Birding Eastern Washington especially Othello

Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Cranes

The Sandhill Crane Festival occurs every year in Othello, Washington in the middle of March. I headed over this year after having a glorious time last year. This year, the number and concentration of the cranes was smaller but it is always glorious to see these majestic birds and have the opportunity to photograph them. At dusk, there were hundreds and thousands of Geese with beautiful light as well as several hundred cranes.



Geese in Flight

Cranes in Flight

At the festival, there was a high school group that had rehabilitated raptors and I photographed both a Saw Whet Owl and a Barn Owl.

Additional highlights included two pairs of burrowing owls outside of Othello and I photographed 3 of the 4 individuals.


I found two great horned owl nests which I photographed. One owl nest was located at the cemetery in Othello and the other nest was on Dodson Road.

The final images I want to share are some tundra swans on the ponds at Frenchman Hills Road.

Thanks all for putting on a great festival.