I know there isn’t such a thing (that I have ever heard of), but I would call this a Hairy Merganser. I mean, with a mohawk haircut like this, how could you not?
Common Merganser
Great Horned Owls
Great Horned Owls are fairly common in the Pacific Northwest … although they can be hard to spot with their typically nocturnal ways. And they like to hide out, as below. (I was just lucky to spot that one, but it had been a nest before.)
Cinnamon Teal
One of my favorite ducks is the cinnamon teal. I think the coloration is great … and the little beady red eyes remind me of a couple early mornings when I didn’t get enough sleep. I found these at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge outside Olympia, Washington.
Grouse
I mostly like grouse. I get a little bit annoyed with them when they fly up into my face to chase me away from their young. If they weren’t so well camouflaged, maybe I would see them and wouldn’t get startled so much. Anyway, enjoy these photos …
Raven Visit
We took a break while on our walk up at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park on May 3rd. While we were enjoying a snack and the view, we had this raven come in to visit (and/or beg for some of our snacks). Its beak is open, but it wasn’t squawking. I think it was trying to cool off … it was a record warm day (for May 3rd) and I don’t think it was used to the temperature.
