Adventures with Duck

Over the past few weeks I have been exploring the area trying to get a feel for the place. I have taken a ton of photos and shall share a few here today. I have found so many spots to hike and take photos that are just minutes away. Next week I am planing on going camping. I just want to get out and have time to hike and take pictures. Its always better when I know I don't need to worry about heading home right away. I'll just be out there for two or three days, but that will be enough. I'm thinking of heading to Crater Lake National Park. I get in for free and I get half price on camp sites. Anywhoo here are a few shots that I have taken recently. I have a ton more to post but who knows when I'll get around to posting. I have some things to around the house and my car is due for an oil change. All that needs to be done before I go camping and worry about posting. But it will most likely all be done today... so

So I went on my first "Adventure" Today since moiving down to Southern Oregon. I found a few birds that I didn't expect to see this far North, but no new birds. (I did get some really cool photos though) I didn't how ever get a good shot of the Great tailed Grackle. It was half hidden in the tree so I recorded its call with my bird app and let it make the call. That is what I thought it was but its not a common bird for this area. The second bird that was a surprise I did get some good shots of and here is a couple. That my friends is one of my favorite birds to photograph. Its call the Green Heron. I had only seen them when I was in Yuma last year. Its cool to know that I can get pics of them only 15 miles from the house. I did however get a new mammal... Thats right it has fur! Fokes I give you the Black Tailed Jack Rabbit! (He ran right at me I thought he was going to attack.) Then there was the Tree Swallow I...

So I have been at my brothers house for about Three weeks waiting on getting my car fixed, its a much longer story than I am willng to type here today, so I will get on with the Crossbills. Here in Centeral Oregon there is the Red Crossbill. I don't know why they call it the Red Crossbill. The male is more Orange than Red and the female is a yellow green color. You will see why they are called "Crossbills" in the photos to follow. I had been seeing a female coming to the bird bath a few times and getting a drimk from the water bucket thats on the fence line. Then Yesterday I went with my Sister to the Metolius river and took a hike down the trail along the river bank. I caught sight of a small bird perched on a water spicket, when I got it in my camera lens it was another female Crossbill. Then I seen that there were more on the ground and moved to a better spot to shoot from. Sure enough there was a male with them. See, orange not red! cool looking an...

Most of you know that I am moving from Washington back to Oregon after I retired on 4/30/25. But what you may not know is I haven't made it to my new place yet. I made it as far as my Brothers place and my car broke down. It took some work but I have finaly got it in the shop. Thank goodness for extended warrenty. I am just waiting to hear what all is needed to be done. I the mean time I have the privilege of being right next to a forest, and what is in a forest? Thats right TREES... I know, I know, wildlife and I have added now 7 new birds to my life list, bringing my total now to 174. Today Mrs Ali dropped me off at Cold Springs Campground so I could get some photos and do some hiking. I was there to try to get some bird photos, but with all the wind and the Mushroom pickers I wasn't able to get but one bird and heres its picture. But there were Squirrels, Three different types to be exact. I will put them in order but there will be more than one of eac...