
Animals
Our garden is adjacent to acres of forest trees, whose resident birds and critters often visit our garden, but we’ve taken steps to encourage more visitors who are either migrating through or may call Oregarden home.
Below are photos we’ve taken of some our garden visitors:
Mammals
Without a doubt, the cutest inhabitants of our garden… and some of the most mischievous. During veggie growing season, I find all sorts of things … hollowed out tomatoes, nibbled cucumbers, toppled sunflowers, shaved lettuce, and lots and lots of dug holes. But, hey, if something isn’t eating your plants, then your garden isn’t part of the ecosystem. :) We have a number of chipmunks that live in our garden, in burrows between boulders. Occasionally a ground squirrel makes use of burrows under the catio. But most are frequent visitors from the forest across the street, hitting up the garden salad bar or Tweet Tomatoes, our bird feeder zone. We have a raised bed out front that serves as the ‘deer buffet’ where they stop by to munch on yummy veggies and flowers.
While you might find better photos on the internet, nearly all of these photos were taken by us in our garden of our mammal visitors. Only the few identified as *** PLACEHOLDER are public photos. Also, an ‘N’ denotes a native species to our area.

Douglas Squirrel (N)

Douglas’ Ground Squirrel (N)

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (N)

Townsend’s Chipmunk (N)

Western Gray Squirrel (N)

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Eastern Fox Squirrel

Brush Rabbit (N)

Columbian Black-tailed Deer (N)

Raccoon (N)

Piñon Mouse

Little Brown Myotis Bat (N) *** PLACEHOLDER

Coyote *** PLACEHOLDER

Norway Rat *** PLACEHOLDER

Townsend’s Mole (N) *** PLACEHOLDER
Dragonflies
Odonata is my biggest naturalist passion - I just love them and we travel Oregon striving to photograph as many species as we can. We’ve photographed 14 species of odonates in our garden so far, a few featured below. I have a special iNaturalist project for our all our odonate observations across Oregon, and you can view more photography on the Dragonflies page.

Blue-eyed Darner

Cardinal Meadowhawk

Pacific Spiketail

Blue Dasher

California Spreadwing

Shadow Darner

Vivid Dancer

Eight-spotted Skimmer
Bumble Bees
From what I’ve researched, there are roughly 30 species of bumble bees native to Western North America, half of which are present in the Willamette Valley area of Oregon where we live. I’m thrilled to have taken photos of at least 7 species of bumble bees in our garden so far! Bumble bees are a favorite of mine - large, fuzzy, easy to hear and spot, and they just seem so joyful.

Yellow-Faced Bumble Bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)

Brown-belted Bumble Bee (Bombus griseocollis)

Black-tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus melanopygus)

Yellow-Fronted Bumble Bee (Bombus flavifrons)

Sitka Bumble Bee (Bombus sitkensis)

Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee (Bombus mixtus)

