After returning from our trip to Wallowa County (above), Sarah and I continued our search for a western Oregon Black Phoebe. Our blog friends suggested Whitaker Ponds and Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge as places we should look.
We were in North Portland last Saturday so we stopped by Whitaker Ponds and the Columbia Slough. As usual, we failed to find any phoebes, but we did see plenty of ducks and songbirds, including our first Cedar Waxwings of the year.
On Friday we took the morning off (easy to do when you work at home) and drove out to Ankeny. The skies were clear and the birds were active. We stopped at the Eagle Marsh viewing platform to look at waterfowl.
Eventually, I saw a small bird at the top of a tree (marked by the arrow above) and, after getting it in the scope, determined that it was a Black Phoebe. Celebrations ensued. It was too far away to get a decent photo, even with our digiscoping apparatus, so you'll have to take my word for it. Now that the phoebe is taken care of, we can move on to other bird pursuits. Three-toed Woodpecker, you're next!
Ooh, congrats! I've actually seen one along that very fence- I was pretty surprised. Love that shot from Wallowa...
ReplyDeleteFriday was such a nice day- lucky you for getting out birding. I need to get down to Ankeny. Looks like a fun time!
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