This town is for the birds

Abundant wildlife thrives in our humble hamlet, among which is a great variety of bird species of many shapes and sizes. Most of the following photos were shot this weekend:

 Smug starling with mouthful of mayflies

 Yes, the Canada Geese are back at River Park.  

Watch your step!

 Six-pack

 This bluebird took up temporary residence in one of the young bald cypress trees at Columbia River Park.

 He glared at the camera.

 And then turned his back.

 Then glared again from atop a sign, looking crabby.

Apparently, the bluebird of happiness was having a bad day.

 Some sort of shorebird - along the shore, of all places

 Catbird

 Lawbreaker

 Osprey on the hunt 

 Dive!

 Onward and downward!

 Splashdown!

 Unfortunately for him, it was a near miss.

 Back at it

 A little later, a great blue heron flew over.

 These two vied for control of the skies.

 Red-tailed hawk

 Another shot

 Bird on a wire - a male blue jay

 The early bird gets the worm, and the early worm becomes breakfast.

 Pigeon in a puddle

Later that afternoon, the osprey's efforts paid off. He was carrying a hapless bass (or some other kind of sunfish) over the river.

(This photo was shot through the windshield of a moving car with a point and shoot.)