Mom visit and incidental birding

Last week, my mom and her friend Carol flew in from Florida to visit me. While they were here, I had the pleasure of showing off some of Oregon’s natural wonders.

I took them to see waterfalls…

And we saw a Pacific Wren!

I took them to the Tulip Festival in Woodburn…

And saw owls.

To the coast!…

And saw Harlequin Duck, Common Murre, and Brandt’s Cormorant!

On a hike to Punchbowl Falls…

We saw American Dippers! I’ve been looking forward to seeing these cool birds all year. I love the way they “bob” up and down on rocks by the river. Cornell says they are North America’s “only truly aquatic songbird.” Neat.

We also stopped at Camp 18 for a small bite to eat…

And were greeted by this hilarious cat:

As well as, Violet-green Swallows!

Finally, the Rhododendron Gardens…(azalea pictured). Did you know that all azaleas are Rhododendrons, but not all Rhododendrons are azaleas? I didn’t either.

Among other birds at the garden, we saw a Double-crested Cormorant and Wood Ducks, or as my company called them, “Darth Vader Ducks.” Alrighty, then.

Not bad for a week of incidental birding…four new species!

Birding even when not birding.

Tweets and chirps,

Audrey