The crows were up before the sun this morning. Several crow voices could be heard even with out doors and windows closed. Twenty-five minutes before official sunrise a crowcophony had arisen. Was it argument? Discussion? Protest? Celebration? Mobbing of a sleep owl or hawk? It was certain evidence of another typical day in a North American city. Crow economy operates on a seven-day work-week.
One pair of turkeys wandered into our garden this morning, snacked and ambled on. It appeared to be a male/female duo.
At Fairview Wetlands in the cold mist this morning male Red-winged Blackbirds were singing and showing off their shoulder patches. Not a single female was visible. Likely they have more interesting pursuits, like food, There was also a male hummer acting very territorial. Others present: a Coop, a Merlin, three snipe swirling about the sky, undecided about where they were going. A pair of Canada Geese were hanging out at an elevated nesting platform. Once before I saw a goose pair at Fairview actually lay eggs in one platform, but then they abandoned the nest.
The three speeding snipe were high and fast, specks against the blue. Just try and aim where you think they are going to be. Some of my shots were just blue emptiness. Click on any image to enlarge.
TASTE OF TANZANIA. Photos courtesy Albert Ryckman.
First and bottom images are Fisher’s Lovebirds; two shots of Lilac-breasted Roller; big one is Kori Bustard. It is the heaviest flying bird in Africa. A large male can weigh over forty pounds, weighing way more than your Thanksgiving turkey, or the ones who come into our garden.
Fairview Wetlands, Marion, Oregon, US
Feb 4, 2023
19 species
Canada Goose 2
Northern Shoveler 20
Mallard X
Northern Pintail 40
Green-winged Teal 50
Ring-necked Duck 3
Bufflehead 2
American Coot 7
Anna’s Hummingbird 1
Wilson’s Snipe 3
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Northern Flicker 1
Merlin 1
California Scrub-Jay 1
American Crow 3
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 5
Red-winged Blackbird 14 singing males
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