Birding on the Oregon Coast

Yesterday we took advantage of the fantastic weather to go hiking and birding on the Oregon Coast.  To read more about this adventure, click on the Trip Journal entry here.

Yoncalla Pond Again

We were so excited about discovering Yoncalla Pond as a new birding site that we returned again yesterday.  On this trip we explored the other side, the west side, coming in at the middle across the highway from Main Street.  This looks like it will be the main entrance eventually as the pond is developed. Already a new bridge has been installed across the west creek. The highlight of the day was meeting a friendly local, Alvin, who told us where to get ice cream at the Deli & Grill. He later showed us an additional pond, Mt Baldy Log Pond, which is yet another good birding destination.  

Yoncalla Pond

Here is a photo from our birding trip to Yoncalla Pond in the town of Yoncalla yesterday.  This old log pond has great potential for an outstanding venue for nature lovers.  For twenty years it has been off limits to the public, but as of May of 2012 it is under the care of North Douglas Betterment, a nonprofit organization, and open to the public. They are currently in an Inventory & Assessment phase, but some trail clearing has already happened and walking around the perimeter of the 80 acre pond is possible. We found it an outstanding area to bird and I’m sure as it gets developed it will be a popular destination for walking and fishing as well. 

Bird With An Attitude

We went birding at Yoncalla Pond this morning where I got this shot of a Bushtit.  He appears to be looking at me with a kind of attitude like, “you look’n at me?” There were several of them flittering around in the blackberry bushes, but I could not get a close enough look for a photo.  We then tried calling them in closer with a recorded call on my iPod, and it was amazing how close in their curiosity brought them. This trip to Yoncalla was to check out a hunch I had based on a newspaper article I had read about the old logging pond being accessible after two decades of being closed to the public. Turns out it was a good hunch and we had an excellent birding experience. Look for more information in the near future.   

Traffic Jam in Elkton

We practically had a traffic jam in Elkton this morning with people arriving at the city park to attend our first weekly bird walk. We have no traffic lights in downtown Elkton, but critters always have the right away. Sometimes it’s Wild Turkeys; today it was this Mallard and a Muscovy. For a full account of the bird walk check out the Trip Journal by clicking here.     

New Sofa

Today we had a new sofa installed in our motorhome.  You can only understand its importance if you know that in our motorhome the sofa is also the bed. We have put up with an unbelievable poor design for almost two years, we have tried many different solutions for support, and in fact for the last six months we have resorted to sleeping on the floor. If anyone out there is acquainted with Winnebago’s own brand, Comfort Sleeper Sofa, you will know what an oxymoron the name is. A nylon fabric sling is supposed to provide support over a harsh steel frame. We think we have found a much better sofa/bed at Countryside Interiors in Junction City in a Flexsteel Hidebed with an air coil mattress, which is what we had installed today.  Buster seems right at home with it.   

Anna's Hummingbird

Since the Rufous Hummingbirds have arrived we have not seen the Anna’s Hummingbirds until yesterday when this brave female snuck into to feed at the front porch feeder.  We have set up a second feeding station by the kitchen window and the Rufous seem to be concentrating on it.  Hopeful the Anna’s will get more opportunities to use the front feeder.