Birding in Eastern Oregon

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mrt

mrt

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My wife and I took a two week camping/birding trip to Eastern Oregon. From Ashland, we stopped in Summer Lake, Malheur NWR, the Zumwalt Prairie, returning through Fort Rock, Cabin Lake and back to Summer Lake. We started on April 15, a little early for returning warblers and shorebirds in this part of the world though there were several migrants here and there. We did see nesting raptors, lots of ducks, and a goodly collection of passerines. I've posted pictures to three collections at mrtk.smugmug.com if you would like to see some of the photographically cooperative birds at these locations. Not all are what you would call artistic, but they reflect a little of what's around at the end of April. Here's a sample:
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My wife and I are heading out Tuesday for Oregon and are first stop is at Malheur NWR followed with a stop at Summer Lake on our way toward Portland with a stop at Fern Ridge wildlife area and Finley NWR. The latter two places have recent sightings of American bitterns.

Surprised at the short apparent camera to subject distances with your images. Were you shooting on foot or from a car?

I was also surprised at how many more places for wildlife photography in Oregon as compared to California. Too much habitat has been destroyed by the big ag in my state.
 
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Calson said:
My wife and I are heading out Tuesday for Oregon and are first stop is at Malheur NWR followed with a stop at Summer Lake on our way toward Portland with a stop at Fern Ridge wildlife area and Finley NWR. The latter two places have recent sightings of American bitterns.

Surprised at the short apparent camera to subject distances with your images. Were you shooting on foot or from a car?

I was also surprised at how many more places for wildlife photography in Oregon as compared to California. Too much habitat has been destroyed by the big ag in my state.
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Great timing for your trip. The warblers should be arriving in malheur. In my backyard today in Ashland we had a couple Wilson’s and a macgillivary’s. My wife also saw a lazuli bunting and a townsends in the woods above our house. Consider a visit to fort rock near summer lake. Golden eagle has a nest on the backside. Chickahominy is also not too far off your path.
As far as distance I am often shooting at 840mm and sometimes crop generously though if you’re sneaky… I didn’t see bitterns at summer lake, but I expect them any time. They’re commonish there. Look in the canal next to the auto tour route also in the water to the south of the first leg of that route. Dora and rails are also in there. Get out of the car frequently and listen
Good birding. It’s a great route.
 
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Thanks very much for the advice which is greatly appreciated. I live in Monterey but have a life long friend (our parents met in the maternity ward) who moved to Portland so doing some birding along with my visiting him.

Hoping to spot bitterns at either Fern Ridge Reservoir or at William L. Finley NWR which are outside of Eugene. I have stills of bitterns but really want video with sound for their unique calls.
 
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Calson said:
Thanks very much for the advice which is greatly appreciated. I live in Monterey but have a life long friend (our parents met in the maternity ward) who moved to Portland so doing some birding along with my visiting him.

Hoping to spot bitterns at either Fern Ridge Reservoir or at William L. Finley NWR which are outside of Eugene. I have stills of bitterns but really want video with sound for their unique calls.
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Great time to accomplish your goal. Don’t ignore summer lake. Good luck on your trip.
 
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mrt said:
My wife and I took a two week camping/birding trip to Eastern Oregon. From Ashland, we stopped in Summer Lake, Malheur NWR, the Zumwalt Prairie, returning through Fort Rock, Cabin Lake and back to Summer Lake. We started on April 15, a little early for returning warblers and shorebirds in this part of the world though there were several migrants here and there. We did see nesting raptors, lots of ducks, and a goodly collection of passerines. I've posted pictures to three collections at mrtk.smugmug.com if you would like to see some of the photographically cooperative birds at these locations. Not all are what you would call artistic, but they reflect a little of what's around at the end of April. Here's a sample:View attachment 88352View attachment 88353View attachment 88354View attachment 88356View attachment 88357View attachment 88358
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Awesome set! Love the second and 3rd shots. Well done👍👍👍
 
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I 've very much enjoyed these Eastern Oregon images, and your images on SmugMug--having previously lived in Ashland and being a long term Northern California and Oregon resident, these images have a resonance for me. Appreciate you sharing.
 
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Ashlandish said:
I 've very much enjoyed these Eastern Oregon images, and your images on SmugMug--having previously lived in Ashland and being a long term Northern California and Oregon resident, these images have a resonance for me. Appreciate you sharing.
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It’s a great pleasure to share these. Northern California and Oregon are very special birding places. I’m always astounded by the diversity
 
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