On our way home to Oregon, we spent a couple of nights camping at Bear Lake. The Lake, which straddles the Utah/Idaho border, has been a favorite stopover for years.
It is one of the prettiest, bluest lakes ever -- though I never seem to quite capture that technicolor blue in pictures. We always see birds when we stay there and again we weren't disappointed. On this hot summer day we didn't see as many as on past visits which were in the Spring or Fall, but we had one sighting that made the stopover oh so worthwhile ...
The American Avocet wasn't a first-timer because in our previous (pre-retirement) life, we used to see them sometimes when we went camping in Eastern Oregon. But that was long before the days of digital cameras (or blogs). And even though I know these birds hang out sometimes in Florida as well as in Oregon, it had been years since we'd seen one. So I was delighted with this sighting.
Above are some other birds near where the Avocets were hanging out. I am guessing that the top birds were Wilson's Phalarope, but am more than willing to be corrected. And we saw quite a few White Pelicans -- it always surprises me to see them on inland waters.
This yellow-headed blackbird watched the water birds from a fence post and sang loudly to let them (or us) know he was claiming the territory.
The red-winged blackbird below is from when we were back in Colorado earlier in the trip, but included because it is interesting to compare the two blackbirds....
...and also because this picture was taken by Geoff (our son) and it's a much better blackbird picture!
Here are a few more shots of the Avocet --just because it was so nice to cross this beautiful bird off my photo wish list! (I'd still love to see them again though -- anytime, anywhere!)
LINKING this week to : MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; OUR WORLD; ALL SEASONS; THROUGH MY LENS; WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING.
THANK YOU to all of the hosts.
Beautiful photos of beautiful birds. I had no idea there was such a thing as a yellow headed black bird.
Posted by: Patrick Tillett | August 02, 2017 at 08:17 PM
Many great bird sightings on this stopover. The Avocet is gorgeous!
Posted by: Gaelyn | July 25, 2017 at 04:33 PM
Beautiful birds and beautiful lake as well.
MB
Posted by: MaryBeth | July 25, 2017 at 06:54 AM
Hi Sallie! Beautiful lake, lovely birds and wonderful post. Thanks so much for joining us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin'.
Posted by: Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin' | July 23, 2017 at 02:20 AM
Hello Sallie, you're so right that is just the prettiest lake.
Wonderful photos and I love that beak of the Avocet. Have a lovely Sunday and a great week ahead and thank you for this lovely post :D)
Posted by: Sue | July 22, 2017 at 04:39 PM
Hi Sallie-
I love this post with all kinds of new birds I have never seen before.
The winning prize goes to the Red Winged Blackbird!
Lovely snaps of our feathered friends!
Have a Happy Weekend!
Peace :)
Posted by: GreenComotion | July 22, 2017 at 09:30 AM
Stunning. I'm so glad you took us along.
Amalia
xo
Posted by: handmade by amalia | July 22, 2017 at 05:20 AM
Avocets are stunning birds. You can see them a thousand times and never cease to be in awe of them. As for not having pictures of your earlier sightings, it has been said by people far wiser than I, that the best picture is the one in your memory. My first sighting ever of American Avocet was of a flock of well over a hundred in south Texas about thirty-five years ago. I can still see them in my mind's eye as though it were yesterday. I didn't even own a camera then, and I have taken many pictures since, but nothing will ever replace the sheer joy of that first encounter. Great post, Sallie.
Posted by: David Gascoigne | July 22, 2017 at 04:46 AM
Great photos of interesting birds!
I was surprised to see white pelicans in Tennessee recently
Have a wonderful week-end!
Posted by: Lea | July 22, 2017 at 04:46 AM
Hello, Sallie! Wonderful bird sightings. My favorite is the Phalarope is one of my favorites. I always enjoy seeing the Pelicans. Great post. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend.
Posted by: Eileen | July 22, 2017 at 04:29 AM
You always find some great places.
And the birds go along with you.
