Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is a private-public partnership maintained by Hillsboro Parks and Rec, about 20 miles west of us. I first visited without a camera when I was in the neighborhood in April 2021, and returned with my new camera and my intrepid 10-year-old photo buddy on a cold foggy day in December. My recent visit was sunny and warm, with the waterfowl at a distance in the receding wetlands, and lots of fast moving birds in the foliage along the trail.
(Click any image for a lightbox style slideshow of all the photos in this gallery.)
The stars of this visit were the Tree Swallows. 
There was a row of bird houses along one section of the trail, most populated with cautious young swallows peeking out at passers-by. 
Swallow aerobatics over the wetlands. 
I heard birdsong along most of the trail, but I didn’t see a source until this Yellow Warbler posed for me on my return loop. 
Cedar Waxwing 
I interrupted this wren (Marsh Wren?) during its dust bath on the trail. 
I followed the chirping calls of this Downy Woodpecker until I spotted the flash of red as it rustled through the branches.
Discoveries 