Tag: Pied-billed Grebe

Water Babies, Tualatin River NWR

by John Rakestraw, posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites, reptiles & amphibians

juvenile spotted walkingThere are lots of youngsters in the wetlands these days. We haven’t had any rain in July, so water levels are dropping, concentrating wetland animals into smaller areas. This is a Spotted Sandpiper in that awkward adolescent stage.

spotted in culvertThe same Spotted Sandpiper, peeking out of a culvert

spotted 1This adult Spotted Sandpiper may be the parent of the juvenile pictured above. Like many birders, she assumes the sign does not apply to her.
spotted 2
pb grebe scratchingThis young Pied-billed Grebe was grooming and stretching in the canal.
stretching pb grebe
pb grebe left

tadpolesThere are lots of tadpoles in the canal.
bullfrogUnfortunately, they belong to the invasive American Bullfrog.

bullheadsEvery puddle has a school of baby bullheads this time of year.
bullheads 2

nutria eatingAnother invasive species, but darned cute, is this young Nutria nibbling on aquatic vegetation.
nutria eating 3

Klamath Basin

by John Rakestraw, posted in mammals, nesting, OR Birding Sites

Here are some photos from a recent trip to the Klamath Basin.


Eared Grebes are common  in the wetlands along State Line Road (Birding Oregon p. 116). The second bird from the left is still in basic plumage, while all the other birds seen that day had already molted into alternate plumage.


Shorebirds, such as this Semipalmated Plover, can be found on the mudflats along State Line Road.


This Pied-billed Grebe was nesting at Wood River Wetlands (Birding Oregon p.111).

The Klamath Basin is famous for its large wintering population of Bald Eagles, but a few pairs  stay to nest. This bird was found in Moore Park in Klamath Falls.


Moore Park is also home to Mule Deer. Note the fuzzy antlers starting to grow on the deer in the center of the photo.