Prairie Falcon

While raptoring Linn County on 11/20/2010, Tracey and I stumbled upon a Prairie Falcon, perched on a utility pole.  This was an exciting find, but what made it better, was that this one was located less than two miles from where I had sighted my life Prairie Falcon in January of 2009!  This years bird, is smaller than the one we saw in 2009, which makes me wonder if we are developing a population in this area.  I'm sure there are lots of folks out there smarter than I who would have thoughts on this.  I will be checking the same area more frequently this winter to see if I can find more in the same area.

This years bird was much more skittish than the one I shot in 2009, and as such, these are not the best shots or even nearly as nice as the shots of the 2009 bird.  Still, I enjoy seeing them, shooting and showing the pictures of local oddities like this Prairie Falcon.  I have attached a link after the photos, to the location map in google maps for those of you interested in getting a look at the bird for yourselves. Good luck and good birding!

 Prairie Falcon, Google Map

Leucistic Canada Goose

On October 17, 2010 Tracey and I were at Ankeny (again) to view the incoming flocks of migratory waterfowl.  We knew there would be plenty of Canada Geese in their many varieties, we were hoping for interesting Ducks and maybe a raptor or two!  When we arrived at Pintail Marsh, there were several birders already checking things out.  Right off the bat I noticed what I ( and a couple others) thought was a snow goose among a group of a hundred or so Canada geese.  When I scoped it a bit closer I was pleased to see a chin strap and slightly darker head identifying it as a Leucistic Canada Goose!  The other birders then verified my finding on closer inspection.  I had "my" big 400mm lens on the E-500, but it was still far enough away that the images are of fairly poor quality.  However they are clear enough to see what the bird is.

For a good description of Leucism in animals, follow this link.  Wikipedia - Leucistic

A quick trip to Ridgefield

Well yes, I do know that Ridgefield is in the state of Washington.  But it's my blog, and as I've said at times I will break even my own rules!

We had to take a Saturday trip to Portland Oregon, on business recently, and since it was the boss's gas(!!) I decided we were close enough to take a quick trip into Washington to see if all the hub-bub was warranted  about Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. And let me tell you , it was definitely something to brag on!

After a couple side trips due to a poorly maintained memory, we finally stopped, bought a map and asked a local where I might find Ridgefield.  From Portland "drive north on I-5 until you see the sign that says Ridgefield NWR"  And it is really that simple!  The best way for you to get a preview of this amazing place is to first visit;

Friends of Ridgefield 

This is a great site with all the information you need to plan a trip to the refuge.  We will be going back for a two day visit soon, but a day trip is not going to disappoint you!  Here a a few of the shots I  took during our visit.

 The marsh as you start the auto tour loop.

One of the beautiful backwater sloughs.

A few of the natives, there are close to a go-zillion

western pond turtles and bull frogs at the refuge!

How the heck???

Great Blue Heron

A Wood Duck admiring his reflection!

Cinnamon Teals were abundant this day.

A Marsh Wren sang us a tune.

Male Ruddy Duck

Yellow Headed Blackbirds kept their distance.

A first bird for us were some Gadwalls.

A lovely pair of Wood Ducks!

The Red Wing Balckbirds were everywhere!

A juvenile Red Wing.

We had a great time at Ridgefield, the staff was friendly, it was a beautiful day and the birds were plentiful!  I hope you get the chance to visit here someday so you can see for yourself this very much wild place near the big city!  Keep in mind, READ THE SIGNS!  In winter migration months, you are restricted to your vehicle, in the spring and summer there are trails to walk and hike, but there are still areas that are off limits.  There is a $3.00 fee to drive the auto tour route and there is an recorded audible portable tour guide available during the hours that the entry booth is open. 

Bad things happen to good birds

Sometimes good birds have bad things happen.  This time it was a Bald Eagle losing his life.  Here is a link to a story on our local news about an adult male Bald Eagle that evidently made contact with two high voltage lines at one time.  Killing the once beautiful and majestic bird of prey.  It's sad that what we use and take for granted in our daily lives can end life in such a tragic way.  When it takes takes the life of an animal, especially one as important to Americans as the Bald Eagle, we humans become noticeably shaken.  Obviously when it takes the life of a human it is far more tragic.  But I doubt the story on the news would have been much longer, had the victim been a human.  I don't quite know if I have an opinion one way or the other as far as whether or not this is a good thing.  Had this been a Red Tail, Turkey Vulture or a Osprey there would probably been have not been so much fuss made.  Here is a news link to the story, and at the end of this post will be some images I shot of a bird that I believe to be this Eagle on a better day.  Pictures shot very near where this eagle died, and the only adult Baldy I've shot in that area.

