Camera Critters #124

As I have mentioned before, the sewage ponds north of Redmond, Oregon are a good place to find a large variety of birds, dragonflies and other critters.

I have photographed rare birds there; first time dragonflies and have gotten better photos of previously imaged critters. 

This week, I’ve selected sandpipers as my subject.

I have gotten an image of a Western Sandpiper before, but it was a long way off and not that great.  However, on Aug. 5, I was able to get close enough to get a better photo.

Western Sandpiper

At the same time, was able to get a photo of a new bird, the Least Sandpiper.  It isn’t a rare bird for this area, but has eluded me until I found one at the ponds.

Least Sandpiper

Though the birds look similar at a quick glance, looking closely will show the Western Sandpiper with black legs and the Least Sandpiper with greenish legs.  There are other marks which tell someone the species, but those two are the most prominent.

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

Camera Critter #122

I occasionally read an internet post about a rare bird in my area, but having no motorized transportation, it's difficult for me to the area to see the bird.

Then there is the times when I can get to the area, and look and look and look and end up not seeing the rare bird.

Last week, I read a posting on the local birding mailing list that a rare sandpiper was seen at the Redmond sewage ponds. Before you cringe and stop reading, the ponds are not as bad as they sound...there's little or no smell...but the birds like the area.

To continue, last Friday, I decided to head to the ponds to see if I could see this rare sandpiper. So I hopped on my bicycle and headed north out of town. It's about 7 miles to the pond area and once there, I have to cross a fence, but it was worth the trouble.

As I began working my way around the largest pond, I started thinking I had missed the rarity once again. However, after walking three quarters of the way around the shoreline, I saw a solitary, gray bird wading in the water not far off shore.

Lifting my camera, I was finally able to photograph a rare bird for my area. Below, you will find the image I made of a Solitary Sandpiper...normally found east of the Rocky Mountains.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critter the world over. Stop by the homepage here and check out some more critters. Then join the fun and add your own.