California Bumble Bee (Bombus californicus)
Birds
We are practiced birders in Orgeon, but also attract them to our garden by adding native plants and water features. We built a robust feeding station we call ‘Tweet Tomatoes’ that supports numerous feeders and is in close viewing distance of the catio. Our garden has had over 50 species of birds so far… All of the bird species pictured below have been spotted in our garden, at our feeders, or flying overhead. We keep this list updated to help us keep track of all our sightings.
While you might find better photos on the internet, nearly all of these photos were taken by us of our birdie sightings in the garden or at a nearby refuge. Only the few identified as *** PLACEHOLDER are public photos, while we are working to capture our own.
We created this key so you can see which birds below frequent our garden and which are more rare sightings:
VC - Very Common (Daily)
C - Common (Weekly)
U - Uncommon (Monthly)
R - Rare (Quarterly or Migratory)
VR - Very Rare (No more than 1-2x a Year)
![American Goldfinch [C]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/96268c86-60a5-4f09-aecd-3441312ad67b/goldfinch.jpg)
American Goldfinch [C]
![Lesser Goldfinch [VC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/a24ec894-660f-42d3-9535-f51f4f319404/lesser.jpg)
Lesser Goldfinch [VC]
![Pine Siskin [C]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/eac4d7ae-9249-43c2-8463-c09a2ecb946f/_44A8558-Enhanced-web.jpg)
Pine Siskin [C]
![Purple Finch [C]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/9eb77b2f-50a7-463d-aa48-63eb7754e3bc/IMG_7906.jpg)
Purple Finch [C]
![Purple Finch - rare orange morph! [VR]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/169413bf-406e-4436-b28d-7aa0f23f8565/orange_morph.jpg)
Purple Finch - rare orange morph! [VR]
![House Finch [VC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/cf42e1f9-219f-49d8-8e70-f7a3a6c9b8fb/finch.jpg)
House Finch [VC]
![Dark-eyed Junco [VC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/c8e04fde-906f-4ce3-a2f5-6b908988489e/junco.jpg)
Dark-eyed Junco [VC]
![Chestnut-backed Chickadee [VC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/cd394f0a-3a94-4154-a188-08fbdc5256c9/chestnut.jpg)
Chestnut-backed Chickadee [VC]
![Black-capped Chickadee [VC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/db1258c8-711b-4f36-83f7-02bbe39fcfe6/F87A1124.jpeg)
Black-capped Chickadee [VC]
![Evening Grosbeak [VR]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/1b88da7e-d43b-446b-989c-fb7de8349677/evening_grosbeak.jpg)
Evening Grosbeak [VR]
![Black-headed Grosbeak [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/20b0486c-c297-49b8-84c8-578fbd3d2031/grossbeak.jpg)
Black-headed Grosbeak [R]
![Spotted Towhee [VC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/60c86388-67a4-44eb-b42d-158de534a29d/towhee.jpg)
Spotted Towhee [VC]
![Western Tanager [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/09aaed26-bcfc-40f2-a991-330d298fbd1c/tanager.jpg)
Western Tanager [R]
![White-breasted Nuthatch [U]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/b9c0a381-4cb4-4d73-a293-1062e246babe/Screenshot%2B2024-03-24%2Bat%2B8.48.13%2BPM.jpg)
White-breasted Nuthatch [U]
![Red-breasted Nuthatch [C]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/2c95bfb2-2b9e-4575-b535-57e5fdbeb849/nuthatch.jpg)
Red-breasted Nuthatch [C]
![Bushtit [C]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/230d6db1-e36f-437c-97e0-090417d450a1/2023041819113880-6473607703279417010-.jpg)
Bushtit [C]
![Bewick’s Wren [U]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/71ec47d4-eeb1-4744-96c1-c2fb51d72cde/Screenshot%2B2024-03-24%2Bat%2B8.46.41%2BPM.jpg)
Bewick’s Wren [U]
![Mourning Dove [VC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/1c83cc53-1377-40b7-ab29-11851d939198/dove.jpg)
Mourning Dove [VC]
![Golden-crowned Kinglet [VR]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/331fc717-ddc2-4b80-a409-9c31e2235357/golden_crowned_kinglet.jpg)
Golden-crowned Kinglet [VR]
