Lazuli Bunting
May 2014 – Cottonwood Canyon – John Day River, Oregon
These colorful birds are abundant in parts of the sagebrush above the river’s edge in Cottonwood Canyon. In particular, on the east bank, not far from the trailhead.
Lazuli Bunting
May 2010 – Hell’s Canyon, OR
At first, I had assumed these birds were Western Bluebirds, but on closer inspection, realized my mistake. They were fairly common in the canyon-side brush about mid-elevation, in the springtime.
Black-footed Albatross
September 2013 – Off the Oregon Coast
These birds breed in the northwest Hawaiian islands, but roam the Pacific the rest of the year… sometimes floating on air currents without even flapping their wings for days at a time.
Black-footed Albatross
This photo was during a bit of a feeding frenzy, with a Pink-footed Shearwater to the left, and a California Gull above.
California Gull
September 2013 – Off the Oregon Coast
There were literally thousands of these gulls following a couple fishing boats that were pulling up nets bursting with fish. The California Gull changes plumage after about the 3rd year. This one is the juvenile plumage, as were most of the birds on this day.
California Gull
Pink-footed Shearwater
September 2013 – Off the Oregon Coast
To the untrained eye, many of these birds look similar… Actually, even to the trained eye, they look similar. But, it’s the small variations that matter. This bird has a light underside, and lighter bill with a black tip. It also has pink feet, but you’ll rarely see them.
Sooty Shearwater
September 2013 – Off the Oregon Coast
If you want to see birds like these, you have to get out to sea… or to some very remote islands. A number of such seabirds only come to land briefly when it’s time to breed – on some remote Pacific island.
Heerman’s Gull
September 2013 – Oregon Coast
Gull species can be hard to identify sometimes, but Heerman’s Gull stands out with unique coloration and that striking orange bill. I haven’t seen a whole lot of these along the coast… in fact, this one is the first sighting I’ve confirmed myself – yay, a new bird for me!
Cackling Goose
July 2013 – Fernhill Wetlands, Oregon
These are often mistaken for the closely related Canada Goose (which in-turn are often mistakenly called Canadian Geese). They’re shorter and stockier than the Canada, but often will mix together with their larger brethern.
Greater Yellowlegs
July 2013 – Fernhill Wetlands, Oregon
This bird was wading all along in the shallows, not far from the parking area at Fernhill. It was almost like a bonus bird as I prepared to hit the road.
White-breasted Waterhen
June 2013 – Singapore
These are fairly common in the Singapore Botanical garden… and in a few other places across the country.
Hermit Thrush
April 2013 – Hillsboro, Oregon
Sometimes you just don’t know who might be visiting your own backyard. These are common birds, but they’re a bit secretive and camera-shy. I was only able to click a couple of frames before this one fluttered away.