Backyard bonanza

A Purple Finch (top) and Black-headed Grosbeak join two American Goldfinches on this huge feeder at Hagg Lake in Oregon's Washington County in July 2007.

Finally! Four goldfinches at once!

We've had a bird feeder on the balcony outside our bedroom for several weeks and, though Lori has told me she's seen a variety of colorful songbirds come and go, I'd somehow missed all the fun.This morning, though, I came upon two, then three, then four of these gorgeous birds, with their bright yellow bodies and jet-black heads. Must have been the clear, sunny weather we had today.

Later in the afternoon, while researching some local blogs for work, I came upon Pacific NW Birder, a blog that combines stunning photography with text that's both inviting and authoritative. It's clear to see that blogger Greg Gillson is passionate about his subject. If you enjoy birds even a little bit, take a few minutes to visit his site. The photos are gorgeous.

As for me,  if I could spot all three of the species above at once on our balcony, that would be sweet.

Photography by Greg Gillson

A week of paradise

Is there a more majestic sight than that of a pair of bald eagles, gliding silently directly overhead in a crisp, clear baby-blue sky?

I'm halfway through a Friday morning run, at the Land's End turnaround at the end of Outward Bound Road -- as far as you go on the trail before it yields to untamed grass and rock outcroppings looking out to Georgia Strait. I remove my earbuds and first soak up the sounds of expertly camouflaged songbirds in the trees and bushes around me.

Then I peer up above the treeline and spend the next few minutes watching these magnificent birds, with their unmistakable snow-white heads and thick bodies, dipping above and below each other as they do a series of tight circles.

It's a signature moment, just me and these birds, about a mile from the shore of Eagle Lake on Orcas Island.

Two days earlier, Lori and I had another signature moment, when we set out to hike part of the Turtleback Mountain trail. We entered from the north trailhead, just off Crow Valley Road, with Otto on a leash and a picnic lunch in my backpack. We were on the trail for four hours -- a 5-mile roundtrip that took us mostly up on a gently curving trail and gave us the opportunity to take three short detours to points offering breathtaking vistas, including Crow Valley and Waldron Island (both pictured here).

All of this is due to a partnership of conservation organizations, including the San Juan Preservation Trust, The Trust for Public Land and the San Juan County Land Bank, that raised $18.5 million to buy nearly 1,600 acres of undeveloped land.

Astoundingly, we were the only ones on the trail. We could fantasize for a moment and pretend this was our private slice of heaven. But, the truth be told, it's an experience we've had more than once, whether it's hiking at Obstruction Pass State Park near Olga or (while it was still open to the public) hiking at Madrona Point near Eastsound.

We hadn't been on the island since last August. As always, we left feeling emotionally cleansed and physically refreshed. What more could we ask for from a vacation getaway? We are so blessed...

Photo of Turtleback Mountain: San Juan Preservation Trust

Quick (and very random) Takes

Only a few hours left in this month of September, so it's time to wrap up this month with a few utterly disconnected thoughts and observations:

1. Pop quiz. What's the official Oregon state bird?
a. Great blue heron; b. Western meadowlark; c. Stellar's jay.

Correct answer: b.

So how odd was it that I saw my very first Western meadowlark, with its distinctive V-like marking on its yellow breast,* perched on a wire fence in a meadow in Klickitat County in Washington state?

*Copyright photo: Kendall W. Brown
http://www.utahbirds.org/birdsofutah/BirdsS-Z/WesternMeadowlark.htm


2. Have a nice day! Not...

Around Portland, I'm used to seeing the bumper sticker "Coexist." I didn't think twice when I spotted it on a nondescript compact car (I think it was a Toyota) bearing New Mexico license plates. What did set me back was the other bumper sticker: "How about a nice cup of shut the f*** up?"

Whoa. Made me wonder what would prompt a person to essentially raise a middle finger to the world in that way. Was he trying to be funny? Is he really that crass? Just another sign of the eroding civility in this country. Made me think back to the guy in front of me in line at the grocery store. When he bent over to pick up something he'd dropped, his T-shirt rode up and there, on his lower back, in elegant script were these words: "F*** the world." Yeah, you too, buddy.

3. I've got the TV tuned to ESPN and I'm watching with glee as the Detroit Tigers are pounding the Minnesota Twins -- 7-2 in the seventh inning -- and taking another step closer to the American League's Central Division title. Given all that Michigan's largest city has been through in recent decades -- race riots, crime, illiteracy, civic corruption, horrible schools and, now, collapse of the auto industry -- it would be nice if the Tigers could bring a ray of sunshine to their beleaguered fans. Of course, even if they make the playoffs, they'll need to get past the dreaded and colossally overpaid Yankees.

I saw the Tigers in '84, the year they won their last World Series title, and have been a fan ever since. Go, Detroit!