Birds, birds, birds

 I've been a bit lax in posting on my photo blog recently. My mother may be the only person who actually still looks at this blog. She's not on my Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. This one's for you Mom. If you click on the links above you will see my other social media posts. 

American robin feeding on wild holly berries near the Umpqua River in SW Oregon.

Western bluebird hunting insects on a hillside near Elkton in SW Oregon.

Lesser goldfinch puffed up while perched on a hazelnut tree a on a cool morning near Elkton in SW Oregon.

Barn owl in a barn near Elkton in SW Oregon.

Western bluebird perched on a hazelnut tree near Elkton in SW Oregon.

Ducks gaining g speed on a pond in Sutherlin, Oregon. Unsure of species.

Great blue heron takes off from a pond in Sutherlin, Oregon.

Red-tailed hawk takes to the air from a Douglas fir on a rainy day in SW Oregon.

Northern harrier hawk grooms on  a fence post in SW Oregon.

Lesser goldfinch feeds on weed seeds in a SW Oregon pasture.

A red-tailed hawk feeds on the remains of a dead elk in SW Oregon.

Red-tailed hawk perched on an oak tree while hunting in SW Oregon.

Red-shouldered hawk shows off in a SW Oregon pasture.

Mallard ducks take off from a flooded pasture in SW Oregon.

An American kestrel perched in a plum tree in an orchard near Elkton in SW Oregon.

Lastly, a red-tailed hawk displays in claws while perched in a dead tree along the Umpqua River near Elkton in  SW Oregon.

Year in pictures 2021

 Sit back and watch my Year in Pictures 2021

Snow days

We don't get much snow in SW Oregon. The day after Christmas we received several inches. 

A chocolate Labrador retriever plays in foot-deep snow on a hillside near Elkton in rural western Oregon. The National Weather Service has issues a winter weather advisory for the area with snow predicted for the next several days.

 

Heavy snow falls as a cow stands in a pasture along a country road in rural southwestern Oregon near Elkton.

A group of black-tailed deer climb through a snow covered landscape near Elkton in southwestern Oregon.

Sometimes you're the heron... and sometimes the rodent

A great blue heron catches and prepares to swallow a vole while hunting in a hazelnut orchard near Elkton in rural southwestern Oregon on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. During winter months, it’s common for herons to hunt in pastures and orchards.

 

Kentucky tornado recovery

 I've been working with Heart to Heart International in Mayfield, Kentucky documenting important work helping with recovery. 

Victoria and her 4yo son Ja’Quan lost their home when a massive tornado ripped through Kentucky on the Dec 10, 2021. Inside the Heart to Heart Mobile Medical Unit, parked outside of their shelter, Victoria told her story of survival and loss.

Otter: nom, nom, nom

A North American river otter forages in the Umpqua River near Elkton in southwestern Oregon on Nov. 28, 2021. The otter appeared to be diving to the bottom of the river and catching crayfish.

 

Slippery situation

A large Pacific banana slug slides over a cluster of small mushrooms growing on a rotting log on a damp hillside near Elkton in rural western Oregon on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. The Pacific banana slug is the second-largest species of terrestrial slug in the world, growing up to 9.8 inches long with weights up to 4.1 ounces.