Bald Eagle News Video

At any rate, I am personally sad to to see this Eagle pass.  I am way too attached to these damn birds (raptors) and the ones like this, whom I have actually shot pictures of, really make it a personal thing for me.  Every time I shoot a raptor, it is as if I've just added it to my family.  I name some of the darn things, and if it is an Osprey, watch out!!  I really get attached!  Plotting the nest, naming the birds after famous couples (real and fictional), naming the chicks, trying to identify them by any method possible.  Yes, I am obsessed. 

Recent Trips

I've neglected things here a little, so today I thought I would just let the birds do the talking.  I have been trying new settings, and new cameras, trying to add a little zip, and a bit of a more crisp image.  Let's just say, it hasn't worked out too well!  I am trying a higher ISO and smaller lens opening, to capture those flight shots with a little better depth of field.  So far, all I've been able to achieve is a much higher level of digital "Noise" in my images.  Thanks to Adobe Lightroom, I've been able to salvage a few shots that are not too embarrassing!

 Cackling Geese At Baskett Slough

My favorite duck, Northern Shoveler.

Male Northern Harrier terrorizing the sheep!

I have to include at least one poop shot!

And of course, a law breaker, fate tempting shot!

I will have another post very soon, I am working on a collection of Harrier shots, linking them together to show their graceful almost mesmerizing hunting flight patterns.  I can't get over the beauty of them in active hunting.  I often miss really great shots opportunities because I can't stop watching the butterfly like motion.

Thanks for looking and check out my newest link, it's to the Idaho Bird Observatory.  I can not wait to visit them sometime.

 

Valentines Weekend 2010

Valentines weekend is always our getaway weekend.  This year, we got away to Bandon, Oregon.  Then we wanted to get away from the crappy weather!  We had a few  windows of opportunity to shoot pics but overall the light was just 'so-so'.  Add to that, my lack of trust in my E-500 body since it's tragic fall on Christmas Eve and the result is disappointing pictures.  It just doesn't seem to focus like it did before it was    knocked over, kind of focuses low and to the right (shooting sportspeople know that lingo!).   Anyone have a new Olympus E3 they'd like to donate to the cause, feel free to drop me an email!

We did however get a few shots worthy of posting! 

With the stormy weather kicking up some very large waves, a group of twenty or so Brown Pelicans decided the bay at Bandon was good place to chill out for a spell!

We took some time satruday and drove to Coos Bay to check out a favorite bird road and got a few shots of a Great Blue Heron, a Belted Kingfisher and (my friend Rebecca's spirit bird) a Great Egret. 

Next time I think I'll call Rebecca and see if she can get the Egrets to not be so damn skittish!  They DO NOT like to sit for a portrait!

Got this series of shots at Ankeny Wildlife Fefuge on February 7th.  These two were about 200 yards out and I was shooting through the brush, but I got the shots.  Won't win any praises for quality but I am tickled to have shot them!

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

And here is the one that got away!

 

Tracey and I spent the last weekend in January, looking for Eagles in Linn County.  This weekend the Eagles were pretty much keeping their distance.  Every time we would find one or two, they were either too far off to shoot, or they would make a hasty retreat as soon as we would stop.  If I didn't know better, I'd swear they know our Mustang when they see it!  We did find eight on Diamond Hill Road.  Four adults and four juveniles, all baldies.  They were keeping a close eye on the flocks of Pintails, Mallards, Canadian Geese, Teals and Gulls in the reclaimed wetland area east of I-5.  We parked across the road from the area, as it a posted no trespass area (don't want to get arrested for trying to shoot a few pics), and got these shots.

We were also treated to quite a show by several female Northern Harriers who were hunting with a high success rate!

  

 

The Harriers were awesome to watch, nothing else is quite as entertaining to watch on the hunt.  We were also given the privilege of shooting this beautiful juvenile bald Eagle.  I am guessing it is a female do to it's size.  This was one very large Eagle, I'd say 36" would not be exaggerating at all, probably even taller.  She sat quietly for me for about ten minutes then got tired of portrait sitting and left.

 

 

 

We were also given the welcome wagon salute by the local Kestrel family. 

  

That look says it all!

And with that, I am outta here!!!

Thanks for looking!