All photos copyright John Rakestraw unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.
Category Archives: mammals
Smith and Bybee Wetlands
I went out to Smith and Bybee Wetlands in north Portland. This site can be a little challenging to bird, as the noise from Marine Drive makes it difficult to hear bird song and other natural sounds. But as you … Continue reading
Still Waiting for the Birds
Spring migration has not really picked up yet. There are a few new avian arrivals, but birding remains pretty slow. But, as I often say, there is always something to look at, so here are some non-avian images. The Beaver … Continue reading
Late Winter Ramblings
Birding has been rather slow lately, as many of the winter residents have moved on and the spring migrants haven’t arrived yet. The local nesters, like this Spotted Towhee are becoming more active and vocal. A remnant of last autumn’s … Continue reading
Fernhill Wetlands
Despite morning temperatures near freezing, signs of spring are appearing at Fernhill Wetlands. This Black Phoebe was posing with some colorful buds. The winter sparrows, like this Fox Sparrow, are still around. Waterfowl numbers are dropping as northern breeders start … Continue reading
Posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites, seasonal movements
Tagged Black Phoebe, Fox Sparrow, Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail, Nutria, Red-tailed Hawk
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Fernhill Wetlands
A recent foggy morning found me at Fernhill Wetlands. Birding was a little slow overall, but there were a few neat finds. These were two of about 100 Long-billed Dowitchers out that morning. Black Phoebe has become an expected species … Continue reading
Posted in mammals, seasonal movements
Tagged Black Phoebe, Harlan's Hawk, Long-billed Dowitcher, Nutria
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Into the Woods
We left Portland for ten days to escape the fireworks which terrify our dogs. We stayed on a farm in the Coast Range in Benton County. The birds where we stayed were typical Coast Range birds which stayed high in … Continue reading
Fernhill Wetlands
Summer is settling in at Fernhill Wetlands. The birds that are here now are probably nesting. Always a treat this far west is this handsome Blue-winged Teal. I hope he has a mate sitting on eggs somewhere. Just as lovely, … Continue reading
Still Waiting for Spring – Jackson Bottom
Jackson Bottom is another site that I can visit during the pandemic, assuming I get there early. The big push of spring migration has not hit, but you can tell it’s so close. Tree Swallows have been back for quite … Continue reading
Fernhill Wetlands
During the current pandemic, it is not always easy to visit favorite birding sites. I have found that if I go very early, I can get some good birding in at Fernhill Wetlands without encountering too many folks. (Of course, … Continue reading
False Spring in the Wetlands
It is still very much winter in western Oregon, but February always brings stirrings of spring. Many birds, like this Red-winged Blackbird, are warming up their songs in preparation for setting up nesting territories. Male Anna’s Hummingbirds always seem to … Continue reading