Red-breasted Nuthatch
September 2012 – Lilliwaup, WA
These are common in the forests near Lilliwaup, WA. Though, they spend most of their time high in the canopy. This one came down to a slightly lower limb just for a few moments.
Common Loon
September 2012 – Hood Canal, Washinton
Not the greatest photo, but I just wanted to get these added to the blog. I wasn’t aware these were living in Hood Canal, but there they are… and seem fairly common as well – mostly sticking to the middle of the canal, far from shore.
Common Merganser
September 2012 – Hood Canal, Washington
A group of 4-5 female Common Mergansers were floating on small protected bay near the Hamma Hamma River on Hood Canal.
Brown Creeper
September 2012 – Hood Canal, Washington
Not sure this picture is much better than the previous one, but perhaps marginally so. Anyway, thought I’d post it.
Brown Creeper
May 2012 – Eugene, Oregon
Kind of a basic image of a Brown Creeper… There was a whole family of them flitting among the trees along the banks of the Willamette River in Eugene, Oregon. I’m not sure if this is an adult or a young one; they kind of look the same.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
September 2012 – Jackson Bottom, Hillsboro, OR
It took a bit of deduction to figure out this was a young Sharp-shinned Hawk. Note the fat brown streaks on the chest… the similar Cooper’s Hawk has finer streaking. The Northern Harrier has similar streaking, but is much larger, and has more of a face outline. It would be really helpful, of course, if these birds would just land on a ruler so I could tell what size they were!
Wood Thrush
July 2012 – Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin
This Wood Thrush was nesting right along a hiking trail – in fact, the “Ice Age Trail” in central-northern Wisconsin. I was a little lucky to even notice the bird, as it was well-hidden, and quiet. I just happened to turn my head at the right time. It appeared very wary, but never fled the nest.
Cassin's Finch
August 2012 – Boise, Idaho
These were popular at a backyard feeder. The male of this bird is more brilliant – rosy red – in different times of the year, but it does appear to be the same species. A good tell-tale on this one is the bill size and shape, plus the streaking in the belly.
American Pipit
August 2012 – Wind River Mountains, Wyoming
These birds are numerous and somewhat ubiquitous along the shorelines of the high mountain lakes in the Wind River Mountains. This particular pair of photos were taken in the Titcomb Lake basin, which a stunning location at about 10,500ft elevation.
American Pipit
Mountain Chickadee
August 2012 – Wind River Mountains, Wyoming
I was pretty excited to encounter these Mountain Chickadees. It seems that everywhere I go, it’s always Black-capped Chickadees… finally something different.
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.