BirdFellow - Birding services, social networking, and habitat conservation

Filter photos by:

Sort photos by:

All Photos

zoom 1 Mallard Couple taken by Dan Mitchell In our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 2/25/2016.
zoom 2 Spotted Towhee taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/1/12
zoom 3 European Starling taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 2/9/2014.
zoom 4 Mallard taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 9/6/2016.
zoom 5 Sharp-shinned Hawk taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 8/9/2016.
zoom 6 Red-breasted Nuthatch taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/23/2016.
zoom 7 Spotted Towhee taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 8/5/2016.
zoom 8 Sharp-shinned Hawk taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 8/3/2016.
zoom 9 Golden-crowned Sparrow taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 2/20/2011.
zoom 10 Black-headed Grosbeak Female taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 8-24-2015.
zoom 11 Willow Flycatcher taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 6/20/15.
zoom 12 Black-capped Chickadee taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 9/4/2016.
zoom 13 Mallard Mother & Ducklings taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/16/2010.
zoom 14 American Coot chick taken June 19, 2016 at Baskett Sough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
zoom 15 Black-necked Stilt taken June 19, 2016 at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, OR
zoom 16 Double-crested Cormorant taken April 2, 2016 at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, OR
zoom 17 Red-naped Sapsucker (juvenile male?) taken July 4, 2016 at LaPine State Park, OR
zoom 18 Song Sparrow taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/27/2016.
zoom 19 Here's a slight different angle of the same presumed first-summer female Hermit X Townsend's hybrid. The black on the crown, dark in the auriculars and slight amount of yellow on the breast (below the throat) all point to this bird being a hybrid.
zoom 20 This was the most challenging bird that we saw in the Mt. Hood National Forest along Skyline Road (F.S. 42) on 4 July 2016. The combination of dark auriculars and some yellow feathering on the upper breast suggest that this is a first-summer female Hermit X Townsend's hybrid.
zoom 21 Here's one last shot of the heavily-bibbed male Hermit Warbler.
zoom 22 This angle best shows the flank streaking and grayish wash.
zoom 23 This is probably the best angle for showing the bibbed effect of the black on this male Hermit Warbler's throat and upper breast. I've not previously seen a Hermit with such extensive black on the throat and breast, or so much streaking on the flanks. Again, note the amount of black feathering in the yellow on the face.
zoom 24 This adult male Hermit Warbler displayed some atypical characteristics. Most notable was how the black throat patch extended well down onto the upper breast and flared out to the sides creating a very bibbed look. Also note how there are black feathers scattered throughout the yellow face and the grayish wash and blackish streaking along the flanks. While this could be a hybrid, it doesn't seem to show some of the expected characteristics that would suggest Townsend's Warbler introgression.
zoom 25 Here's another angle of the bird in the previous image. Note the fairly extensive streaking along the flanks and the black feathers interspersed in the yellow face. The black on the nape and hind crown extended over onto the forecrown on this bird.
zoom 26 Here is the same bird from an angle that better shows how dark the back and wings were.
zoom 27 In terms of head and throat pattern, this Hermit Warbler is pretty typical for an after second-year male. That said, the mantle and wings of this bird were as black as I've ever seen. The yellow on the head is clean and unmarked by dark feathers. The throat patch is constrained with little bib effect and the flanks are clean whitish with essentially no streaking.
zoom 28 Here's a third angle of the same adult male Hermit Warbler. Again note how black this bird is on the mantle and the wings and the absence of any dark feathering on the yellow face and head and absence of any obvious flank streaking.
zoom 29 Here's a final shot of the first-summer male Hermit Warbler. Note the absence of flank streaking and the lack of any black feathers interspersed in the yellow face.
zoom 30 Here's a dorsal view of the first-summer male Hermit Warbler. The back is paler and grayer than that of a after second-year bird.
zoom 31 The shading on the face better shows the dark in the auriculars and you can also see the yellow below the throat patch from this angle .
zoom 32 This is a first-summer (second-year) male Hermit Warbler. Its back and wings were much paler and grayer overall and the throat patch is slightly reduced. If you look closely you can see the brownish alula feather at the shoulder, which helps age this bird.
