Camera Critter Meme #38

Shortly after a heavy rain storm hit the high desert area of central Oregon, I grabbed my camera to go on a photo safari. I didn't have far to go for my first subject. As I approach a nearby alleyway, I noticed a White-crowned Sparrow land near a water puddle. I picked up the camera and shot the photo below.


I watched the critter for a moment as he looked around, checking out the area. Then he quickly hopped to the edge of the water and stepped in.

He looked around again and for a moment, locked his gaze on me.

Then he dipped his head into the water, shook his wings while spraying droplets all over his body.

This quick bath was over in seconds and I thought when he stood up and looked, once again, directly at me, he would fly off.

The sparrow once again checked out the surrounding area, making sure the area was safe.

And then dove back in again. This bath was even more vigorous than the first, as spray was going everywhere.

However, before my camera could finish writing the images to the CF card, the sparrow took wing and disappeared into nearby bushes. Either his bath was finished, or he knew that in seconds, the sky would open up and another drenching rain shower would spew forth.

Luckily for me, I heard the rain coming before it hit and was able to get under cover before the worst started falling.

If you liked my critter photos, head to Misty Dawn's Camera Critter page and check out some of the other entries. And if you have the time, join in on the fun!

Camera Critter Meme #37

Several years ago, I took a trip back east to my old stompin' grounds in Illinois.

A lot of my family lives in that area, and I was looking forward to seeing all of them. One of the towns I spent time in, was Hoopeston, Illinois. While there, we took the time to go see the old farm outside of town, where I spent a lot of fun summers.

I don't remember animals other than chickens on the farm when I was a kid. However, when we arrived at farm, I was surprised to see Buffalo roaming the fields. I had seen Buffalo before, but I had never gotten as close to these large, powerful critters as I did that day.




Other than the main house, not much of the old farm as I remember it, remain. But it was still a nice visit a place I fondly remember.

If you liked my critter photos, head to Misty Dawn's Camera Critter page and check out some of the other entries. And if you have the time, join in on the fun!

Camera Critter Meme #36

Winter has come to the high desert.

It happens every year, so it didn't surprise anyone. But it got me thinking that I have gotten some interesting photos during this time of the year.

I might have to get more winter photos this year...but first, allow me to show you what I've gotten in years past.

American Wigeon

Canada Goose

Ring-billed Gull

These photos were taken in February 2007 at Fireman's Pond in Redmond, Oregon. It is an interesting place for waterfowl, but more importantly, a great place for insects of all kinds during the summer.

If you liked my critter photos, head to Misty Dawn's Camera Critter page and check out some of the other entries. And if you have the time, join in on the fun!

Camera Critter Meme #35

Hawks...Buzzards...whatever you call them, I love them. And shooting photos of them is a fun pastime for me.

Not long ago, I was in the ranch lands east of where I live, camera in hand, to find buteos. You see, every winter, the northern states in the continental U.S. get visitors from above the Arctic Circle, who winter here. They are known as the Rough-legged Hawk...and I think they are gorgeous birds.

Though it was the first run into Rough-legged country, it proved profitable. I hope you enjoy the shots.

Rough-legged Hawks get their name from their legs, which are covered with feathers. Though you can't see this in any of these photos, you can see the light colored head of the younger hawks.

Rough-legged Hawks

As we turned on to another road to head to the main road, I noticed a lone hawk sitting on a fence post. A quick stop produced a beautiful profile shot of a dark morph Red-tailed Hawk, which is seen below.



If you liked my critter photos, head to Misty Dawn's Camera Critter page and check out some of the other entries. And if you have the time, join in on the fun!

Camera Critter Meme #34

This weekend meme is titled Camera Critters, so this week, I'll present some of the larger critters of my area of central Oregon. For some reason, I have seen a lot more critters like this than I have been able to photograph. 8v)

Mountain Cottontail

Yellow-bellied Marmot

Belding's Ground Squirrel

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel

Western Gray Squirrel

Coyote

Mule Deer

Mule Deer

If you enjoyed my series of critter photos this week, go to Misty Dawn's Camera Critters page and check out some of the other participants. Then, play along and upload your own. Go here to learn how.

