All photos copyright John Rakestraw unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.
Tag Archives: Pied-billed Grebe
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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Random Ramblings
Most of my recent outings have been while leading trips or in dreary conditions, both of which limit any photo opportunities. So here are some dribs and drabs from recent weeks. This Black-tailed Deer and her fawn were at Cooper … Continue reading
Spring in the wetlands
Nesting season continues to progress. While some songbirds have already fledged a batch of babies, other species are just getting under way. This Pied-billed Grebe was sitting on a nest at Commonwealth Lake. Blue-winged Teal can be hard to find … Continue reading
Koll Center Wetlands
A couple of Black-crowned Night-Herons has been hanging out at Koll Center Wetlands recently. This spot is strictly parking lot birding (pull up, get out of the car, and scan the pond), but it has attracted more than it’s share … Continue reading
Commonwealth Lake
Now that the snow has melted, the weather has turned to freezing temps and a howling east wind. Bleah. Despite the lousy conditions, I bundled up and took a walk around Commonwealth Lake. The park was hosting a large flock … Continue reading
Posted in OR Birding Sites
Tagged Gadwall, Great Egret, Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-billed Gull
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Random Images
Life and inclement weather have conspired against me of late, so my outings have been far too few. But here are some photos from recent weeks. A trip to Broughton Beach provided nice looks at a small flock of Horned … Continue reading
Posted in behavior
Tagged Anna's Hummingbird, Bushtit, Eurasian Wigeon, Horned Lark, Pied-billed Grebe, Red-breasted Nuthatch, vegan suet
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Commonwealth Lake Park
Commonwealth Lake Park is your typical urban duck pond nestled in the Portland suburb of Beaverton. Such parks are certainly not the places to go if you seek a wilderness experience, but they can be excellent places to study waterfowl … Continue reading
Tualatin River NWR
I made a quick visit to Tualatin River NWR in the afternoon heat. One of the main trails is closed off until this young Bald Eagle decides to leave the nest. Despite the flock of European Starlings cheering him on, … Continue reading
Water Babies, Tualatin River NWR
There are lots of youngsters in the wetlands these days. We haven’t had any rain in July, so water levels are dropping, concentrating wetland animals into smaller areas. This is a Spotted Sandpiper in that awkward adolescent stage. The same … Continue reading
Klamath Basin
Here are some photos from a recent trip to the Klamath Basin. Eared Grebes are common in the wetlands along State Line Road (Birding Oregon p. 116). The second bird from the left is still in basic plumage, while all … Continue reading
Posted in mammals, nesting, OR Birding Sites
Tagged Bald Eagle, Eared Grebe, Klamath Basin, Mule Deer, Pied-billed Grebe, Semipalmated Plover
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