Common Yellowthroat
April 2013 – Oregon
It’s early april, and the Yellowthroats have just returned to the area for the season.
Common Yellowthroat
June 2011 – Hillsboro, Oregon
A bunch of yellowthroats were flitting around the bushes in a wetland near my home. I was trying out a new portable blind. The birds weren’t really fooled, but I still managed a few passable shots.
Downy Woodpecker
April 2013 – Smith and Bybee Lakes, Oregon
This bird was very actively probing cracks and crevices for insects, really more like a creeper than a woodpecker. I managed to snap a few decent shots as he poked out from behind some brambles.
American Widgeon
March 2013 – Sauvie Island, Oregon
These were a fairly common sight on this morning at Sauvie Island.
Red-breasted Sapsucker
April 2013 – Sauvie Island, Oregon
Same bird, different day… a few weeks later. This tree must be pretty productive for this pair of Red-breasted Sapsuckers, because they were both still there, a few weeks after my previous visit (below). Anyway, here are a couple more photos from the exact same location.
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Red-breasted Sapsucker
March 2013 – Sauvie Island, Oregon
This one was very intent on maintaining his sap tree, about 15-20ft high on the side of a tree along the trail.
Double-crested Cormorant
March 2013 – Fernhill wetlands, Oregon
This is a young Double-crested Cormorant. The older birds are much more black. Cormorants need to air-dry their wings (not very practical for a seabird), which is what this was is doing in the early morning light.
Brewer’s Blackbird
March 2013 – Fernhill Wetlands, Oregon
These birds are common in suburban parking lots across the country. They’re often overlooked, and dismissed. But, they do have a certain beauty – just look at those eyes. This one is a male.
Ring-necked Ducks
April 2013 – Sauvie Island, Oregon
Caught in the act… Gosh this doesn’t look too comfortable for the female, but I guess it works.
Ring-necked Duck
March 2013 – Sauvie Island, Oregon
Another pair… slightly closer, slightly better photo… different location.
Ring-necked Duck
April 2013 – Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
This pair of Ring-necked Ducks saw me from a 100 yards away, and were taking no chances… quickly swimming away…
Resplendent Quetzal
February 2013 – Central highlands of Costa Rica
And there it was… a bird that seems more myth than reality. The male’s tail feathers can grow to about 2 feet, but this one had recently molted. You can just see a glimpse of his scarlet red chest. These aren’t particularly active birds… they spend a lot of time sitting still – perched on branches in the mid-to-high canopy
Resplendent Quetzal
The female is a bit more drab, but still quite a sight to see…
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
February 2013 – Central highlands of Costa Rica
The environment in this area is a cloud forest at about 9000ft elevation… perhaps 2 hours drive south of San Jose along the Pan-American highway. This bird only appeared for a few moments, but I managed a pretty clear and quick shot.
Passerini’s Tanager
February 2013 – The Sloth Sanctuary, Costa Rica
The males of these birds look virtually identical to Cherrie’s Tanager. But the females of the two species look a bit different. The two species live on opposite coasts of Costa Rica.