![Ruby-crowned Kinglet [VR]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/71c0b4f3-184f-4ce7-b02a-1ddc39993150/20250124-_87A0691.jpg)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet [VR]
![Tree Swallow [U]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/d1b862c9-1361-4f82-9e0c-121e614fc530/_87A4513-CR3_DxO_DeepPRIMEXD.jpg)
Tree Swallow [U]
![Violet-green Swallow [U] *** PLACEHOLDER](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/42762d9d-8ac8-4cdc-9b84-832e2c55d2b1/550px-Violet_Green_Swallow_6-11-2017.jpg)
Violet-green Swallow [U] *** PLACEHOLDER
![Western Wood Peewee [VR] *** PLACEHOLDER](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/de2e2644-b914-43ec-9dec-f0adc504929d/westernwoodpeewee.jpg)
Western Wood Peewee [VR] *** PLACEHOLDER
![Hutton’s Vireo [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/3d47ec0b-5393-4507-a287-13ef14a20b16/square_PNG87.png)
Hutton’s Vireo [R]
![Townsend’s Warbler [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/bf6d5a97-195e-4099-87de-6e5b0ef097a7/IMG_7749.jpg)
Townsend’s Warbler [R]
![Yellow-rumped Warbler [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/690d17c4-5dc5-4ab5-b987-2d70e3385704/yellow-rumped-warbler.jpg)
Yellow-rumped Warbler [R]
![Wilson’s Warbler [VR] *** PLACEHOLDER](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/673cd621-d218-4464-845f-2b4f823e8eb4/wilsons1.jpg)
Wilson’s Warbler [VR] *** PLACEHOLDER
![Golden-crowned Sparrow [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/461859a5-54a6-430e-98e4-1de7323bf574/goldencrownedsparrow.jpg)
Golden-crowned Sparrow [R]
![Song Sparrow [VC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/80b19dfa-fac4-4329-98b0-d24d040b21ba/songsparrow.jpg)
Song Sparrow [VC]
![White-crowned Sparrow [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/c7e25c23-fe96-4d87-87ff-10451e733a54/_87A3716.jpg)
White-crowned Sparrow [R]
![House Sparrow [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/1747097230703-MQHI2AZ51YMK1U11GYKR/IMG_2444.jpg)
House Sparrow [R]
![Anna’s Hummingbird [VC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/ae2f1440-f09f-4fdc-806c-08696c06d4da/F87A2740.jpg)
Anna’s Hummingbird [VC]
![Rufous Hummingbird [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/ef820265-6e3d-4577-a8e1-4fb641ad2d74/_87A6079-CR3_DxO_DeepPRIMEXD.jpg)
Rufous Hummingbird [R]
![Red-Shafted Northern Flicker [VC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/2d4310fa-eb0b-4e44-91fd-e650ebcd857c/flicker.jpg)
Red-Shafted Northern Flicker [VC]
![Downy Woodpecker [U]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/385cb933-a3c4-47d9-9815-cc6b8d243c93/downy.jpg)
Downy Woodpecker [U]
![Hairy Woodpecker [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/e82d9a97-99fa-48f0-91f4-7b4da1f03564/_87A7509-CR3_DxO_DeepPRIMEXD.jpg)
Hairy Woodpecker [R]
![Western Scrub Jay [VC]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/bb9cc457-4d88-4713-a3e9-c84745b41f36/_87A2345-Edit%2B2%2B%281%29.jpg)
Western Scrub Jay [VC]
![Steller’s Jay [C]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/890beb09-5ad8-4138-9882-ec9c904bf550/_87A3368-Edit.jpg)
Steller’s Jay [C]
![American Crow [C] *** PLACEHOLDER](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/e11cb462-f71a-447d-9d2f-eae13fc08304/crow.jpg)
American Crow [C] *** PLACEHOLDER
![Brown-headed Cowbird [VR]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/1747097838079-UXUSC7JUIOUU9500R72A/_87A2874-DxO_DeepPRIME%252BXD2s_XD.jpg)
Brown-headed Cowbird [VR]
![American Robin [U]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/7a5088bc-7e55-4bda-a82d-675c47eddf1c/_87A3591-Enhanced-NR.jpg)
American Robin [U]
![Varied Thrush [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/4869999d-334f-4d0e-9b25-9778797c3182/varied_thrush.jpg)
Varied Thrush [R]
![Cedar Waxwing [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/584c0ef7-52ef-4b47-b147-f4f08f8b532e/bohemian_waxwing.jpg)
Cedar Waxwing [R]
![Sharp-shinned Hawk [C]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/c6a71908-2b14-426e-afa1-2a6aef05160f/sharpshinnedhawk.png)
Sharp-shinned Hawk [C]
![Cooper’s Hawk [U]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/9da23af2-ea3b-41fe-befc-2aeb975fad63/_87A7599.jpg)
