12-NOV-2016
Did you ever see a Coot walking on water?
Well, it is actually running! The American Coot, when in a hurry to take flight, will look like it is walking on the water as it flaps its wings furiously to get airborne. That's what is happening here.
11-NOV-2016
Wetlands
Wetlands used to dominate the Willamette Valley, but only remnants of the wetlands remain. This scene is in a portion of the wetlands west of Eugene. The tall yellow grasses are beautiful.
"Historically, much of the Willamette Valley was dominated by this plant community. Most of it has been lost, making the remaining areas within Eugene’s Park and Open Space system even more valuable. These areas not only provide homes to a wide diversity of animals and plants, but they also provide important functions for our community such as cleaning our stormwater, helping reduce flooding impacts, and providing beautiful landscapes for recreation, education, research, and solace."
14-NOV-2016
It's The Berries!
This little Song Sparrow (Fox Sparrow?) seems to have found a treasure trove of berries. I thought it posed nicely in the midst of its food bank.
15-NOV-2016
American Widgeon Pair
This beautiful pair was feeding in Delta Ponds. The vegetation in the foreground is invasive, but they seem to find something there to eat. The American Widgeons seem to show up around here this time of year.
1. The American Wigeon was formerly known as "Baldpate" because the white stripe on their crown resembles a bald man's head.
2. Their diet has a higher proportion of plant matter than the diet of any other dabbling duck.
3. Their short bill enables them to exert more force at the bill tip than other dabbling ducks, thus permitting efficient dislodging and plucking of vegetation.
4. A group of ducks has many collective nouns, including a "brace", "flush", "paddling", "raft", and "team" of ducks.
16-NOV-2016
Some Kind of Hawk!
I saw this hawk high up in a tree, and I mean high! :) I got some shots of it perched there. Then it decided to take off and fortunately I was able to grab a couple shots of the bird. I think it could well be a Red-tailed Hawk, but tough for me to ID in the photos. Do you agree? I probably should have used an even higher shutter speed.
17-NOV-2016
Downy Woodpecker, Always Moving!
I love woodpeckers of all kinds. But for me. while they are really fascinating, they are difficult subjects to photograph. They are always in motion, seeming to never remain still. I watched this Downy Woodpecker for a little while as it searched for food in the tree. I would shoot when it seemed to be in a spot free of all the branches and twigs. Fortunately, I got some shots that I could use. This is one of them.
18-NOV-2016
Fall Colors in Delta Ponds
Delta Ponds is a great place to look for wildlife to photograph. But one doesn't want to overlook the other photo opportunities that can be found there. I thought this photo shows some of the fall colors well.
19-NOV-2016
American Kestrel
The Kestrel is the smallest of North American falcons. It is about the size of a mourning dove. Evidently, this one is a female I saw as I walked the Mill Race Path.
"It's one of the most colorful of all raptors: the male’s slate-blue head and wings contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same warm reddish on her wings, back, and tail. It packs a predator’s fierce intensity into its small body."
"American Kestrels occupy habitats ranging from deserts and grasslands to alpine meadows. You’re most likely to see them perching on telephone wires along roadsides, in open country with short vegetation and few trees."
20-NOV-2016
Fall Colors on the McKenzie River
Oregon's McKenzie River runs 90 miles, from the Cascade Mountains to where it flows into the Willamette River, near Eugene/Springfield. It is a scenic river and a favorite of fishermen, some coming from other parts of the country.
The McKenzie can be wild and is popular with white water rafters, besides the fishermen. There was even a boat developed for use on the McKenzie, the McKenzie River Drift boat. Click here for the home page of the McKenzie River Drift Boat Museum -
http://mckenzieriverdriftboatmuseum.org/
21-NOV-2016
The Colorful Red -eared Slider
Look up the Red-eared Slider on the Internet and you will find many references to caring for them as pets. They are the most popular turtles when it comes to having one for a pet. This is all well and good if they are cared for as they should be. But when people tire of them they don't know what to do with them. Unfortunately, some take them out to places where there are bodies of water and turn them loose, not thinking about the effects of releasing invasive species into an area where they may affect the balance of nature. Such is the case in Delta Ponds where the Red-eared Sliders seem to be taking over from the native Pond Turtles. This could have a serious effect on the population of the Pond Turtles, who lose habitat and food to the larger, more aggressive Sliders. One does have to admit that they are great looking turtles, and much more colorful than Pond Turtles.
22-NOV-2016
Fall Reflections
This scene includes farmland bordering the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area wetlands. It's a pretty area whether the weather is good or bad. I loved the rich colors of tree and grasses against a stormy weather background.
23-NOV-2016
The Day's Catch
Well, probably not the only catch of the day! I don't know how many fish per day a Great Blue Heron requires, but I do know they are prolific fishers. One of the benefits of Delta Ponds is food that is plentiful for the wildlife that is found there. I have seen herons catch fish that I thought they couldn't get down. But they did! I could watch the bulge of the fish as it went down through that long neck. This catch is a small one.