zoom 33 With a quick glance this bird could easily be passed off as a Hermit Warbler, but if you look close you can see yellow below the black on the throat and some streaking along the flanks. This lighting in this shot is less than ideal, somewhat obscuring the darker auriculars, but you can see a bit of dark under the eye on this bird.
zoom 34 Presumed first-year male Hermit Warbler X Townsend's Warbler hybrid. This shot best shows the yellow on the breast and the fine points of the face pattern. Note the rather conspicuous dark auricular patch and the streaking on the upper flanks.
zoom 35 Presumed first-year male Hermit Warbler X Townsend's Warbler. Note the slight bit of yellow below the black throat patch and minimal flank streaking.
zoom 36 This Hermit Warbler X Townsend's Warbler hybrid is a presumed first summer male. It shows the tell-tale yellow below the mottle black throat patch, which is not shown by a pure Hermit. The next four images are all of the same bird.
zoom 37 This individual is a poster child for not using bill length to ID dowitchers. The bill of this bird looks short to me and this bird was photographed at Trestle Bay in Fort Stevens S.P. (Clatsop Co., Oregon) at a time when northbound Short-billed Dowitchers outnumber Long-billed Dowitchers along the Oregon coast. If not for seeing this bird on the ground and hearing it call, I would have thought this was a Short-billed Dowitcher, but it is a Long-billed.
zoom 38 This is a classic "fooler." Birders commonly misidentify birds of this appearance as golden-plovers due to the amount of brown on the back, nape and crown, but this is in fact a transitioning Black-bellied Plover. This bird was photographed on Clatsop Beach 23 April 2016. Within a few weeks this bird will loose the brown feathering on the crown nape and back and look more like the bird in the next image.
zoom 39 During the third of April many of the Sanderlings still remained mostly gray above and looked to be in winter plumage. This bird was on Clatsop Beach 23 April 2016.
zoom 40 Here's another Sanderling, also photographed on Clatsop Beach on 12 May 2016. It has essentially completed its molt and is fully in alternate plumage.
zoom 41 Within about three weeks time many of the Sanderlings had gone through a major change in appearance, having attained nearly fully alternate plumage. This bird was on Clatsop Beach 12 May 2016.
zoom 42 Here's another group of Red Knots–on Clatsop Beach 12 May 2016–showing a fair amount of individual variation. The front bird in this image still shows mostly winter plumage feathers on its upper parts, but has already acquired quite a bit of red feathering below. The two righhand birds have already replaced nearly all of their basic feathers above with fresh alternate feathers. Photo taken on Clatsop Beach 12 May 2016.
zoom 43 The first prealternate molt for some shorebird species results in a plumage that looks mostly like winter plumage with virtually none of the color or pattern displayed by breeding adults. This individual, photographed on Clatsop Beach 12 May, was presumed to be a first-spring bird that will not breed this year. Some aspects of its plumage are much like those of a juvenle (hatch-year) bird.
zoom 44 Here's a mixed flock that includes a number of the most expected migrants one can find during spring migration on Oregon's beaches. This group includes Red Knots, Dunlin, Sanderlings and a Ruddy Turnstone. Missing from this group is Western Sandpiper, the most abundant migrant shorebird along the Pacific Coast.
zoom 45 During April, many of the northbound Dunlin along Oregon's coast have barely started to acquire their alternate or breeding plumage. This bird, photographed on Clatsop Beach 23 April 2016, has barely started to get rufous feathers above and black on the underparts.
zoom 46 This Red-necked Phalarope appears to be an adult female still transitioning into full alternate plumage. It was at the South Jetty ponds near the mouth of the Columbia River on 12 May 2016.
zoom 47 This alternate-plumaged Black-bellied Plover was along Clatsop Beach on 12 May 2016. Compare the appearance of this bird with that of the individual in the previous photo. Note the absence of brown on the crown and nape and how the mantle, scapulars and coverts now look mostly black and white with very little brown in the plumage.
zoom 48 This Red Knot (left) and Ruddy Turnstone (right) were among the thousands of northbound shorebirds on Clatsop Beach in Clatsop County, Oregon on 8 May 2016.
zoom 49 From early May through early June migrant Whimbrel are conspicuous along Oregon's beaches. This bird was along Clatsop Beach on 8 May 2016.
zoom 50 This adult male Red-necked Phalarope was at the South Jetty ponds near the Columbia River mouth on 12 May 2016.
zoom 51 Adult Marbled Godwit on Clatsop Beach 8 May 2016.
