Weekend in the Garden

I  didn't get out birding this weekend, but I enjoyed some quality time in the garden. A family of Juncos have been showing up at the feeders. It looks like they had four babies. An Anna's and Rufous hummer are fighting over the flower patch and putting on a good show. In other news, the veggie garden is coming along. I made multiple trips to the nursery, planted five tomato plants, and got four yards of bark delivered.. Garden season is in full swing!

Weekend Birds

Sunday at Gotter Prairie...

Today at Champoeg State Park....

Usnea (according to my new 'Macrolichens of the Pacific NW' book)

Goldfinch tree with a Bluebird topper

Sunday Morning Macros

From my garden....

Ridgefield Kiwa Trail

Red-winged Blackbird

Cinnamon Teal

Garter Snake

Marsh Wren

Savannah Sparrow

American Bittern

Tree Swallow

Western Painted Turtle

A few weeks ago the tree nooks contained one frog per nook. Now they all have two.

Marsh Wren

Gadwall and turtles

Red-winged Blackbird

Early yesterday morning the Kiwa Trail was full of birdsong. Lots of winnowing Wilson's Snipe, Sora, and Virginia Rail. The sunshine and warm temps made for a pleasant walk. We could see two Great Horned Owlets from the road in the usual trees, but they were kind of obscured and I didn't get any good photos. Besides the awesome view of the Bittern, the other highlight was Yellow Warblers. 61 species for the day!

Birdathon at Steigerwald

I saw about 47 species at Steigerwald on Sunday and raised some bucks for the Audubon Society of Portland. It was another great Birdathon, my seventh if I'm counting right. The weather was unbelievably sunny and warm, but then the winds kicked up and kept the bird count lower than we'd hoped. But who can complain with sunny skies like that?!