December Already!

Wow, is it December already?  Apparently I didn't get out as much last month, and I definitely was not motivated when it came to logging my treks (or gallivants, as I like to call them).  Not going to try to catch up November, but will try harder to stay motivated in December! 

Thursday (12/1/2011) I stopped by Salishan to walk the nature trail that runs along Siletz Bay.  They had quite a bit of damage from last week's storm.  The main trail apparently had been closed for a bit, but was open when I was there - obvious debris from trees and limbs along each side. 

My favorite path, a narrow dike between marsh and bay, had tumbled partway into the bay and was closed.  (The plastic bags are there to shore it up until repairs can be done.)

Golden-Crowned Kinglet

There were loads of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS - love watching them fly-catch from the trees.  Also enjoyed the RUBY-CROWNED and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS mixed in with the CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES.






The bay itself was full of waterfowl - even with the low tide, I could pick out hundreds of AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL, NORTHERN SHOVELER and some GREEN WINGED TEAL along with the MALLARDS.

Red-Tailed Hawk

On the way home I drove up Millport Slough Road to look for raptors -- saw this gorgeous fellow on my way back out.

Yesterday (12/2/2011) I spent a couple of hours at Cutler City Wetlands nature trail - the trails were open, but there were four trees down across the trail in various locations.  In addition to the CHICKADEES and YELLOW-RUMPS, I spotted a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER - always a treat to see those beautiful black and yellow birds.  

Red-Breasted Sapsucker

My favorite for this gallivant was a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER who gave me great looks as he pecked and chattered around this tree. 

Fox Sparrow

The FOX SPARROWS were numerous and friendly - this one was quite bold as he checked me out. 

Great Egret (No, Really!)

After lunch, I headed over to D River Open Space to see who was about.  This curious GREAT EGRET peered through the reeds at me as I got out of the car.  He stuck around for a couple of close-ups before heading off.  Gorgeous bird, one of my favorites.

Great Egret

Western Grebe

Two PIED-BILLED GREBES and two WESTERN GREBES were among the waterfowl in the river.   The Westerns looked like they were fly-catching, snapping at things in the air in front of them.  Really interesting (should've taken a video).  High in the air, two RED-TAILED HAWKS were being harassed by the gulls.

My last stop of the day was Spring Lake Open Space where I was greeted by a PACIFIC WREN (too shy for pix).  He was about the only bird I saw the whole trek.  Stopped about half-way and snapped this photo of my little Subaru across the lake.





So today I worked my jigsaw puzzles and listened to Christmas music, just enjoying the day.   The sea lions were floating out in the ocean, accompanied by the various SCOTERS and Gulls.  What a life!