Bill Evans and I birded Barton County Park this morning under beautiful clear skies. Other than a few fisherman, we had the park to ourselves. Although we found only 20 species - it was great to get out of the house to spend a couple of hours catching up and birding the first day of the year together with a friend.  Highlights of the morning include two Bald Eagles giving close chase to a Canada Goose flying just above the Clackamas River,  great looks at Red-breasted Sapsucker looking as if its sucking sap, and a tree filled with Golden-crown Kinglets.  Bill has ticked over 100 species in this park.

Red-breasted Sapsucker

While we did not see the outcome, I had the feeling the goose this eagle was chasing was not going to get away.  It seemed like the chase unfolded in slow motion with the eagle looking as if it was already thinking about how the goose was going to taste like.  Unfortunately, the goose was just out of the frame.

Bald Eagle in pursuit of a goose

• All 12 photos from the day
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