Camera Critter Meme #33

For many Americans, this week means turkey, yams, stuffing and other traditional Thanksgiving food. And on the high desert, it's no different.

However, for a lot of the residence of the high desert, Thanksgiving comes to late in the year for them. But that doesn't mean they don't enjoy a good meal.

During my travels around the high desert, I have been come across a few critters during mealtime. To paraphrase a popular saying, "It's a critter eat critter world out there."

Western Meadowhawk

Tule Bluet

Robber Fly

Robber Fly

Robber Fly

Yellow-headed Blackbird (female...probably a nestling meal)

Red-winged Blackbird (female)

American Robin

If you enjoyed my Camera Critter entry this week, go to Misty's Dawn Camera Critter Meme here and check out some of the other entries. And then...join the fun and upload your own.

Camera Critter Meme #32

I've mentioned many times how much I enjoyed my time in Texas in April of 2007. I saw many critters I don't see in central Oregon and a few I do see in the high desert.

However, it was the damselflies of Texas which puzzled me the most. The prettier the odonata, the easier it was to identify. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to ID all of them. Below are some of the shots of the damselflies of Texas I was able to acquire.

Unidentified

Unidentified

Unidentified

Variable Dancer

Rambur's Forktail - female

Rambur's Forktail - male

Variable Dancer

Double-striped Bluet

Powdered Dancer

Variable Dancer

If you enjoyed my Camera Critter entry this week, go to Misty's Dawn Camera Critter Meme here and check out some of the other entries. And then...join the fun and upload your own.

My World

I was shown this Tuesday meme by my friend, Misty Dawn, and decided I would join the fun every so often. So enjoy my first post here.

The high desert area of central Oregon isn't known for it's storms during the summer, but come Autumn and Winter, along with Spring, Pacific Ocean born storm systems move into the Pacific Northwest and slam up against the Cascade Mountains. There they sit, gathering power until they came burst forth onto the desert and bring dramatic images to anyone with a camera.

The panorama below is four images stitched together from Roberts Field in Redmond, Oregon, the main airport on the east side of the Cascade mountains. Some of the cinder cones of the volcanic peaks can seen below the clouds.


If you enjoy what you see here, got to the My World homepage and check out some of the other participants. You're find many more players here.

Camera Critter Meme #31

When I was a young kid growing up in Illinois, my family was visiting our grandparents farm in the central Illinois area. When we arrived on the farm, generally, the rest of the aunts, uncles and cousins would also arrive.

On one particular visit to the farm, myself and a group of cousins had decided it would be a good idea to play in the corn crib. On the way there, one of us found a bumble bee hive and without thinking, jabbed a stick into it.

Well, you can imagine the mass panic which ensued. If I remember correctly, my youngest uncle and one of my cousins (the poker) were the only ones stung. But that area of the farm was not a place to visit for the rest of the day.

Several years ago, while I was wandering around looking for birds to photograph, I came across a flower garden containing dozens of different flowers. And on each flower was a bumble bee. I stood there watching them for a moment and realized there were several different species. It was at that point I decided that I would also photograph bumble bees...which on my next next photo safari, turned into anything flying or crawling around on more than two legs.

Below are some of my better bumble bee shots. The first two were taken in Michigan, near the town of Kaleva. The rest were photographed during my safaris around my hometown of Redmond, Oregon. I have done my best to identify the critters, but please don't take my identification as gospel. I have been known to be wrong.

Michigan Bumble Bees

Brown-belted Bumble Bee

Golden Northern Bumble Bee

Oregon Bumble Bees

Red Saddle Bumble Bee

Morrison's Bumble Bee

Red Saddle Bumble Bee

Yellow-faced Bumble Bee

Morrison's Bumble Bee

Red Saddle Bumble Bee

Red Saddle Bumble Bee

Golden Northern Bumble Bee

These days, you can find me running to a bumble bee I see in the distance. And you will find me dejected when I arrive to late to image the critter. But one thing you can bet on...I will always be looking for bumble bees when I'm out...among other critters.

If you enjoyed my collection of bee photos, go to Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme and check out some of the other players. Better yet, join in the fun with your own critter pics.