Bird Watching

We have had such a good time bird watching out the school room window into the tree block.  I keep our bird book, Birds of the Willamette Valley Region, binoculars, and my camera on the windowsill just incase we see something really special (I missed the Western Tanager and have yet to see it again).  I use my zoom lens and then crop the picture even larger to get the close ups.

There are several species of birds that come through briefly in May on their way to nesting grounds further North so we are lucky to spot something that is only here for a short time.

The following is the female Bullock's Oriole, followed by the brighter yellow, male.






Male black headed Grosbeak.  These are more common to the region but this is the first time I have seen one here.  We have been waiting for the Evening Grosbeak on its way to Detroit Lake where it nests.  I saw one two years ago, but not last year, so I am keeping my fingers crossed!




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