All photos copyright John Rakestraw unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved
Tag Archives: American Goldfinch
Fernhill Wetlands and Jackson Bottom
We are two weeks into a nasty heat wave in the Portland area. Sunrise is the only time of day when you can bird in any comfort and hope to find any birds active and singing. So I got up … Continue reading
Summer at Sandy River
I made an early morning trip to the Sandy River Delta. This late in the summer, with the weather being so hot, most bird song is limited to the hour or so around dawn. This Willow Flycatcher was singing right … Continue reading
Sandy River Delta, 5 June 2013
I took Nala on a hiking/swimming tour of the Sandy River Delta. We were there at midday, so we missed the dawn chorus, but the common species were still active and vocal. American Goldfinch In the open brushy habitats, you … Continue reading
Posted in OR Birding Sites, reptiles & amphibians
Tagged American Goldfinch, Lazuli Bunting, Red-legged Frog
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Early Spring
This is that long awkward time of year between winter and spring. The big winter flocks have broken up, but the spring migrants haven’t returned yet. As I have said before, there is always something to see, but we have … Continue reading
In the Bleak Midwinter
In honor of the winter solstice, in a month that brought Portland 7″ of rain, here are a few dark grainy images from recent weeks. Orange-crowned Warbler Anna’s Hummingbird Dark-eyed Junco Here is a nice comparison of American (foreground) and … Continue reading
Sandy River Delta 7/20/12
While late July is normally pretty slow birding in the Willamette Valley, the Sandy River Delta continues to be active. The regular nesting species that are local specialties at this site (Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting, Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, etc.) … Continue reading
Lesser Goldfinch
I recently came across a small flock of Lesser Goldfinches. This species has become much more common in the northern Willamette Valley in the past decade. This species really stands out in the winter with their bright yellow underparts and … Continue reading
Posted in identification challenges, species profile
Tagged American Goldfinch, Lesser Goldfinch
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Royal Ave/Fern Ridge Reservoir
Fern Ridge Reservoir is a large impoundment just west of Eugene, OR. Much of the property on the eastern and southern sides of the lake is included in the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area (Birding Oregon, p.89), and some of the … Continue reading
Posted in OR Birding Sites
Tagged American Goldfinch, Black Tern, Fern Ridge Reservoir, Grasshopper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow
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New Arrivals at the Hummingbird Feeder
Rufous Hummingbirds have returned, causing much angst among the resident Anna’s Hummers. This guy caught my eye with his gorget of copper, gold, and green. Notice how the colors change with the angle of the light. Here’s a female rufous, … Continue reading