Rainfield
Posted by: D | July 22, 2017 at 04:08 AM
Amazing photos of the Avocet! What a beautiful area, Sallie.
Posted by: Marleen | July 22, 2017 at 02:38 AM
Wonderful pictures - the avocet brings back memories of my last trip to to the US - Arizona.
Cheers - Stewart M - Geneva, Switzerland
Posted by: Stewart M | July 22, 2017 at 01:25 AM
This is the time of year for birding, ins't it?!!!
Posted by: JennJilks | July 21, 2017 at 05:01 PM
Beautiful birds and a lovely lake. Looks so peaceful.
Posted by: bill burke | July 21, 2017 at 03:43 PM
It's easy to see why you like to visit Bear Lake!
Posted by: Magical Mystical Teacher | July 21, 2017 at 01:17 PM
Parts of WI have some new lakes they didn't want. Always good to hear from you, keep me updated.
Posted by: Jeanna | July 21, 2017 at 09:05 AM
Beautiful avocet capture! Looks like a wonderful location for a camping stopover.
Posted by: Peter B | July 20, 2017 at 07:42 PM
Bear Lake seems to be a popular names for lakes as I know quite a few of them! This looked like a beautiful place to view birds and relax while you were on your journey west, Sallie. I never saw a yellow headed blackbird before --what a surprise!
Posted by: Pat | July 20, 2017 at 05:04 PM
Oh I love the lake and the birds Sallie.....
Posted by: Michelle ramblingwoods | July 20, 2017 at 09:26 AM
Beautiful post and photography ~ always lovely works ~ (thought I had commented but am 'losing my mind coming to my senses' ~ or the heat is getting to me) ~ Suffice it to say ~ glad you enjoying doing wonderful photography ~ ^_^
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | July 20, 2017 at 07:56 AM
Wonderful shots and so many lovely birds.
Posted by: Lady Fi | July 20, 2017 at 02:47 AM
Hello Sallie!:) Thank you so much for your lovely comment. My husband has been interested in ants for as long as I have known him, and that is well over 60 years. He used to have one of those perspex boxes to watch them form colonies inside. I showed him your comment, and he said my kind a girl!!:=)
Posted by: Breathtaking | July 20, 2017 at 01:05 AM
This lake is so beautiful and looks like a paradise for birds. Your photos are fabulous.
Yoko
Posted by: stardust | July 20, 2017 at 12:54 AM
Gorgeous photos, Sallie! And enchanting reflections, too!
Posted by: Linda | July 19, 2017 at 02:50 PM
It's always nice to see 'exotic' birds. And a bonus that you caught them with your camera. Hope you are settling into summer in Oregon! We're still waiting for the warm weather here.
Posted by: Halcyon | July 19, 2017 at 01:31 AM
Two more birds I have never seen- the yellow headed blackbird and the avocet. I hope to soon get to visit Oregon and Utah (Wyoming, too) again. It's been a long time since we have been up that way. Great shots and thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Terri@Coloring Outside the Lines | July 19, 2017 at 12:32 AM
Wonderful shots of the Avocet - I can understand why you never tire of spotting them. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Valerie | July 18, 2017 at 10:28 PM
Funny you should winder about the white pelicans on the inland lakes - we wondered the same thing when we saw them on our drive from Ohio to Montana. I mentioned it to a local at one of our stops and he told me that they often stop at such lakes on their way to and from the ocean(s). Thanks for the unusual (for me) photo of the Avocet.
Posted by: Angie | July 18, 2017 at 08:41 PM
This is a coincidence because I am going to camp at Big Bear, California this weekend. I haven't been in a long time, so, very eager to go back.
Posted by: Ruth | Tanama Tales | July 18, 2017 at 07:29 PM
Hello Sallie!:)
Bear Lake is a beautiful place, and looks like a perfect location for water birds. Your Avocets are gorgeous, having more colour than the ones I have seen here, and the Yellow headed Blackbird is a beauty, but I also admire your Red Shouldered Blackbird, as we only have all black Blackbirds here. This is a lovely post Sallie, thank you for sharing all the birds.
