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.

New Year, New Life Bird!

Our trip to Ankeny NWR, on January 9th offered us a new year of birding and a new life bird.  Upon arriving at Eagle Marsh, I noticed a small bird on a notification sign.  Something I love to photograph.  Anytime a bird participates in civil disobedience, I thrill at the chance to catch it in the act! Todays "catch", was a Northern Shrike.  A first for Tracey and I.  How fun to start the year off with a lifer!  I studied and studied before finally feeling comfortable calling it a "Northern".  I am quite good at making myself look foolish when it comes to identification. I always miss something.  The hooked bill gave this one away and I am fairly confident I have not again, shown myself to be the fool.  I hope you enjoy these shots.  Not perfect due to poor lighting and aging equipment.  but here they are!

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.