May 2013 - Birds in the Neighborhood, Rainbows and a School Board Campaign

Nutria at the local Winco parking lot wetland.

Brown Headed Cowbird in the backyard.

Killdeer up at the lodge.

Nutria family playing.

Robber squirrel inside the feeder in the backyard. 

Nutria playing with the Mallard.

The American Goldfinch are back. 

A Spotted Towhee peeking out of the Doug Fir in the backyard. 

Black-Capped Chickadee

Double rainbow over the Tualatin River

Black-Headed Grosbeak

Spring clouds over the farm.

A stately American Robin

A Song Sparrow at the feeders.

Chipping Sparrows on the fence.

An more intense rainbows. 

I decided to run for school board in the Hillsboro school district.  Lost to the incumbent.  Knocked on about 2000 doors.  Had a good time.  Met Shah Smith who helped me with my campaign.  Spent about 2 weeks everyday knocking doors in the rain!

Downey back peeking out in the backyard.

Saw several Western Bluebirds while placing flags at the local graveyard on Memorial Day.

Had a family of Canada Geese in the grass down below the Lodge.

Saw the little nutria kids again while getting my lunch.

Lots of bee swarms this spring.  This one was just across the river in a big tree here at Rainbow.

Hermit Thrush just down the road.

Bewicks Wren over at Kermit's next door. 

s

April 2013 - Birds from San Diego and Salton Sea to Ridgefield

California Towhee in San Diego

House Finch, also in San Diego

Red Tailed Hawk, Scholls, Oregon

Bank Swallow Salton Sea

Red Winged Blackbird

Mike Welch traded his dentist for a panel. Paula and Nic's girls were the models!

Mallard in the wetland created by the Winco in Tigard.

Another shot of the panel

My Scholls Red Tail again.

An American Widgeon at the same Winco parking lot pond.

A Downey Woodpecker just outside our bedroom window.

And a Red Breasted Sapsucker on the same tree.

A Pileated Woodpecker up on the slopes of Mount Hood.

Yet another shot of my friendly Red Tail here on Rainbow Lane.

A Spring morning, just up the road from the Rainbow House. 

Spent about 30 minutes up at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge one afternoon.

 

Not often seen but really spectacular are the American Bittern.  Two were at Ridgefield.

My first chance at a close shot on an American Bittern. 

Just a few shots from a busy spring.