Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park

Hello and happy Thursday, 

Ruby Beach located on the Pacific Ocean and is part of the Olympic National Park. Hubby and I love the Pacific Northwest, the coastline in Washington state was one of our favorite places to visit. 

The view of Ruby Beach from the trail. 

A Chestnut-backed Chickadee seen off the trail.

A view of the beach, a lovely place for a walk during the low tides.

An arch in the sea stack.

A Wilson's Warbler was one of the common Warblers seen during our walks.

Not sure if this is a female Wilson's warbler or a Yellow Warbler, my field guide says the female Wilson's has the black cap but not as noticeable?

The Bald Eagle was another common bird seen along the Washington coast.

More coastline and sea stacks.

A look back at the ocean while walking back up the trail.

My thankful list for today:
How could I not be thankful for these beautiful blue skies and lovely views of the ocean. 

I am always thankful for your visits and your comments.

"I am awake, it is a beautiful day and I am thankful."

Thank you Michelle for hosting. Thankful Thursday

Thank you to the hosts of   Skywatch Friday

Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments. Have a happy day!

Top Ten 2012

We are almost at the end of 2012, very hard to believe this year flew by. For my Camera critter post I have a post on my top ten birds I most want to see and some photos of my previous top ten. I started this list years ago and have been marking off my lifers as I see them.

TOP TEN BIRDS... from 2009 most wanted to see in 2010 first post on my TOP TEN
1. Snowy Owl.. seen @ Assateague...added Snow Bunting... a link to my  Snowy Owl
2. Whip-poor-will.........Seen at Magee Marsh, Ohio
3. Blackburian Warbler...a male.....Seen  at Magee Marsh , Ohio  my Blackburian Warbler
4. Green Jay....maybe a Texas trip
5. Snipe...Seen in the Paper Mills flats here in Maryland my Wilson's Snipe
6. Horned Lark...seen Freeland, MD added the....American Woodcock... seen at Magee Marsh, Ohio
7. Yellow Breasted Chat...seen on a Bird Club outing my Yellow-breasted Chat
8. Bittern... any......American Bittern seen with the bird club in Huntley Meadows, Virginia
9. Chestnut-backed Chickadee..  seen on our Oregon vacation July , 2012
10. Whooping Crane.....seen Aug 4, 2012 at the Patuxent Whooping Crane research center

I saw lots of Chestnut-backed Chickadees during our trip to Oregon, July 2012.

We visited the Whooping Crane research center at Patuxent NWR in Aug, 2012. My Whooping Crane post about our Whooping Crane tour at the research center is here Whooping Crane.

The Snow Bunting is one of my favorite top ten birds and I was so happy to see it here in Maryland

 at Fort McHenry.

2011....Top Ten Birds..Most want to see in 2012

1. Barn Owl..in the wild
2. Atlantic Puffin...saw the Tufted Puffin In Oregon, July 2012 still need the Atlantic Puffin
3. Evening Grosbeak....male..I have seen the female Evening Grosbeak here in my yard Nov, 2012
4. Black Rosy-Finch
5. Roadrunner
6. Pine Grosbeak....male
7. Western Tanager....male...male seen during our July 2012 vacation to Oregon
8. Green Tailed Towhee
9. GreenJay
10. Townsend’s Warbler..seen on a backyard feeder in Carlisle Pa, Feb 2012

I was thrilled to see the Tufted Puffin, the male Western Tanager and the Townsend's Warbler even though the sighting was only for a short time and I was not able to take their photos.

On the list above I need to go on a vacation to Texas and Arizona? I could knock off a few of these birds with one trip.

 A real treat to see the female and juvie Evening Grosbeaks in my yard in Nov, 2012

                                            2012 Top Ten Birds... most want to see in 2013

1.   Barn Owl ..in the wild
2.   Atlantic Puffin
3.   Blue-winged Warbler
4.   Golden-winged Warbler
5.   Saw-Whet Owl
6.   Burrowing Owl
7.   Limpkin
8.   Black Tern
9.   Common Redpoll
10.  Pine Grosbeak

Since we are having this irruptive year, I might be able to see the Common Redpoll or even a Pine Grosbeak in Maryland or neighboring states. The Burrowing Owl and Limpkin are possible to see during a planned Florida trip in March or April. The two warblers will have to wait until spring. I am hoping to add many more lifers to my list in 2013. Happy Birding.

 To see more beautiful photos and cute critters please visit: and Camera Critters and I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious host Fiona of Green Day, Misty Dawn of Camera Critters and to Anni of I'd Rather-B-birdin.  Thanks for visiting my blog and post. I wish everyone a very safe and happy weekend.

Favorite Mt Hood Scenes

I am linking up up with Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday

These are some of my favorite scenes and shots of our to vacation. I have some shots of Mt Hood, Mirror Lake, some wildflowers, some of the birds were a Clarks Nutcracker and the Oregon Junco.

The Oregon Junco's seem to also be pretty common birds. This one looks to be feeding a juvie?

Timberline lodge plaque, Mt Hood, Clarks Nutcracker, Timberline Lodge, ski slope, skiers

Mirror Lake, large spruce trees and moss, wildflowers, bridge

Pretty reflection of Mt Hood on Mirror Lake.

The trail to Mirror lake. Along the trail I could hear various bird calls. I believe a common bird was the Veery. Edited: I was corrected about the Veery sounds, it was a Swainson Thrush I was hearing. Thanks Jen!

The Chestnut Chickadee a new lifer for me were everywhere we went. I could also hear and see the nuthatches.

To see more wonderful mosaics please visit Mary's Mosaic Monday  and to see photos and scenes from around the world at Our World Tuesday.
Thanks to Mary our host of Mosaic Monday and to the hosting gang at Our World: Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia and Sandy.
Thank you for stopping by my blog and I wish everyone a HAPPY week ahead.