In the forest just up the road we have heard the calling of an Ovenbird for the last two summers without successfully seeing one. Their frequent calling had us looking in trees and forest floor but to no avail. This year we have gotten lucky and finally seen and actually gotten of a photograph of these little forest swelling warblers. Who would think such a little bird, and in this case can sweet looking bird, could make such a racket.
A fine looking Hawk all fluffed and looking sharp and perhaps a little bit full of himself as he had just finished mating a female just a few fence posts down the road.
The alert posture of this Robin Seemed to make him a perfect addition to this old fence post. It was one of those times when out-birding the bird we thought we saw on the fence post, especially ecially old posts, actually was a bird.
His announcement was short, to the point and well received.
Summer is here one and all.
A female Calliope Hummingbird measuring in at a mere 3 inches visiting a Sitka Columbine.
Two of summers treats rolled into a single meal .
After literally bringing some grub to feed his young a male Western Bluebird leaves the nesting box and perches on a fence pole in search of more food for the rapidly growing brood. We watched as both the male and female shuttled food in and waste out of the nest box with their young still safely tucked away inside.
The Western Bluebird is not as common as the Mountain Bluebird so it is always a pleasure to see that brilliant blue and orange. A fine way to start a summers day.
Once the Yellow-headed Blackbirds have moved back into a little marsh we frequently visit we can count on there never bing a dull moment. Males perched high on last summers cattails singing their beautiful squawky-squueky song with all their heart.
They sit and wait for just the right moment. A moment of silence when all can hear and then let out that wonderful tune.
Some guys sing away with a subtle yet elegant pose while other are a bit more dramatic. This guy below was really belting it out and just caught himself from falling off his perch.
Watching and hearing these guys is a true treat of spring and now that summer is approaching and this years cattails have grown tall, nests built , and eggs have been laid the marsh will defiantly quiet down-and that’s a shame.
Have a great weekend.
On the same beach on which the Oystercatchers we feasting on Mussels there was a small group of Whimbrels hanging out, resting, and also foraging on the exposed bounty of the sea.
Like their large relatives the Curlew, Whimbrels nest on open tundra of Alaska and Canada. It seems that this must have been a group heading towards their breeding grounds and perhaps took a stopover on this beach to rest and fuel up.
Most of the group was resting on freshly exposed mussels beds a veritable Whimbrel bed and breakfast so to speak.
Beautiful birds we rarely get to observe so seeing this flock was quite a treat.
As the tide rolled slowly out the Black Oystercatchers rolled in to feast on mussels freshly exposed. As this pair feasted on mussel and crab we feasted on that brilliant orange bill , yellow and orange eyes and pink legs of these beautiful birds in the early evening light. And oh yes, that wonderful call when they take to the air.
Seeing and hearing the Black Oystercatcher always gives us the feeling we have reached our destination on our occasional trips to the Pacific coast.
A quiet and relaxed Red Winged Blackbird poses for a quick portrait.
nature has no boss 
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