Cooper’s Hawk [U]
![Bald Eagle [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/83da7e0e-29a6-4cc0-8793-f5545688b1df/Screenshot%2B2024-03-24%2Bat%2B8.42.56%2BPM.jpg)
Bald Eagle [R]
![Great Horned Owl [VR] *** PLACEHOLDER](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/308b2f23-4eba-4a98-8ca2-e015fe731016/greathornedowl.jpg)
Great Horned Owl [VR] *** PLACEHOLDER
![Turkey Vulture [U]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/7c455c4f-0e27-47ab-9c1a-6d0f14573585/Screenshot%2B2024-03-24%2Bat%2B8.39.36%2BPM.jpg)
Turkey Vulture [U]
![Red-tailed Hawk [C]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/61e04d4f-cf5e-4034-9e88-f159aae2baef/Screenshot%2B2024-03-24%2Bat%2B8.44.36%2BPM.jpg)
Red-tailed Hawk [C]
![Osprey [VR]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/7ead4ccc-33f3-4211-a9d4-13b0a1867cd8/Screenshot%2B2024-03-24%2Bat%2B8.41.23%2BPM.jpg)
Osprey [VR]
![Mallard [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/d69061bc-a495-4515-9ac5-de66e4451940/_87A8362-2-CR3_DxO_DeepPRIMEXD.jpg)
Mallard [R]
![Northern Harrier [U]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/214cc911-0b6a-489f-ad72-afcac975c7aa/Screenshot%2B2024-03-24%2Bat%2B8.50.16%2BPM.jpg)
Northern Harrier [U]
![Great Blue Heron [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/93e02414-26d9-458a-b914-f139ecb8c0a5/_87A9930.jpg)
Great Blue Heron [R]
![Canada Goose [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/f292271c-4509-4737-b474-f39ba3a3345a/Screenshot%2B2024-03-24%2Bat%2B8.53.41%2BPM.jpg)
Canada Goose [R]
![Cackling Goose [R]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/2fdec28b-0bc6-45a6-9c72-d3804d370536/Screenshot%2B2024-03-24%2Bat%2B8.51.45%2BPM.jpg)
Cackling Goose [R]
![Western Gull [VR]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/680faa15a163e24569029a32/18eeb81d-7de8-4933-8408-11cf817b7254/westerngull_EF_2.jpg)
Western Gull [VR]
And more!
In addition to the above critters spotted in and around our garden, we record most of our observations on iNaturalist under the project ‘Oregarden’.
Wasps are important pollinators, though often not as efficient as bees. Their defense capabilities tend to generate fear in people, but many species do serve a purpose in the ecosystem and should be respected.
Oregon has at least 500 species of spiders, but I haven’t seen nearly that many in our garden. Spiders are beneficial predators and serve a significant role in keeping populations of many insect pests in check. They are also fascinating and use various tactics to capture prey.
I have an affinity for slugs. I find them cute, inquisitive and a reminder to take things slow and enjoy the journey. Did you know their slime is actually a liquid crystal? A substance between solid and liquid with remarkable properties. Slugs are also really easy to photograph. :)
Beetles are often overlooked as pollinators. But I’ve learned beetles were actually the first insects to begin pollination, about 200 million years ago and remain essential pollinators to this day. I also find they have some of the most striking colors and patterns.
Although not as efficient pollinators as bees, butterflies are able to see the color red. Since bees cannot see red flowers, butterflies and hummingbirds play an important role in pollinating these plants. And when the sun goes down, moths and bats take over the night shift for pollination. It has been found that moths visit a greater variety of plant species than bees and are vital in pollination diversity.

European Paper Wasp (non-agressive, good pest control)

Bald-faced Hornet (aggressive)

Mexican Grass-carrying Wasp (peaceful)

Cross Orbweaver

Goldenrod Crab Spider

Long-legged Sac Spider

Zebra Jumping Spider

Convergent Lady Beetle (native!)

Western Polished Lady Beetle (native!)

Rodent Bot Fly (predatory species that attacks rodents, including squirrels and chipmunks)

Bristle Fly

Complex Volucella bombylans (large hoverfly species and bumblebee mimic)

Mason Bee

Leafcutter Bee

Peridot Sweat Bee

Yellow Cellar Slug

Arion Slug

Leopard Slug

Field Slug