Ruffed Grouse
August 2012 – Wind River Mountains, WY
Appears to be a Ruffed Grouse to me… these grouse can be difficult to tell apart, but I believe the crest is more apparent in this species.
Ruffed Grouse
Author Archives: jley1
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
August 2012 – Pinedale, WY
I am pretty certain this is a female Calliope Hummingbird. I think this one is because of the location and markings, and the way her wings sat when rested (some other images, which I haven’t posted here).
Calliope Hummingbird
May 2010 – Hell’s Canyon, OR
A couple Calliope Hummingbirds spar in mid-air. This was about at mid-elevation in the canyon, during the lush springtime. These birds will often flare their “beard” as a display.
Calliope Hummingbird
Another photo from the same day. This is a female Calliope… or so I assume given the markings, and proximity to the others.
White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
August 2012 – Wind River Mountains, Wyoming
At first I thought these were some more exotic species, but didn’t take long to realize they were the familiar White-crowned sparrow. This one was chomping on a caterpillar at about 10,000ft elevation.
White-Crowned Sparrow
May 2011 – Blacklock Point, Oregon
I’ve always thought that the White-crowned Sparrow was a lucky bird – saved from an otherwise drab existence by a few brilliant zebra stripes on the crown. If it wasn’t for that I’m not sure they’d get much attention.
This bird was busy eating seeds from some ground-cover plant on top of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, near Blacklock Point, Oregon. He was so unconcerned by my presence that I was able to get within a few feet. In fact, I had to back-up, because my lens couldn’t focus that close!
Pine Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeak
August 2012 – Wind River Mountains, Wyoming
Amazing how different the coloration of these birds can be. I saw a number of these and think they were either females or young birds… It took a bit of deduction to come to the conclusion they were Pine Grosbeaks.
Pine Grosbeak
November 2004 – Mt. Ararat, Washington
This was one of a small flock of Pine Grosbeaks, feeding on beargrass stems that were poking through an autumn snow on the south side of Mt. Rainier.
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
August 2012 – Wind River Mountains, Wyoming
I was surprised to find Wilson’s Warblers picking through the willows at 11,000ft elevation in the Wind River Mountains. These are fairly widespread birds… Apparently, they have no problem with a wide assortment of habitats too.
Wilson's Warbler
May 2008 – Tillamook State Forest, OR
In 2008, I hiked the length of the Wilson River Trail in the Oregon Coast Range. This is a 20.6 mile trail along a section of the Wilson River. It seemed an appropriate place to spot a Wilson’s Warbler. This guy was singing and circling around. I took a 20 minute break from hiking, and managed to get myself deep into a bush near where the bird had been returning. So, I just sat there and waited for him to come back. I had nearly given up, when he came closer than ever and allowed me to snap a few clear shots.
Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull
July 2012 – Chicago, Illinois
This Ring-billed Gull is rather sickly looking… it’s a city bird, and was perched on a railing on the Lake Michigan shorefront. It’s not the best example of its species, but it’s honest all the same.
Ash-throated Flycatcher
July 2012 – Frenchglen, OR
This pair of Ash-throated Flycatchers appeared to be working on a nest, just outside the town of Frenchglen, OR. I’m pretty sure I have the ID correct on these… they’re a little similar to a Western Kingbird, but the tail is brown, and they have more of a crest.
Black-billed Magpie
Black-billed Magpie
July 2012 – Big Indian Gorge, Steens Mtn, OR
There were a few of these – what I believe are young Magpies – causing a ruckus among the trees.
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler
August 2012 – Boise, Idaho
A female, spotted along the Boise River, right in town.
July 2012 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, OR
It took me quite a bit of stalking to get this one mediocre shot of this Yellow Warbler. He was pretty busy stuffing his bill full of bugs, and just didn’t stop at all.
Yellow Warbler
May 2005 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, OR
This Yellow Warbler just paused for a moment on a branch high in a tree. These birds are fairly common, but usually stick to treetops, making them hard to spot or photograph.
Rock Wren
July 2012 – Steens Mountain, OR
There are a number of Rock Wrens living among the rocks just below the summit of Steens Mountain, along the trail down to Wildhorse Lake.
Rock Wren
May 2005 – Leslie Gulch, OR
This Rock Wren only appeared for a moment… on a rock… in Leslie Gulch, which is a dramatic canyon located in far eastern Oregon, near the Idaho border.