Posted by: Breathtaking | July 18, 2017 at 11:42 AM
I would love to see an Avocet and delighted that you saw, you clicked, and you posted! Thanks Sallie.
All your bird shots our lovely.
Posted by: Penny | July 18, 2017 at 09:52 AM
Such a beautiful place! Great photos...oh I'd love to see a yellow-headed blackbird! Our friend who was here visiting used to live in Utah, and told us about Bear lake. The only one I knew of is in CO...looks like this is a great one to make a stop!
Posted by: Marie-OR | July 18, 2017 at 08:54 AM
Such a beautiful lake filled with lovely animals. Great photos indeed. Warm greetings!
Posted by: blogoratti | July 18, 2017 at 06:58 AM
Bear Lake looks so lovely and luminous and I can easily imagine surreal in its blueness. The adorable avocet, indeed all local critters, must be very content living there.
Posted by: Penelope Postcards | July 18, 2017 at 03:44 AM
Beautiful birds ! Such big once I see very seldom here, but I have no lake around either !
Posted by: Gattina | July 18, 2017 at 12:58 AM
As a kid, we lived in Price, Utah and we spent a good amount of time at Bear Lake. It was a favorite place for us.
Posted by: Yogi | July 17, 2017 at 06:42 PM
Many thanks for sharing Bear Lake with All Seasons! Beautiful, and the Avocat is a cute and pretty bird! From your comment (thank you!), I can see we like to do similar things (is it age? smile!), but unfortunately I do have to do the cold, since it's where my house it! Am proud we slowly are getting used to it - and get a fair use of all my heavy sweaters:)
Posted by: https://artworksfromjeshstg.wordpress.com/2016/09/28/santa-barbara-and-sorts/ | July 17, 2017 at 06:31 PM
Fantastic Birds! And breeding plumage on the Phalarope! What a nice birdy spot if I ever get in that area I must look for it.
Posted by: Sondra | July 17, 2017 at 06:23 PM
I can see why it's a favorite stopping spot for you. Fabulous bird shots. That Avocet is special...
Posted by: ellen b | July 17, 2017 at 05:25 PM
How I would love to see the birds in real life but I have enjoyed them immensely in your lovely photos. Thank you Sallie.
Posted by: DeniseinVA | July 17, 2017 at 05:05 PM
I've never seen the Avocet...I wonder if we have them here in FL. I've never been to Bear Lake but my husband has and I've seen his pics in a photo album. Sure is a beautiful place to go on a trip. Enjoy your week! It's still hot here! hahaha! Hugs!
Posted by: lavender dreamer | July 17, 2017 at 04:26 PM
Such pretty birds, and that lake is beautiful.
Posted by: Al | July 17, 2017 at 04:15 PM
I had never heard of some of these lovely birds-fantastic photos. I just saw three types of gulls today...
Posted by: Hazel | July 17, 2017 at 03:59 PM
The avocet is such a beautiful bird. I have not seen one in person yet.
Posted by: Photo Cache | July 17, 2017 at 03:53 PM
Love the Aocet ~ what a pretty bird! Lovely photography ~ ^_^
Posted by: A ShutterBug Explores | July 17, 2017 at 03:17 PM
Oh that looks a gorgious place Sallie, and those Avocets are stunning, I think our UK avocetsare gorgious but can't hold a candle to the American ones.
Take care, Gordon.
Posted by: Gordon | July 17, 2017 at 02:35 PM
your Avocet is so nicely colored. Ours is black and white. And never show up where I live. Also love the Wilson's Phalarope. Gorgeous birds.
Posted by: NatureFootstep photography | July 17, 2017 at 02:24 PM
a beautiful lake, it is disappointing when you don't capture the color you see. it happens to me with sunsets - you have to be there!!
amazing birds!! the avocet is a beauty, what a shape!!!
