We birded close to home this weekend. The Luscher-Farm to Cook's-Butte trail is just a few minutes away and while we didn't expect to see anything out of the ordinary, we were pleasantly surprised by two Pileated Woodpecker staying in close contact with one another on the summit of Cook's Butte; then a Killdeer circling around and around Luscher Farm for several minutes giving its best alarm call before we finally took notice and realized the Killdeer was being chased by a Hummingbird which ultimately lead me to the discovery of the real reason for the alarm - a 1st year Cooper's Hawk perched low in a nearby arbor; then there was the dozen (or so) very recently fledged birds hopping through the vegetables begging for food; the distractions offered by the (I am sure) soon to be famous Luscher Farm Scare Crows; and finally (maybe) the discovery of the provenance of the Wilsonville Northern Bobwhite ;-)

IN ORDER REPORTED

We think the image below is of a parent and immature Pileated Woodpecker:

The Killdeer-Hummingbird-Cooper's Hawk Sequence.

I worked hard to turn the accipiter below into a Sharp-shinned Hawk, and it is only due to the generosity of a large number of people that I am able declare that effort a failure. Most notable among those I have to thank for this learning is an expert who resides 15 mi. s of Burns, Oregon.

Our best images of newly fledged, vegetable-hopping chicks (White-crowned & Song Sparrow):

juvenile Song Sparrow:

The soon to be famous Luscher Farm Scarecrows - this year there are 92 - a mere third of which are pictured below:

The Northern Bobwhite - a distinctive call that I should never forget!  Especially since I had the opportunity to listen to its bold, confident call for almost 3 hrs :-)