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 chew above is at Tualatin River NWR.
I very rarely get to see Beaver, but Nutria (pictured above) are everywhere, giving me my daily allowance of large aquatic rodents.
It is always a treat to see Black-tailed Deer.
Partially because birding has been slow, and partially because I am preparing for a herping class in May, I have been looking for amphibians and reptiles a lot this spring. This is an Oregon Ensatina, a very small specimen that was about two inches long. Ensatinas are recognized by their proportionally large head and eyes. The Oregon subspecies typically has the yellow coloring at the base of the legs.
This is the smallest Rough-skinned Newt I have seen, about two inches long.
These Long-toed Salamanders were creating some neat shapes.
Northwestern Garter Snake
Two courting Northwestern Garter Snakes. Notice the variation in color pattern, typical of this species.
Western Mosquito Fish
I will have some bird photos next time, promise.
Happy Spring
John Rakestraw 