WESTERN SCREECH-OWL

April 27, 2008. I was able to get a better photo soon after looking from Amy's window. It again kept an eye on us, before going back down into the hole. However a number of Black-capped Chickadees were clearly not happy to have such a neighbor and kept up a racket for awhile.

WESTERN SCREECH-OWL

April 27, 2008. On my way out the door, I saw a squirrel quickly run up a nearby tree. As it passed a hole in the tree, I was amazed to see this owl come out. It clearly was interested in me and kept staring at me while I was there. My daughter Amy had been hearing a Western Screech-Owl most nights the past few weeks and now I saw why; this hole is a mere 30 feet from her window.

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD ON NEST

April 27, 2008. This morninng at Smith and Bybee Lakes I stopped along the path to Smith Lake to look at some Yellow-rumped Warblers. I have infrequently found Rufous Hummingbirds at Smith and Bybee but today a female was flying around in the area near me. As I watched it, it flew from branch to branch and seemed to be watching me. I now suspect it was trying to determine whether I was a threat as it next flew to its nest, beautifully decorated for camouflage with lichen.

OSPREYS

April 2, 2008. Ospreys on Rentenaar Road on Sauvie Island.