zoom 52 This adult alternate-plumaged Ruddy Turnstone was on Clatsop Beach in Clatsop County, Oregon on 12 May 2016.
zoom 53 Few species show a more spectacular pattern in flight than a alternate-plumaged Ruddy Turnstone. This bird was along Clatsop Beach in Clatsop County, Oregon on 12 May 2016.
zoom 54 Here is a nice comparative shot of an alternate-plumaged adult Western Sandpiper (right) and an after hatch-year Semipalmated Sandpiper (left). Note the shorter more blunt-tipped bill of the Semi along with the lack of any rufous in the plumage.
zoom 55 Cinnamon Teals taken by Dan Mitchell in Cook Park, Oregon on 5/22/2016.
zoom 56 Mallard Ducklings taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/19/2016.
zoom 57 Ruby-crowned Kinglet taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard Oregon on 3/6/2011.
zoom 58 European Starling taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/14/2013.
zoom 59 Neotropic Cormorant taken by Dan Mitchell from kayak on Patagonia Lake, Arizona on 3/29/2013.
zoom 60 Mallard Duckling taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/5/16.
zoom 61 Mallard Female taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 4/13/2016.
zoom 62 Great Horned Owl taken by Dan Mitchell at Flying Demonstration at Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona on 12/26/2016.
zoom 63 Red-breasted Sapsucker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/7/16.
zoom 64 Steller's Jay taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 4/11/2016.
zoom 65 Band-tailed Pigeon taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 4/17/16
zoom 66 Sharp-shinned Hawk taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 3/21/16.
zoom 67 Red-winged Blackbird taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 3/2/16.
zoom 68 Downy Woodpecker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 2/27/16.
zoom 69 American Crow taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 3/2/16.
zoom 70 Downy Woodpecker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 1/22/2016.
zoom 71 Downy Woodpecker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 1/9/16.
zoom 72 Northern Cardinal taken by Dan Mitchell at Koko Crater Botanical Garden, Oahu, Hawaii on 3/17/2014.
zoom 73 Spotted Towee taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 1/04/2016.
zoom 74 Western Bluebirds taken by Dan Mitchell in Catalina State Park, Arizona on 12/23/15.
zoom 75 Hermit Thrush taken by Dan Mitchell in Catalina State Park, Arizona on 12/23/15.
zoom 76 Black-throated Sparrow taken by Dan Mitchell at Catalina State Park, Arizona on 12/25/15.
zoom 77 Rufous-backed Robin taken by Dan Mitchell in Catalina State Park, Arizona on 12/28/2015.
zoom 78 Rufous-backed Robin taken by Dan Mitchell in Catalina State Park, Arizona on 12/28/2015
zoom 79 Mourning Dove taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/26/2006.
zoom 80 Female Downy Woodpecker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/7/2014.
zoom 81 Gadwall taken by Dan Mitchell in Cook Park, Tigard, Oregon on 3/4/15.
zoom 82 Mourning Dove taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/05/2015.
zoom 83 Red-winged Blackbird taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/5/2015.
zoom 84 Dark-eyed Junco - Oregon Junco Race taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/5/15.
zoom 85 Red-breasted Nuthatch taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon, on 12/21/2012.
zoom 86 Bewick's Wren taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/19/2015.
zoom 87 American Robin taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/5/2015.
zoom 88 Downy Woodpecker taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/6/2011.
zoom 89 Slate Colored Junco taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/24/13.
zoom 90 White-throated Sparrow taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/12/12.
zoom 91 Yellow-rumped Warbler taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12/25/2015.
zoom 92 Townsend's Warbler taken by Dan Mitchell in our Backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 12-5-2012.
zoom 93 Spotted Towhee taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/23/2015.
zoom 94 Yellow-rumped Warbler taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 1/16/2011.
zoom 95 Western Scrub-Jay taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/19/2014
zoom 96 Golden-crowned Sparrow taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 11/10/13.
zoom 97 Red-winged Blackbird taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 5/24/2013.
zoom 98 Bewick's Wren taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10-30-15.
zoom 99 Dark-eyed Junco taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10-29-15.
zoom 100 Black-capped Chickadee taken by Dan Mitchell in our backyard in Tigard, Oregon on 10/27/15.