Long time, no post

Sorry it took us so long to get a post up here. As some of you know, we are training to climb Mt. St. Helens in August. We spend almost all of our free time hiking and climbing or making suet for our company. We have hiked/climbed 5 mountains in the last 30 days. Most of the photos below are shots from our hikes, but to start things off, here are a couple from the yard.

We hope everyone is having a great summer and we will try to get posts up more frequently.

A fledgling Downy Woodpecker being taught where to eat by momma.


Shortly after this photo was taken, a Sharp-Shinned Hawk came through the yard and we suspect the mom was taken by him. We haven't seen her since, but the juvie still visits everyday.


A Towhee on the top of Angel's Rest in the Gorge.


A Swainson's Thrush on our way to the top of Nesmith Point.

A Cedar Waxwing the the top of Angel's Rest.

A Flicker at Powell Butte.

An Orange-Crowned Warbler on Angel's Rest.

A Red-Breasted Sapsucker feeding babies at Powell Butte. We found 3 different Sapsucker nests at Powell Butte.

A Violet-Green Swallow at the top of a very foggy Saddle Mountain.

Another VG Swallow let us get pretty close.

It's hard to see, but this is a White-Crowned Sparrow and a Violet-Green Swallow, also on Saddle Mountain.

Another, closer, White-Crowned Sparrow.

A Lazuli Bunting at Powell Butte.

A Dipper on the trail at Wahkeena Falls.

A Gray Jay on the trail to Nesmith Point.

A group of 4 Gray Jays. We saw six at this spot, at least 3 were fledglings.

A Hairy Woodpecker at the same spot as the Jays.

A Raven saying hello at Wahkeena Falls.

First of Year Chipping Sparrow!

Just a few minutes ago, we had a Chipping Sparrow come into the yard! It's the first time this year that we have seen this little guy. We usually see him once or twice a year for a single day, then he's gone again. He let us get pretty close this year. Thanks little guy!

What birds are these?

We have a ton of other photos that we will post tomorrow of birds that we have identified.


But, we need your help with these IDs. Here are the strange photos from today.

Leucistic Canada Goose? This goose was in a flock of 50+ Canada Goose. Traffic wouldn't allow us to stop in the middle of the road for too long!! Darn non birders.


What kind of Sparrow is this?











Hybrid Wigeon?

Busy, busy yard!

Hello to all! Sorry for the infrequent posts, but we have been so busy with our other blog that the time just slips away. No more excuses though! I vow to post at least 3 times a week! Yep, you heard it here first. 3 times a week. I expect you all to hold me to it, too!

Anyway, the Varied Thrush showed up today! That is the latest in the year that we have seen him in the yard. Exciting stuff! Other than the Thrush we have seen; Warblers abound, Finches a plenty (House, American, Lesser and Siskin), Junco-Mania and a Robin-Go-Round. It's been a great time to be a birder! Here are some photos for your entertainment (hopefully).

The male Varied Thrush hanging out with some unsavory characters!


Such a gorgeous bird and such an unexpected visitor near the end of February.


The Spotted Towhee was hanging out all day long. Another rare occurrence. Usually, he comes in the yard for an hour our two in the morning and the evening, but not in the middle of the day.


Towhee looking pretty photogenic on the fence.


Then, the Towhee hopped up in the Curly Willow for some even better pics.


A well camouflaged Golden-Crowned Sparrow.

A White-Crowned and Golden-Crowned Sparrow just hangin' out.

The Lesser Goldfinches are looking as beautiful as ever!

Here's another Lesser just waiting for a spot to open up on the thistle sack below.

A Downy Woodpecker grabbing some suet. It's hard to tell from the photo, but this Downy had a yellow spot on the back of the head, instead of the normal red coloring.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the male Anna's Hummingbird to come around the other side of the feeder so I could get a better pic. Such amazing colors!

One of the 6 different Song Sparrows that were in the yard today.

Another Song Sparrow...

...and another...

BirdCam Photos

Here are some recent photos from the BirdCam. I will be posting some "regular" photos tomorrow and talking more about the Great Backyard Bird Count. Until then, you can go here http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ and read up about the program. It fun and easy and free! Hope you enjoy the photos.


A Western Scrub-Jay


A Steller's Jay


Female House Sparrow


3 Golden-Crowned Sparrows


White-Crowned Sparrow


Another Steller's Jay


Golden-Crowned Sparrow

Dark-Eyed Junco

Male House Sparrow

And, of course, the squirrels just have to get in on the action!