Big Snow of 2019

I'm from Eugene, Oregon and snowfall is something we don't see much of in my hometown, until last month when we received the 5th deepest snow recorded.  

The number one biggest snow ever documented here in Eugene was in January 1969 when I was just a kid.  47.1 inches adorned our eclectic college town.  I don't remember much about the difficulties it caused, I only remember playing in it. 

Last month the official recording was 19.1 inches.  And since I wasn't alive for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th deepest snow, you can imagine how excited I was to get out and enjoy the white stuff.

Lincoln Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

My Poodle having a taste.

Varied Thrush hunkered down and American Robin flying away.

Song Sparrow

Western Blue Bird

American Pelicans

American Pelicans with their heads in the water

Ruddy Duck (Winter visitor)

Red-shouldered Hawk (see his red shoulder!)

That's Wilson birding with me in the snow (when it's starting to melt).  He spots something!

Wilson sure had fun!

Birding In May

I recently joined a birding group in my area. It has been an extremely fun and educational experience.  As I watch and learn from the experts who have been birding for many, many years, I am amazed at how many birds they can identify by their call or song.  It's like learning a second language! 

 

In 2011, "The Big Year" the movie was released.  It's a comedy (which was based on a true story) about three birders trying to see and identify the most birds in North America in a single year.  Birders who plan to be a competitor in this informal competition in North America, must plan to see and identify over 700 birds.  The competition begins on January 1 at 12:00 A.M. each year and ends on December 31st at 11:59 P.M. as defined in the American Birding Association Big Year rules.  When I watched the movie a few years ago, I never dreamed that bird-watching would be in my future!

 

Here's are some of the birds I photographed this month.

 

 

Osprey

 

Savanna Sparrow

 

Turkey Vulture

 

Wrentit

 

Cedar Waxwing

 

Great Blue Heron fishing at Fern Ridge Dam



 

Lazuli Bunting

 

Pelicans

Violet-green Swallow

Bewick's Wren

Northern Flicker

Song Sparrow



 

Eagle heading to nest with more building material as the two eaglets watch

 

 

Mallard Duck

 

 

There's often other nice creatures along the way,

 

Western Pond Turtle

 

 



and others you could do without.

 

 

Redspotted Garter Snake

 

 

 

Happy Birding!