Sept 4-9 2013 Oregon Coast

A week on the Oregon Coast is a nice break for someone who is a flatlander.  We stayed in a nice condo in Lincoln City, right on Siletz Bay.  Except for one day, we had sunshine.  Even the fog didn't hinder our search for birds.

We noticed a disturbing sight on the beach in front of the condo.  Some gulls had only one foot and this Western Gull had none.   I wonder if they are getting caught in nets or something and some sickie is getting his kicks.

This is how a Western Gull should be.

Brown Pelicans are always a treat to photograph.

These Pelagic Cormorants are either squabbling or one is begging for food.

Another Pelagic.                       

The youngsters are getting too much for the adult to handle.

Nice to get close enough for a Brandt's Cormorant.  This was taken at Yaquina Lighthouse as was the previous one.

Peregrine Falcons nested in the cliffs at Yaquina and this one remained.

Caspian Tern still feeding young at Newport.

This tern had us wondering and we finally decided it is a young Caspian although it is different from the young one above.

Great Egrets are quite common here and difficult to approach.

Black Oystercatchers at Seal Rocks.

 Black Turnstone here and below.  I originally thought this was a Ruddy because of the leg color but an ebird editor decided otherwise.

Black Turnstone at Seal Rocks.

Wandering Tattler.  Seal Rocks.

Pectoral Sandpiper. Newport.

Whimbrel.  Seal Rocks

Western Gull. Seal Rocks.

Harlequin Ducks. Seal Rocks

Marbled Murrelet.  Newport Jetty.

Marbled Murrelet chick.  Newport Jetty.  Another id I got wrong initially, as I thought it was a Common Murre.  An ebird editor set me straight.  However I still think it is a Murre chick.  See comment below.

The week went fast.  We tried hard to find Elegant Terns with no luck.  That means we may have to take a side trip to Astoria.  Stay tuned.

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