We took a "not-a-Sunday Drive" to Finley Wildlife Refuge one day last week. I think it was Tuesday — or Wednesday — who knows these days? They do all tend to blend together.
The Finley is a diverse natural area originally created to provide winter habitat for Dusky Canada Geese. The refuge also protects habitats of the Willamette Valley, including wet prairie, white oak savannah, bottomland creeks, old growth forest, and native prairie.
(click to enlarge)
We've visited Finley in other years, but never really paid attention to this sign. Who knew that there were so many subspecies of Canada Geese? Unlike the rest, Duskies have limited ranges. They nest in Alaska on the Copper River and winter almost exclusively here in Oregon's Willamette Valley.
We saw this old shed along the back country road we drove to get to the Refuge.
This modern version of a barn sign was just a little further along River Road. At this point we were still in Lane County, where we live. The Wildlife Refuge is near the town of Corvallis in Benton County, Oregon.
(Addendum: It's a Juvenile Western (probably) Grebe. Thank you to all the *real* birders who helped.)
I can't identify this guy that we saw in a river channel. But at this point in my life, I take a picture of pretty much any bird I see. And blog them, even if they aren't very good. Especially if it is the bird in the pictures below:
I could not believe I spotted a Kingfisher out in the middle of this prairie area. Nor that it sat still long enough for me to take a bunch of pictures. They never do that for me! Usually if I spot one, it will fly the minute I point the binoculars or camera.
It was a good day-trip on a beautiful blue-sky day. We learned something new, got some fresh air and a little outdoor exercise, and a few pictures. For all of that, I am grateful.
LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities. Thank you to the hosts.
MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; THROUGH MY LENS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; TUESDAY TREASURES; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; SIGNS SIGNS; WILD BIRD Wednesday; THANKFUL THURSDAY; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING
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