Hot Days

 Hot days in Oregon.🍦🍧

A few days ago, it was worse with the forest fire smoke.  The sun was eerie orange colored.  Today is lot better.  The wetlands now have rosehips.

Purple Martins were at the nest.  Are they still raising little ones again?

"Just hanging around here.  We are all grown-up now."☺️

"I caught a big fish this morning.  Look at this 

under my right claws.  A lucky day today."😎👍

Busy Summer

 A big family of Mallard.  

"I have to make sure they become independent soon😀😀."

High above, I saw a small flock of American White Pelicans passing by.

"We are on the way to a feeding spot💨💨."

Purple Martins always come back to the wetland.  There are many boxes available for them.

"I think this is my nest box💑😍."

Summer Birds

 A couple weeks ago, at the wetland, I saw a male Brown-headed Cowbird.  They nest around the reservoirs.

"Hi, I thought I could hide from you behind the leaves."

Halfway around the pond, I saw a Green Heron dashing out toward the right.

"As usual,  I am on a quick errand."

Purple Martins were busy and noisy around the top of  bushes.

"Ealy morning air is always nice for flying around."

Swallow Families

 Tree Swallows are busy at the wetland.

"We always come back here for summer.😍"

"Mom,  I am waiting here inside.👀"

Here are many Purple Martins, too.  Every year they use this big nest.

"We are all extended families.  We feel comfortable helping one another.👍👍"

Late Summer

 At the wetlands, most of the birds finished raising their young ones.  Right now  the young ones are learning to be on their own and their parents are enjoying the summer.

Everyone likes to perch high on a dead pole.

Belted Kingfisher:  "I am looking for a fish to eat."

Purple Martin:  "I am looking for a bug to eat."

Green Heron:  "I am looking for my kid.  He just took off."

A Swallow Family

During summer, many swallows nest around here.

When I saw these swallows at the reservoir, I thought  they must be Tree Swallows　that I always see.  But they happened to be  Purple Martins, a different kind of swallows.

Middle one:  "I am a male Purple Martin."

Right one:     "I am a female Purple Martin."

Hidden:  "I am a scared young Purple Martin. 

 My mom is protecting me when everyone is

 making a fuss around here.  She is tough."

"I am a dad, acting as a sentinel."