All photos copyright John Rakestraw unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
In the Bleak Midwinter
Between the holidays, work, and family activities, there has been very little birding in recent weeks. One of the more enjoyable outings was a hike on Larch Mountain. The dogs loved the snow and it was great to get outside … Continue reading
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Taverner’s Cackling Goose vs. Ridgeway’s Cackling Goose
On a recent trip to Commonwealth Lake Park in Beaverton, I had the opportunity to observe Taverner’s and Ridgeway’s Cackling Geese side-by-side. Taverner’s are larger, with pale breasts and slightly longer bills. Ridgeway’s have dark, iridescent breasts (on adults) and … Continue reading
Broughton Beach Horned Larks
Broughton Beach, along the Columbia River, has been a favorite spot in Portland to check for shorebirds, gulls, and waterfowl, depending on the season. On my recent visit I enjoyed watching a family of Horned Larks working the beach. There … Continue reading
Posted in nesting, OR Birding Sites, Uncategorized
Tagged Brewer's Blackbird, Broughton Beach, Horned Lark, Killdeer
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Settling In
I moved at the end of last year. It was not a great distance (less than 100 yards as the finch flies), but I was anxious to see how long it would take the birds to find my feeders. When … Continue reading
AmberGlen Business Park
Several office parks in the Hillsboro area have nice open spaces that attract birds. AmberGlen has a pond next to a large lawn which attracts good numbers of gulls in winter. Most of the gulls on my recent visit were … Continue reading
Tilley Jane Trail
I walked the Tilley Jane trail on the east side of Mt. Hood. This trail starts near the Cooper Spur Ski Area and goes about two and a half miles up to the Tilley Jane Campground. Much of the trail … Continue reading
Random Images
Home improvement projects are keeping me inside lately, so here are a few images from dog walks and the bird feeder. Double-crested Cormorants on the Columbia River California Gull former sturgeon, Columbia River Lesser Goldfinch I only see Purple Finches … Continue reading
Sawhill Ponds, Boulder, CO
I have been visiting family in Boulder, CO, for a few days. At the western edge of the Great Plains, the bird life isn’t that much different from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, with a few nice exceptions. Double-crested Cormorant … Continue reading
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To Bird or to Twitch?
I finally had a few hours to get out birding, and had planned to visit some of the Washington County wetlands. But a Brambling visiting a feeder in Woodburn presented me with a dilemma. Should I spend my birding time … Continue reading
Posted in birding philosophy, rarities, Uncategorized
Tagged Brambling, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker
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