Nature Photographer and Music Producer
Posts about birds in the Northwest that includes pictures and descriptions. Photos are by Jonathan Swanson
There are days when the river seems to hold its breath. On a recent fall day, the Willamette lay glassy and gold, fog lingering in low pockets and the cottonwoods
Continue readingUp Close with a Great Egret: A Quiet Fall Afternoon on the Willamette
This fall noisy visitors showed up at my feeder and made my backyard a little wilder — Downy woodpeckers They are small, bold, and surprisingly photogenic. After making a few
Continue reading Friendly Downy Woodpeckers Visit My Backyard
On a peaceful late afternoon at the Oak Bottom Wildlife Refuge I had an unforgettable close encounter with a great blue heron (Ardea herodias). The bird landed in a tree
Continue reading Up Close with a Great Blue Heron — Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
This morning’s walk through Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge I had a close encounter with a Red Tailed Hawk that was clearly used to human presence. Perched high on a telephone
Continue readingA Red-Tailed Hawk close encounter
After putting up a feeder and a small fountain, I never expected the tiny, steel‑blue-and-russet birds that began darting around my fig tree after I installed a feeder and a
Continue readingHow a Feeder and a Fountain Brought Red‑breasted Nuthatches to My Backyard
Last week I spend some time in Neskowin doing some repairs on a beach house. I found some time to get some photos of the local wildlife. Here are some
Continue readingMy Recent Neskowin Adventure
A Heartwarming Encounter with Nature: Junco Nesting on My Deck This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to witness the beauty of nature right on my own deck. A pair
Continue readingThe Dark Eyed Junco
As the seasons change and the days grow longer, one of the first signs of spring in Portland, Oregon, is the cheerful song of the American Robin. This familiar and
Continue readingThe American Robin: A Beloved Symbol of Spring in Portland, Oregon
Nestled within the serene landscapes of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, the male Wood Duck stands out as one of nature’s most stunning avian wonders. With its vibrant plumage and striking
Continue readingThe Majestic Male Wood Duck: A Treasure of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing Cedar Waxwings at the Oak Bottom Wildlife Refuge using my new Fuji XH2 camera paired with a 400mm Fuji lens and a 1.2
Continue readingCapturing the Beauty of Cedar Waxwings: A Photographic Journey