Besides all the waterfowl and raptors, Finley Wildlife Refuge also had several different smaller birds.
With lots of ponds and marshes, it was no surprise to hear and see...
Blackbirds!
Even on a gray day, the landscape is pretty.
Green fields with an oak savannah on the knole.
From the rise of a hill the valley spread out below.
Many of the birders got pretty excited about this guy.
Yep, Acorn Woodpeckers. There was a group of six or so working in the tops of the oak among the mistletoe.
I was much more excited to see a flock of Western Bluebirds!
The Bluebirds eat mistletoe berries.
Like Eastern Bluebirds, Western Bluebirds have a red-orange breast.
They are very social and feed in flocks during non-breeding seasons.
I hadn't realized they were year around residents in western Oregon.
William L. Finley Wildlife Refuge. The name says wildlife - not just birds.
The great surprise was a herd of 30-40 Roosevelt elk that dashed past at a distance. That works as wildlife for me!
8 comments:
Very pretty muted colours in the landscape. How wonderful to see so much wildlife so deep in winter.
Wow, how cool is that! Elk! Wow! Sorry, got distracted by the wildlife. lol!
Thank you for taking us with you! It is gorgeous and I always learn something :)
What cute little things! The scenery is gorgeous too.
What an amazing wildlife refuge - I've enjoyed the field trip!
What a wonderful place to visit! Bluebirds- amazing. I don't think I have ever seen a bluebird in the wild.
oooo looks a fab place to visit :) and nice to see the wild life as well ... love the blue birds :) love mouse xxxx
Wow! Elk! We have a National Wildlife Refuge down at the Beach, and wild horses have been known to go through there. Sometimes on the beach, other times up on the inner paths. I rarely go in the winter... but maybe I should. It is MY FAVORITE place to walk!! Thanks for sharing! And reminding... Hugs!
Post a Comment