I often walk around Bethany Lake, 10 miles west of Portland Oregon.  Swollen creeks pour into it from two directions, after the rains start.  The Park Dept.  stocks the lake with rainbow trout.  Ducks are always there, and at least one goose.

I am heartbroken because I haven’t seen a heron for two days.  They fish here also.

But I did see an bald eagle of undetermined age.   Two eagles nest a mile north of here.  A single eagle showed up last fall and exchanged squawks with the resident couple.  I dunno if that one’s reappeared. 

The eagles dominate this particular perch; it’s the highest tree near the lake.  It also affords a view north to the known eagles’ nest.  I saw a red tail  hawk on that branch once but the crows chased it away.  

Breeding Mallards, widgeons, coots, and grebes are common here.  Today they are far from shore on the Lake.  I’m hoping to spot a rarer buffie or hoodie.

I was surprised to see the mallards breeding (never pictured).  I wonder if this mild November has skewed their sexual clock since I’ve known them as Spring breeders.

Since the hooded Mergansers and buffleheaded ducks are hiding, I learn to appreciate the more subtle colorings of the widgeons.

I looked up last year’s eagle pictures of this perch, taken in December 2018.

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