George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary – Page 31

Sora

There was not much happening at Reifel this afternoon, so I stopped for a while at the base of the tower. The plan was to try and get the Blackbirds on the cattails. While waiting something caught my attention along the edge of the reeds.

A juvenile Sora had come out into the open. Turns out there were actually two of them,

… and they were busy popping in and out of view going back and forth.

As luck would have it, one of them actually made its way closer to the tower and provided some great photo opportunities.

Teal, Goldfinch & Yellowlegs

While personal matters have kept me away from the blog for a while, figured it was time to try and get back into the swing of things. So why not start with Reifel where I usually try to spend my Sunday afternoons helping out on the trails. This time of year can be quiet on the birding and visitor front, but I did manage to find a few cooperative subjects. First up,

… were some Blue-winged Teal that are still hanging around the outer ponds. The west marsh had lots of American Goldfinch activity. They were busy feeding in the tall grass,

… and on the cat tails.

They were also showing up adjacent to the trails as the thistle is blossoming. The only shorebirds around,

… were some Greater Yellowlegs still showing some of their breeding plumage.

To round out the afternoon was this Savannah Sparrow.

More Great Gray Owl

It was back to Reifel for the Great Gray Owl this afternoon in spite of the fact the weather was probably worse than yesterday. It was still overcast with fairly steady light showers. The only saving grace was the Great Gray Owl was active and actually came in a little closer.

It landed briefly in this tree while hunting.

Here it is with one of three voles I watched it catch and eat this afternoon.

Then taking time out for a nice pose on the post. The only thing we need now is for the bird to stick around until the sun makes an appearance again.