A Beautiful Fall Day before Rain Arrives

We visited the nearby wetland  one more time before the rainy season arrived the next day.  Thousands of Canada Geese flew in, crisscrossing in the sky, and landed on a small pond.  In no time,  the pond was overcrowded.

Some started walking on the shore with their young ones in tow.

"We have a little one for this fall migration to

south.  We have to make more rest stops."

As I walked along a larger pond, I heard a high-pitched chattering noise, a sign of a Belted Kingfisher.

"The geese are making noise all over.  Now it's my turn."

An Autumn Day

This weekend an air show was going on against the blue sky.

Such a nice autumn day.   Many birds enjoyed the bird bath!

Spotted Towhee, female:  "I like to walk in the cold water."

Spotted Towhee, female:   "I am soaking now.  Feeling good."

Golden-crowned Sparrow:  " I just returned from the woods."

Summer Bird Still Around

Last week, we walked around the wetland.  The flowers are mostly done.

 I saw a little bird wiggling in the bush, which turned out to be a female Common Yellowthroat just like last year.  They like to nest and feed in the bushes near water.

"We are still here and getting ready for south 

soon.  I need to fatten up for the long trip."

After several days, I stopped over again to see if they were still around.  To my delight, I now saw a young male Common Yellowthroat.

"I am immature.  So I do not have the striking black mask yet."

On a Clear Day

After the smoky, hazy days of forest fires, we finally saw a beautiful sunrise.

We made a trip to the wetland nearby.  We saw regular residents, ducks and a Great Blue Heron busily hunting for fish.

Then we saw a flock of American White Pelicans floating at the corner of a reservoir.  As I walked around the reservoir, they suddenly took off to the other end of the wetland, flying right over me.

"Ta, ta... we are off to the other end of the lake."

"Have a nice photo shoot!"

Forest Fire

Due to the dry summer months, many forest fires are going on.  The careless use of firework have caused the closest one,  which now sends ash to the Portland metropolitan areas.  My backyard received a lot of fine ash particles on the vegetable leaves and bird bath water, etc.

The sky is hazy with the ash for several days.  I hope the ocean wind will come to clear the sky soon.  Meanwhile birds are doing ok.  A young Cooper's Hawk stopped by a couple of times.

"I don't like the smoky sky,   I just came here from the north

where I was born.  My mom told me to live here."

The Summer Heat Still Around

Oregon has been drier than usual.  No rain record for around 50 days.  For another week, the temperature will be in 90s.  Meantime bees are busy still collecting the honey.

Birds are busy, too.   Here is a White-breasted Nuthatch picking on a sunflower seed in a rush.

"Don't scare me with the camera noise.  I just dropped the seed."