Towheeblog

Another morning hour at Minto-Brown. Nora insisted that her dog walk should be there. The forest now is at peak lushess, the dry not yet felt. No drooping allowed. The manroot shoots up to ten feet into trees and underbrush. The cow parsnips are in bloom and their leaves insist on imfoliating (like impersonating) a real palm tree. By summer’s end they will have to be content with simply being palmate. Some greater hound’s tongue are five feet tall, covered with pink blooms. The dog rose is in bloom, the vagrant blackberries and native thimbleberries sendoig canes in all directions, claiming sunlight and growing space apace.

Mrs. Quail must be on eggs as her mate was wandering down the pavement nonchalantly.

Most of the Wood Ducks were male on the slough of no name (that I could find). This slough lies north of Oxbow Slough and north of Homestead at the west margin of the park. Perhaps it is Oxbow Slough Annex?

Now I cannot go into a forest without seeing waxwings, just one more fine achievement of spring weather. Ranks up there with blooming dogwoods and rose petals of many colors. There was also some grosbeak music though it was not a warm morning.

Minto-Brown Island Park, Marion, Oregon, US
May 17, 2021. 18 species

Canada Goose  2
Wood Duck  5
Mallard  3
California Quail  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Northern Flicker  X
Tree Swallow  X
Violet-green Swallow  X
Barn Swallow  X
Brown Creeper  1
European Starling  X
Swainson’s Thrush  7
American Robin  10
Cedar Waxwing  2
Song Sparrow  3
Orange-crowned Warbler  1
Black-headed Grosbeak  5