Varied Thrush

Posted on December 28, 2012 by jley1

Varied Thrush

December 2012 – Eugene, OR

These are normally very skittish birds. Their song is familiar to anyone who has spent time in northwest forests – a series of alternating tones, each sung after a pause of a few seconds. But, they don’t make themselves visible very often. The pair pictured here was bucking that trend a bit… perhaps it was the winter that made them less apt to fly at the first sight of people?

Varied Thrush

This female was a bit less bold than the male… both in personality and in coloration. She generally hung-back in the undergrowth.

Varied Thrush

Another view of the male, to see the coloration on his back. These birds are visually similar to one of our most common birds – the American Robin. They’re both thrushes of about the same size, and have similar colors.

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Posted on December 27, 2012 by jley1

Golden-crowned Sparrow

December 2012 – Eugene, Oregon

A few of these birds were visiting a back yard in Eugene, OR. Sometimes, you can barely see the yellow-crown, but there’s no mistaking it. Read More →

Anna’s Hummingbird

Posted on December 27, 2012 by jley1

Anna’s Hummingbird

December 2012 – Eugene, Oregon

This female has something wrong with her leg, which appeared to just dangle. She was able to cope with it, but she might have been having a hard time cleaning herself (these birds use their feet for that), as you can see all the crud on her bib. Hopefully, she’ll be OK in the long-run.

Anna’s Hummingbird

June 2012 – Hillsboro, Oregon

This male was looking a bit beat-up. You can’t see it in this photo, but he’s missing nearly all the secondary feathers from his left wing (they’re just growing back in). It didn’t seem to slow him down though – he was busy chasing other hummingbirds from the area…

Surfbird

Posted on November 21, 2012 by jley1

Surfbird

November 2012 – Bandon, Oregon

A number of Surfbirds were picking through the tidepools at Bandon Beach. Interestingly, there weren’t a whole lot of birds at all at the beach on this particular outing.

When you look at this image contrasted with the one below, it doesn’t even look like the same bird. But, in flight, these birds are very distinctive.

Surfbird

March 2009 – Seal Rock State Wayside, Oregon

This Surfbird (Yes, that’s the actual name of this bird species), was one of a small flock, picking through the tidepools looking for small morsels. These frenetic little creatures don’t linger long in any one place.

Steller’s Jay

Posted on October 7, 2012 by jley1

Steller's Jay

September 2012 – Lilliwaup, WA

This Steller’s Jay was sitting on a driveway, all “puffed-up”. I thought something was wrong… but it jumped to attention once I got close enough.

American Pipit

Posted on September 3, 2012 by jley1

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

Posted on September 3, 2012 by jley1

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.

Calliope Hummingbird

Posted on August 28, 2012 by jley1

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.

Ash-throated Flycatcher

Posted on July 4, 2012 by jley1

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.

Rock Wren

Posted on July 4, 2012 by jley1

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.