When I noticed this tall flower stalk with its brightly colored blossoms at the park last summer I thought that it might be some kind of wild orchid. I had seen it in the exact same spot in previous years but never bothered to investigate […]
All posts filed under: Oregon’s Nature Nooks
Oregon’s Nature Nooks … Justin Bieber Corner, Part 2
Some days, more’s happening above my head that at eye level. There almost always are a few crows in the trees across the creek. They are a noisy bunch and can be heard long before they come into one’s field of vision. This resident red-tailed […]
Up Close & Personal … The Hermit Thrush
During the fall, as the various berries started to ripen, I spotted quite a few birds feasting on them! This hermit thrush was huge surprise when I noticed it at the Justin Bieber Lookout Point! Hermit thrushes are usually quite shy around humans, but not […]
Oregon’s Nature Nooks … The Justin Bieber Corner! Part 1
For many years I’ve been coming to this suburban park not far from where I live. I love to walk, watch birds, observe the the changing seasons and the creek that abuts the park. During the pandemic I was even more grateful for this local […]
Up Close & Personal … The Black-throated Gray Warbler
Last summer I spotted a tiny gray bird sitting way up in a tree. I tried to get closer but blackberry brambles along the trail made that impossible. So I extended my telephoto lens instead and zoomed in on this little guy. Turns out that the […]
Up Close & Personal … The Bufflehead
Buffleheads belong to the duck family. They are commonly spotted in woodland lakes, ponds and in sheltered coastal areas. Male buffleheads are easily identified by their dark black heads with large, white patches that reach from their eyes to the back of the crowns. White […]
Sunday Zen … My Walking Meditation
my nature park … my walking meditation … always done without hesitation … sometimes fast … sometimes slow … since there’s no other place to go … watching squirrels … watching birds … I’ve become a nature nerd … 😉 Sure, I won’t win a […]
Up Close & Personal … White-Throated Sparrow
Last summer I encountered this white-throated sparrow sitting high up in a tree. This was my first time seeing one in person. These large sparrows are easily identified by their white or tan head stripes, white throat and and yellow spots above their eyes. Their […]
Up Close & Personal … The Brown Creeper
“Can you see me now?” The brown creeper’s coloring helps them blend into their surroundings, which is why they can be challenging to spot. They creep upwards around tree trunks searching for insects in moss and bark crevices. Look at the beautiful plumage! Last week […]
The Silence of Covid
The eerie silence of Covid compliance no sliding no riding no hiding and seeking no swinging and singing no climbing no bouncing no racing no boisterous dashing no playful splashing. Just Mousekin afloat without a boat. Just the eerie Covid silence. Every time I walk […]
Up Close & Personal … Cedar Waxwings
During my 15 years in Oregon I had never seen any cedar waxwings here until … … this autumn while I was walking along a patch of trees and shrubs at the park. It was mid day when I heard really loud bird chatter, followed by […]
My First Muddy Boots Adventure of 2021!
Warning! If you are squeamish you might want to precede with caution! Raptors are eating lunch! It’s been nothing but raining here in our neck of the woods lately. This continuous rain has kept me from going to my favorite park for the last several says. However, […]
Hummingbird Magic on New Years Day!
Happy New Year from Portland, Oregon! Stay safe, healthy and happy! 🙂
Up Close & Personal … Red-breasted Sapsucker
While stopping at my favorite lookout spot at the park Sunday I heard a noise. Suddenly this gorgeous red-breasted sapsucker landed on the tree right in front of me. Red-breasted sapsuckers live in forests along our entire west-coast. They are robin-sized woodpeckers who nest in […]
Up Close & Personal … The Bewick’s Wren
Wrens are small, active songbirds that rarely sit still for very long. Bewick’s wrens are about 5 1/2 inches long and live in the underbrush along forest edges. Wrens are easily identified by their distinctive white eyebrows, beige and brown plumage and long white-tipped […]
Oregon’s Nature Nooks … North Clackamas Park
Here are a few more photographs of these adorable, hungry young swallows. Amazing how quickly the parents would race back and forth to feed their babies! When I finally got home I told the Zendog “Every time I visit the park there’s a surprise waiting […]
Oregon’s Nature Nooks … NorthClackamas Park
After I had noticed the swallows around the bird house I began stopping by the nesting box every time I visited the park, once upon arriving and then again after my walk before leaving. Somehow, I never saw the swallows and never heard any sounds […]
Oregon’s Nature Nooks … North Clackamas Park
Earlier this spring, on one of my many walks at North Clackamas Park I spotted a pair of brilliantly colored violet-green swallows. They were busy flying in and out of this small nesting box right by the community garden. There are four bird houses hanging […]
