opportunities anywhere in the state.  Coos Counties "Winter Lake" surrounding Coquille Oregon is the winter home to large numbers of waterfowl, Bald Eagles, Red Shouldered Hawks and many species of avian eye candy. 

Today I was visiting customers in North Bends "East Bay" area where there are a number of sloughs and creeks.  After finishing up there, I noticed two Bufflehead's swimming in circles and head bobbing in a cute little courtship display.  As soon as I reached for the Camera off they went, obviously a little shy!  These are the only shots I was able to get.

Raptoring, 2/26/2011

While raptoring in Linn County this afternoon, I shot some images that I could use a little help on.  What I believe a shot were a Short Eared Owl and a Kriders Red Tail.  these were both shot in one of our hotspots near where Interstate 5 and Diamond Hill Road intersect.  The Owl was about a mile east on Diamond Hill and the hawk a mile northwest of the intersection, on a road named Rowland Road.  please give me any and all comments on these birds.  The Owl images were taken at distance of approximately 200 yards.  The frontal Hawk images were taken at about 100 feet, the back side shots at closer to 300 yards.  Due to very poor lighting and wrestling with a new (used) replacement for my old E500 Olympus, these by no means my best quality shots!

Ankeny, 1/22/2011

Just wanted to share a couple shots from Ankeny Wildlife Refuge.  The weather was beautiful, and birds were plentiful.  The birds of mention were and immature Bald Eagle hell bent on scaring the bejeebers out of the Ducks and Geese ant Pintail Marsh.  Also several Tundra Swan were enjoying the sun.

At Eagle Marsh, the Northern Shrike was still hanging around and allowed me another opportunity to take a couple shots before it took of to the west across the road.