All photos copyright John Rakestraw unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.
Tag Archives: American Wigeon
Winter Waterfowl
Waterfowl seem to dominate the birding scene in the Willamette Valley in winter. Year-round residents, like this Pied-billed Grebe, are joined by a host of winter migrants. My camera hates white birds, but managed to capture this Common Merganser pretty … Continue reading
Posted in seasonal movements
Tagged American Wigeon, Eurasian Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck
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Killin Wetlands
Another freakishly sunny autumn day took me to Killin Wetlands. This park was developed fairly recently, with a nice parking lot and some informational signage. The trails don’t get very close to the water, so a scope would be useful. … Continue reading
Dreary February
February weather can be the most challenging, with cold temperatures and frequent rain. We desperately need the moisture so I am not complaining, but it is harder to get motivated to get out into the cold and damp. I continue … Continue reading
Posted in seasonal movements
Tagged American Wigeon, Killdeer, Red-winged Blackbird, Wilson's Snipe
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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
Smith and Bybee Wetlands
I walked through Smith and Bybee Wetlands after an unsuccessful gull chase in northwest Portland. Here are a few highlights. A pair of River Otters were in the slough. It is always a treat to see this species. There were … Continue reading
Waterfowl Class
I led my waterfowl class on a field trip to Sauvie Island and Dawson Creek. We had a few big misses (Gadwall and Wood Duck) but the diversity was pretty good. At Wapato Access Greenway we found some Dusky Canada … Continue reading
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, 13 November 2013
The weather has entered its dark and dreary pattern, typical for Portland in late autumn. This makes for dark grainy photos, but here are a few shots from Crystal Springs in southeast Portland. Steller’s Jay, looking all artsy among the … Continue reading
Posted in OR Birding Sites
Tagged American Coot, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Canada Goose, Crystal Springs, Steller's Jay, Wood Duck
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Dawson Creek
Nala and I went out to Dawson Creek Park in Hillsboro to look for a Rusty Blackbird reported the day before. This site, a private park associated with the office park behind the public library, is a manicured park with … Continue reading
Posted in OR Birding Sites, rarities
Tagged American Kestrel, American Wigeon, Cackling Goose, Dawson Creek, Rusty Blackbird, Wood Duck
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Westmoreland Park, 2/27
As spring approaches, the numbers and diversity at Portland’s Westmoreland Park are starting to wain. The winter gull flock is down to Glaucous-winged X Western hybrids and two Herring Gulls. While there is no shortage of white-cheeked geese, there were … Continue reading
Eurasian and American Wigeons
It’s always nice when similar species pose side by side for direct comparison. These two wigeons, Eurasian on the left, American on the right, were engaged in some synchronized grazing. The female Eurasian Wigeon is a warm brown color, compared … Continue reading