Black-headed Grosbeak

mrsroadrunner A Wildlife,Nature Photographer,Oregon

Black-headed Grosbeak

The Black-headed Grosbeak is the monarch butterflies worst enemy!

These are a species of birds who can safely eat the poisonous monarch butterfly.

And is happy to do it!

Deformed Pacific Northwest Bird

mrsroadrunner A Wildlife,Nature Photographer,Oregon

Deformed Pacific Northwest Bird

For a couple days now this little girl has been showing up.

When I first saw her I thought what a funny looking bird. Now that I have watched her for two days now, I feel rather sorry for her. It is our fault these birds are being altered like this, or this is the way I see it. Chemicals are more likely to blame.

Mountain Bluebird Encounter Oregon Bird Watching

We went to a marsh Sunday where I found this Mountain Bluebird.
The bird was acting rather funny, when seeing the Northern Harrier I instantly understood!

House Finch Feeding Young Wildlife Photos

House Finch Feeding Young Wildlife Photos

I made my way outside as the sun was shining to sit in my chair.

With camera in hand my sons cat jumped the dogs fence and then on me to lay down in my lap.

All four of the dogs were very interested in what the cat was doing, as I was fearing the birds were not going to make their presents known with a cat on me!

But, I have been wrong before!

Several species of birds came to see what we were doing!

In the flower tree I captured this house finch feeding it's young.

It was just to cold out there to stay outside for long, so I came inside got these photographs off the camera to share with you.

Balancing Rocks of Oregon

mrsroadrunner A Wildlife,Nature Photographer,Oregon

Balancing Rocks of Oregon

At one time this was just a local place.

House Finch Stopped By

mrsroadrunner A Wildlife,Nature Photographer,Oregon

House Finch Stopped By

I have been seeing this house finch working on his nest. The female is not as easily identified as this male is.

I went on doing my own thing Friday until I seen this male land in the flowering tree.

He allowed me a couple shots.

These birds were sold back east in New York as caged birds. Gosh the 40's I think?? They were sold as Hollywood birds, or Hollywood finches.

The story goes when the state cracked down on these illegal sales, the birds were set free by the criminals who were selling them.

The eastern house finch was then established.

The brightness of the male depends on his food source so it is said. Both Guy and I were wondering what around here they would be eating to make themselves the red color. The tree this one is in is some sort of apple tree, not ripe at all. But maybe there is something within this tree that is edible to these birds? We thought they migrated south, which would answer the mystery since I am sure there are plenty of berries south?

Turkey Vulture Is Back, Central Oregon

Turkey Vulture Is Back, Central Oregon

The Turkey Vulture is not seen in Oregon all year around.

There are five sub species of the Turkey Vulture.

Our Turkey Vulture I believe is the Western Turkey Vulture, this sub species I have read is even broke down even further.

I read where at one point and time people thought the Vultures in general were a threat to livestock thus killed, this was found to be untrue and the facts are the Turkey Vulture not only smells out gas leaks in remote places that pipe lines are found, but clean up the expired animals so disease does not spread.

Not all Vultures can smell as the Turkey Vulture does for food. Other Vultures who do not have this keen sense of smell follow around the Turkey Vulture for a meal.

I have not read anything about our Turkey Vulture breeding in Oregon, however person experience investigating the cliffs and caves of Central Oregon we have came across these Vultures protecting the cliffs and caves of where we hiked. Protecting to the point of dive bombing Guy coming very, very close to him never touching him. I added in a couple of those photographs. The Turkey Vulture is not any kind of hunter, we just got to close is all. It was kind of funny! The Vulture startled us and you can see one of the mastiffs near Guy wondering what just happened. Notice there is a reason why Guy's hat has the hat tie attached..... These were taking last year 4/24/2010. The date is just a coincident . (Updated 9-2013 excluding one photograph of Guy who HATED that photograph! Fact of the matter is I did not update the two photographs below for they are in our personal photos).

I read where the Turkey Vulture are horrible nest builders. Guy was just saying if we hiked to where we were last year, those Turkey Vultures would more then likely be there in that same spot.

The Turkey Vulture is the most known Vulture to migrate therefor is protected by the migratory treaty act of 1918. These birds are protected, so I personally leave feathers I find or any parts of such a bird alone.

I have read the only ones to have such a bird in captivity are those birds who have been hurt and unable to return to the wild. I would think this consists of educational facilities, or any licensed facility who takes on such hurt birds? Otherwise illegal to own.

The young Turkey Vultures have gray heads. Since the ones I caught with the camera have the red heads I think these are all adults?