sauvie island tracking, a congregation of birds.

on a saturday, the garrels family went to sauvie island wildlife reserve. sauvie island is a birder's paradise, & this is the time of year all species of migratory birds congregate there.  we were in awe. i have never witnessed such a symphony of bird calls, nor the elegant ballet of the sandhill cranes with their rhythmic click-calls & tip-toeing. i stood enraptured. and of course there were the great blue herons, egrets, canada geese, & swallows, too. all circling & landing & laughing in the clearing. i only had my fixed-50 lens, so i couldn't get any close-up pictures of the birds. i know, you can't see a thing. the sandhill cranes were further along on our walk. and by then my camera battery had died. this picture is the best i have to trigger my mind into picture & sound memory of that glorious gathering.

but we did see evidence of a beaver...

found some deer tracks...

and played down by weber pond...

sauvie island is full of beauty, & it is such a quick drive from here! truly, it is one of our favorite places.