Posted by: Debbie | July 17, 2017 at 10:45 AM
First of all I do love that name of Bear Lake. Doesn't need much else to tell me waht else you might see there - hope you stayed near the car. I remember seeing a Wilson's Phalarope here in England many years ago after it became a Transatlantic waif, but they are a real rarity. Good to see that avocet too and I get the impression it is much bigger than our own European Avocet.
The lake was well worth a stop.
Posted by: Phil Slade | July 17, 2017 at 09:27 AM
The Avocet has such a pronounced curved beak, must be quite the fisherman. Red Winged Black Birds are the birds I notice most around here, especially on trails of any kind. My cousin has photographed pelicans on the WI River, which amazes me. Is Bear Lake a swimming lake? I hope you are all settled back in and enjoying your summer.
Posted by: Jeanna | July 17, 2017 at 09:11 AM
Gorgeous images. Beautiful lake and I love avocet! Happy Monday!
Posted by: Snap | July 17, 2017 at 09:08 AM
What an interesting bird! I don't think I have ever seen one before.
Posted by: Linda | July 17, 2017 at 09:06 AM
What beautiful birds the avocets are with that lovely curved beak. I hope I get to see one of those one day. Great camera captures!
Posted by: Lorrie | July 17, 2017 at 08:41 AM
Your oustanding images charm me more and more, darling Sallie, thank you for sharing such wonders !
Wishing you a most lovely new week,
I'm sending blessings across the many miles
XOXO Dany
Posted by: Daniela | July 17, 2017 at 08:04 AM
Sallie, Love the bird photos. The Avocet was a new one for me. Have a great day! Sylvia D.
Posted by: Sylvia D. | July 17, 2017 at 07:23 AM
Great place for a 'stop over" finally quit raining in Ohio
Posted by: Joe Todd | July 17, 2017 at 07:17 AM
Thanks for sharing these lovely photos
Happy Mosiac Monday
much love...
Posted by: gillena | July 17, 2017 at 07:08 AM
Pictures of some very cool birds. And the pictures make them look even cooler. I know how hard it is sometimes to get pictures like these.
Posted by: Ratty | July 17, 2017 at 05:24 AM
Hello, Sally! Beautiful views of the Bear Lake. The birds are awesome. I love pretty Avocet and Phalarope. The Yellow-headed Blackbird is beautiful. I remember stopping at a Bear Lake wildlife refuge on the way to the Tetons. I wonder if this is the same place.
Wonderful photos. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead.
Posted by: Eileen | July 17, 2017 at 05:19 AM
Beautiful bird captures to begin Mosaic Monday, I really like the way that the reflections add extra depth.
Happy MM from Florida!
Posted by: Maggie | July 17, 2017 at 04:54 AM
...nice pit stop!
Posted by: tom the backroads traveller | July 17, 2017 at 04:23 AM
Your scenes are so peaceful and have so many birds!
Posted by: Carol | July 17, 2017 at 02:53 AM
What a beauty, the lake. With the birds, hippee.
Posted by: Bob | July 17, 2017 at 01:39 AM
What a lovely spot! lots of beautiful birds too.
Posted by: Amy | July 17, 2017 at 12:17 AM
Very beautiful birds in and around the lake.
Posted by: Rajesh | July 17, 2017 at 12:09 AM
I like the way the avocet walks, almost like a cowboy. LOL Have you ever been to Goose Lake, which borders eastern CA and OR. Your photo of Bear Lake reminded me of it.
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | July 16, 2017 at 10:14 PM
Lovely birds! The reflections really make the pictures special.
Posted by: Linja in Virginia | July 16, 2017 at 09:34 PM
Beautiful lake and the Avocet is very special. There is a similar bird out here in Australia but I have not been lucky enough yet to see if or photograph is.
Posted by: Mick | July 16, 2017 at 08:53 PM