The Wetlands Summer

During the summer months, many bird families stay at the wetland. 

 

Tree Swallow:  "The breakfast is the busy time to feed all young ones."

"I like to stand still by myself."

(I saw many Great Egrets on this walk.)

"I am a young female Black-headed Grosbeak."

Wood Duck:  "We are on the swimming drill today.  I have four babies." 

Not Always Hot Here

 At the wetlands sometimes it is hot; othertimes it is cold.

Song Sparrow:  "Today is hot👍

Tree Swallows:  "It is windy and  a bit cold."🤔

Cedar Waxwing:  "Today is just right."🤩

Spring Arrival at the Wetlands

 Spring has arrived at the wetlands.

"I am American Robin.  I like many buds on the bush."🌸

"Redwing Blackbird has a musical song."😍

"Tree Swallows are returned and busy flying around."😍

Babies at the Wetland

The weather is nice and warm.  At the wetland, many young ones are seen with their mom.

Mallard:  "I am busy teaching my kids to swim and feed themselves."👍

 

Tree Swallow: "We are nesting now."🎶😊

Killdeer: "My young one is on my left.  He is almost independent."🤩

Spring Wetland

 At the wetland nearby, most of the waterfowl are gone to the north.   Spring is here with bushes loaded with buds.

"I am ready to sing."

Canadian Geese are loud.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

Tree Swallows are back to nest here.

"Oregon is a cool place to stay."

Families are Everywhere at the Wetland

 A Wood Duck family.

"Our mommy always takes us to a new place for fun.🤩👍"

"I am still a baby in the nest.  I will be flying around pretty soon.😁👍"

"We live here during the summer.  Our little ones are already out flying on their own.👀☺️🌞"

Ready for Summer

At the wetland nearby,  many birds are already busy towards summer.

"I am a young Golden-crowned Sparrow.  

Pretty soon we will move into the woods."

"We are here since March for nest building."

"I am Common Yellowthroat.  We come back here every summer."

Changes in Spring

 Viburnum are in bloom in my backyard.

Most of ducks are gone to the north.  These photos were taken a couple of weeks ago.

Gadwall:  'We are leaving for north anytime. 😁🤩"

Buffleheads:  "We are, too👀😊"

Tree Swallows:  "We are not leaving.  We just arrived a month ago to nest here.👍😍"

Arrival of Summer Birds

 At the wetland nearby, Tree Swallows are already here.👍👀😁

"We like Oregon for summer."😊

In my backyard, a male Rufous Hummingbird just arrived (3/10) on the way to Alaska.🤩

"I am the first here!"😍

"Can you see my excitement?"👑👍🦜

The Rufous shows it by the orange head and throat.

Breakfast

 In spring, Tree Swallows arrived at the wetland earlier than other summer birds.  There are many nest boxes around for their use.  Now is the time to see how the birds are using the boxes.

"There, mommy is coming😍😍😍!"

"We are hungry😅😄😁."

"I got it first😋!"

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.👍👍"

Summer Bird Arrival

 This month Tree Swallows, a summer bird, arrived at the wetland.  Even when the cold spring wind still blows, they are busy flying around, in and out of   the hole nests on the standing log.

"We are happy to be here in spring👍👍👍😄."

They are jumping in the air.

"Who can jump best? 💪💨😁"

"I am the best jumper! 😍👀"

Spring Scene

Spring at the wetland.

A couple of Tree Swallows decided to nest around here.

"We are going to make a nest nearby."

One Killdeer wanted me to follow her.  There must be her nest nearby and she wanted me to stay away from it.

"I just don't want you to hang around my nest."

Majority of waterfowls are gone to the north.  Some Greater Scaups were still paddling in a pond.

"I can still take time before moving up to the north."

Migration

This season we made a frequent trip to the nearby reservoirs due to less winter rain and warmer temperature.   Soon it will be the migration time for birds.

American White Pelicans:  "We know.  We are getting ready."

Trumpeter Swans:   "We do, too.  Right now many of us are here 

to take a short rest before going up north."

Tree Swallow:  "Hi, I have already arrived from south to nest 

as last year.  The nest boxes for us are very handy."

Summer Birds at the Wetland

During the summer months at the wetland,  I sometimes encounter summer birds.  This time a Yellowthroat male in the bush was peaking at me.

"I am watchful of strangers."

A Tree Swallow family was busy flying around a pond.

A Cedar Waxwing family was still there.

"Wherever I find sweet berries, I will be there."

More Summer Birds

It's been hot for several days; iris is now in bloom.  The flower reminds me of Children's Day holiday, May 5, in Japan.

At the nearby wetland, summer birds are now nesting.  This Tree Swallow was guarding the nest .

"I am watching you.  Stay away from my nest box."

Then I saw a small flock of Cedar Waxwing.

"We will be around here during summer.  See you next time."