Camera Critters #294

I still haven't felt good enough to wander the high desert in search of interesting critters, but luckily, my backyard does have a few now and then.

Lesser Goldfinches still visit my apple tree.

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Camera Critters #291

Dark-eyed Juncos are a common sight here.  Most of what I see is the "Oregon Junco" variety.  It breeds in the western coastal states from California to Alaska.  Locally, the bird is known at "The Snow Bird."

The Oregon Junco variety differs from the rest of the Dark-eyed Juncos by having a chestnut colored back and rusty colored sides.

As this photo shows, it helps the bird blend in well with the autumn surroundings.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is s a great way to see critters the world over.  Go to the home page here to see more.  Then add your own photo and join the fun.

Camera Critters #290

As I have mentioned before, this has been a good year for me and lifer birds.

A week or so ago, I came across the little gem below.

It's not the best photo, but it is the first photo for me and the first time seen by me, of a Hermit Thrush.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters the world over. Go to the home page here to see more.  Then add your own photo and join the fun.

Camera Critters #289

I came across this bird back in March of this year.  I thought it was a Lesser Goldfinch when I took this image and others.  So I didn't do much with the photos...until Friday evening.

 

 

As I looked through a number of photos I took in the past, I realized the bird wasn't what I originally thought.  In reality, it is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

 

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #286

Can it really be that time of the year again?



Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #285

The other day I went into my kitchen to pour myself a cup of coffee.  As I stood there, blurry-eyed and all, I noticed movement outside on the apple tree.  Looking up, I saw a critter crawling around the bigger branches.



 The critter was a female Downy Woodpecker.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #281

Last week I showed off a “life” bird for me…the Anna’s Hummingbird.

This week, it’s another hummingbird, but not a “life” bird.

It’s a female Rufous Hummingbird.



Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #280

Since it is difficult for me to travel to new places to see new birds, bugs and mammals, it is always nice for me when I can find a “lifer” right in my own backyard.



It is a female Anna’s Hummingbird.  This particular species has expanded it range northward and is now rather common in my area.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #279

Earlier this week, I heard an odd sound outside.  I knew it was a hawk, but what kind?





The bird had me stumped for a few seconds, but after looking at it through the lens of my camera while shooting photos of it, I realized what it was.

It was an Intermediate Adult Red-tailed Hawk.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #278

For the past week or so, I have had a daily visitor to the trees near my place.  And it is a noisy visitor.



He sits in one of three trees and constantly calls out.  At least he waits until I am awake.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #277

Every year, around the first of August, shorebirds begin moving through central Oregon.  Being birds of water, they often stop by the sewage ponds north of town.
This Wilson’s Phalarope was no exception.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #273

It’s a Cathartes aura!  In other words, a Turkey Vulture.

 Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #270

A couple of weeks ago, I showed you a photo of a Red-tailed Hawk keeping an eye on its tormenter.

Now, I show you a Western Tanager keeping an eye on dinner.



Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #268

During my walking safaris around town, I often see smaller birds harassing larger birds…Robin diving on Crows…Crows diving on Ravens…that sort of thing.  And every time I attempt to photograph what I see. The images always turn out to look like two birds flying close to each other.

However, while out on a walk earlier this week, I came across Ravens harassing a couple of Red-tailed Hawks.  I stopped and began putting what I was seeing on my SD card, all the while thinking, “I’m probably not going to get anything worth anything.”

But this time, the photo gods were with me.  Although the image isn’t in good focus (I was pointing the camera almost straight up at the time and wanting to fall backwards), I could still seeing the value in the image.

Raven harassing Red-tail Hawk

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #267

For many years, I have tried to get a good image of an Orange-crowned Warbler. It's not that it is a hard to find bird, it's just never in a good spot for me to get a good shot. Plus...the bird won't hold still long enough for my camera to focus on it.

But earlier this week, I was able to find one in the apple tree in my back yard and was able to put camera to it and snap off about 100 shots. I figured at least one of the shots had to be good.

Well, I got two good shots...plus a number of decent shots.





Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #265

More and more migrant birds are passing through my area.  Recently I found Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a couple of days ago, Orange-crowned Warblers.  Well, maybe one Orange-crowned Warbler.



Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #264

We have had some wonderful weather in the Pacific Northwest.  I know it won’t last long…at least it won’t for now…but it is a sign that the seasons are changing.

Another sign is the arrival of the warblers.  I have seen Orange-crowned Warblers, but recently, there have been a lot of Yellow-rumped Warblers flying around…including this one photographed in my backyard.




Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #261

Spring in central Oregon is a wonderful time.  We don’t get as many migrant birds as most other great birding areas in the U.S., but we do get our fair share.

Although not necessarily a migrant, as it is seen in this are area during the winter on occasion, it is still nice to see this bird.


The Townsend’s Solitaire is a member of the same family as the Robin.  It often perches on tree tops.  It's an overall gray bird with a white eye-ring and white tail feathers.  You always know one is nearby when you hear its “pip” sounding call.

The bird also has a song very similar to that of the Robin.  Both the song and call can be heard at this URL.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #260

It has so far been a good year for me regarding birds.  I’ve seen and photographed lifers and birds I rarely see.

Earlier this week, I recorded another lifer bird for me.



The bird is a Burrowing Owl.

They are somewhat common in areas east of here, but this owl was found just inside the city limits across the street from the Super Walmart in Redmond, Oregon.

For me, it was just another lifer bird to add to my now increasing list.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #259

Several months ago, I did one of my favorite things…I grabbed my camera and went for a walk.  It was a nice winter day with no sun, which I like because I don’t have to worry about shadows.

As I walked by a roadway which dived down into the dry canyon which runs through town, I noticed a flock of small birds flitting about halfway down the road.  So I headed in that direction.

As I stood watching the small, gray birds fly from here to there, I raised my camera and began shooting images.

I shot a total of about 40 images and the one below is the best of group.  It shows a female Bushtit.  How do I know it is a female?  The bird has yellow eyes.



Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.