Western Grebe
May 2012 – Lower Klamath Lake
A pair of Western Grebes were swimming in one of the maze of channels in Lower Klamath Lake. Funny that these birds dive when startled, but they can only stay down for a short while, and it seems they’re not good with directions under water – half the time, they resurface not much further from where they went under.
Black-necked Stilt
May 2012 – Lower Klamath Lake, California
All legs and bills… still they manage to make a living in the mudflats. This one was hanging out with his cousins – the Avocets.
Gadwall
May 2012 – Tule Lake, California
Ok, so it’s not the most striking bird… and not an impressive photo. But, it is a Gadwall… and… well, that’s what they look like.
Cliff Swallow
May 2012 – Tule Lake, California
Technically, this colony of Cliff Swallows were about a mile from present-day Tule Lake, at a place called Petroglyph Point, which is associated with the nearby Lava Beds National Monument. Long ago, Tule Lake was much larger, and this cliff was on an island in the lake. The native people came out here to carve their glyphs on the rocks. But, when the white man came, he drained the lake down to a third its former size to make more farmland… and this cliff is just another random cliff in the landscape. And instead of millions of birds, we are left with thousands. So goes progress.
Eared Grebe
May 2012 – Tule Lake, California
Funny, I hadn’t ever even considered the reality of the Eared Grebe until I saw them at Tule Lake on this day. These were floating around along with a menagerie of other similar acquatic bretheren. Pretty bird, I hope to get some better photos in the future!
American Coot
May 2012 – Tule Lake, California
A number of American Coots were stomping and swimming in the shallows of Tule Lake. These are fairly common (and not especially flamboyant) birds. This image is only so-so, but I hope to get a more dramatic one in the future! Silly coots need some respect.
Caspian Tern
May 2012 – Tule Lake, California
A few Caspian Terns were circling about, and making hard dives into the water. No photos of the dives, as it was fairly dark… but here’s one soaring overhead.
Brown-headed Cowbird
May 2012 – Tule Lake, California
Wherever there are lots of other birds, you find Cowbirds… Instead of building their own nests, females like this one lay their eggs in other birds nests. Do they know they’re scoundrels? Or, are they just really smart?
White Pelican
May 2012 – Tule Lake, California
This pelican seemed particularly at peace with itself in the early morning at Tule Lake. I sometimes wonder if these birds appreciate the beauty and serenity that surrounds them at moments like this.
White Pelicans
May 2012 – Sauvie Island, Oregon
A flock of White Pelicans circled above me on this morning. These birds were likely passing through on migration. They do breed much further east along the Columbia River in eastern Oregon & Washington.
Canada Goose
May 2012 – Eugene, Oregon
Our most common goose… Not much to say about this bird, or this photo, but notice the pair of wood ducks in the background – kind of a neat “photo bomb”, eh?