Park walkers, bird watchers and bird photographers can still see one of the best bird behavior displays in the state right in the middle of an urban area.
Although the action has been slowed slightly by recent hot temperatures, visitors to Salem’s Riverfront Park can view fledgling bald eagles learning to fly, osprey diving into the river for fish, peregrine falcons, great blue herons, and a variety of common waterfowl.
One of the best bird photographers in the state, John Svendsen, has captured breathtaking action recently over several days in early July. He is sharing a selection with Salem Reporter.
Just as the early bird gets the worm, early viewers at the park generally get the best sightings. Svendsen usually tries to arrive at the park between 6 and 6:30 a.m.
A bald eagle assumes a defensive posture after catching a fish as an osprey chases it near Salem’s Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey pulls a fish from the Willamette River in Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey pulls a fish from the Willamette River in Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)A bald eagle perches near Salem’s Riverfront Park. (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)A fledgling bald eagle in flight near Riverfront Park. (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)A fledgling bald eagle in a tree in Riverfront Park. (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)A fledgling bald eagle in flight near Riverfront Park. (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey spotted from Riverfront Park flies with a fish in its talons. (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)(John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey in flight near Riverfront Park. (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey in flight near Riverfront Park. (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey pulls a fish from the Willamette River in Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey dives toward the Willamette River in Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey dives for a fish from the Willamette River in Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)A bald eagle near Riverfront Park. (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey dives toward the Willamette River in Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey in flight near Riverfront Park. (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey dives toward the Willamette River in Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey dives toward the Willamette River in Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey dives toward the Willamette River in Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)An osprey pulls a fish from the Willamette River in Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)A bald eagle flies with a fish near Salem’s Riverfront Park (John Svendsen/Special to Salem Reporter)
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