Autumn Begins

The equinox has passed and the rains have begun, so we are officially in autumn.

The winter sparrows have returned. This Lincoln’s Sparrow was posing with rose hips.

juvenile Red-tailed Hawk

Here is another view of the same individual.

We are still in what I call Ugly Duck Season, when most birds are still in their dull summer patterns. I have heard it referred to as Brown Duck Season, which sounds a little more respectful. This brown duck is a Cinnamon Teal.

This female Wood Duck is slightly more fancy.

Speaking of fancy, this Black Swan escaped from captivity and is living the high life at Tualatin River NWR.

Bald Eagle with a fish

I have never gotten a good photo of a Great Egret, so here is a mediocre one.

There are still decent numbers of shorebirds around, including these Greater Yellowlegs, but their numbers should be thinning out pretty quickly.

I’ll leave you with this Nutria with a spiky punk hairdo.

Happy Autumn!