Nearly Spring on Sauvie Island

I love to paint outdoors, but I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to braving weather conditions that are less than optimal.  Needless to say, I don't spend a whole lot of time painting outdoors during our long wet winters here in Oregon.   I've been out a handful of times so far this year, and the best day so far was last week when Deuce and I packed up the car and drove out to Sauvie Island.  I met up with my friend Gretha, and we spent a couple hours painting near the beach area on Reeder Road.

Bald eagle nest- Sauvie Island

These early spring days are wonderful for bird watching, and there were several people tromping around with very large cameras.  The trees haven't leafed out yet, so it was easy to see the eagle nests and heron rookeries.

Heron rookery 

Heron rookery- closer view

There were a few herons standing on their nests, but dozens stood together in the dry stalks of the corn field near the rookery.  Apparently they were hunting for mice.

My favorite birds to watch were the Sandhill Cranes.  The air was filled with the sound of them cooing as small groups flew in to join the larger groups browsing in the grassy fields.  As the sun set, a group of several dozen foraged next to the main road, so I was able to see them up close.   They stage on the island until early April, then they continue migrating north to the arctic.

I really felt energized being out in the sun all afternoon, and the time flew by.  Gretha had a really nice painting going.  I didn't do much in the painting department, but Deuce and I had fun walking around and exploring, and I took lots of pictures.  It was great!

Now a week later, we're back into a winter storm pattern, so it will be a while before we get another sunny, almost spring day.  I'm not complaining (much).  My fingers are crossed that we get a few more sunny days sprinkled throughout the coming months, and a summer that is a real summer.  We'll see...