Camera Critter #89

When I was a kid, I loved going to the Field Museum in Chicago. When a person walked through the doors, the first thing seen would be a skeleton of a dinosaur...Tyrannosaurus Rex to be exact.

It was the only T-rex skeleton I had ever seen...until December 2001. I had gone to Portland, Oregon with a friend. After picking up another friend, we headed for Oregon Museum of Science and Industry where the largest known T-rex skeleton was on temporary display.

Sue

Name "Sue" after the person who discovered the bones, the skeleton stands 13 feet tall at the hips, is 42 feet long and has a skull five feet in length.

Sue's skull

"Sue" was found in South Dakota on Aug. 12 1990. Not long after the discovery, "Sue" became a legal matter and was seized by the government. The bones were later put up for auction and when the hammer fell, the Field Museum of Natural History had the highest bid.

When "Sue" was alive, her kind lived in western North America. They were meat eaters and their jaws contained 58 teeth ranging from 7 to 12 inches in length (19.05 to 30.5 centimeters).

The first T-rex discovered was found Barnum Brown in 1902 in Hell Creek, Montana. He gave the fossil the name, Tyrannosaurus Rex, or "Tyrant Lizard King."

"Sue" is now on permanent display at the entrance of Stanley Hall at the Field Museum in Chicago. It replaces the original, incomplete skeleton I remember as a child and adds a more realistic pose to the bones.

Sue's mouth

I do like taking photos of lizards, but this would have been one lizard I would use a LARGE telescope to photograph.

Sometime in the next month or two, myself and the same friend will again head to Portland to pick up the same friend who lives there. And again, we will head to OMSI and view the bones of another Tyrannosaurus Rex. Smaller than "Sue," this one is called "Sampson" and is the most complete skeleton ever found.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #88

Ten years ago, I went back to Illinois and reunited with some old friends.

My sister and her husband were raising Rhodesian Ridgebacks They are large animals, originally bred in Africa to hunt lions...LIONS!?! When I first met their dogs a couple of years earlier, they had two, a male with a long line of champs in his blood named Jacobi and Moxi...a young female. Both animals took to me right away and we became fast buddies.

Jacobi

The next time I visited, they had two more ridgebacks, a female named Safari and another male named Bo. Bo never really took to me and when I showed up, would peak around the corner, roll his eyes and go back to doing whatever it was he was doing before I caused all the excitement. The rest would mob me when I came in and generally, Moxi would wait for me to pet her, then she would go off to her own world somewhere. Even when I confronted the newbies for the first time, they noticed Jacobi and Moxi had no problem with me, so they didn't either.

However, Safari loved being around me. From the moment I arrived, to the moment I left she was right by my side. And I loved having her around. She would growl when any of the other dogs came by me, including the big guy, Jacobi, who would growl right back at her, then look at me with those sad, puppy eyes for moment and sulk away.

The Ridgebacks

In the photo above, Jacobi is the dog standing on the left, and Bo on the right. I was feeding them treats at the time. The one lying down to my left is Moxi and tough, little Safari is at my feet, sniffing the bag of treats.

The dogs were large, but a lot of fun to be around once you got to know them. And I for one, was glad to have had the chance to make them a part of my life.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #87

A few weeks back, I mentioned that the arrival of Dark-eyed Juncos in my yard was good indication that winter had arrived. It's true, but there is also a number of other species of birds which are a sure fire sign of winter.

Two of the species are American Robins (no...they don't go south...they go west to Oregon!) and Canada Geese.

We have both species here during the other seasons of the year, but the number count during winter increases for both species tremendous. For the robins, flocks of thousands can be found in the Juniper woods of the area, and water holes throughout the region have their own groups of geese.

The photos below were taken several miles north of my place. I was looking for a Snow Goose reported in the area, but didn't find it. I did find lots of Canada Geese though.



Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #86

A couple of months ago, I was asked by a friend to watch his pets when he and his family had to leave for a few days. I wasn't bothered by the request as I had spent a lot of time with one of the family pets.

But Bradon was a new pet who I hadn't met yet and I wasn't sure how he would react to me. My apprehension was unfounded, as Bradon took to me like he had know me all his life. But he is a Golden Retriever and they are very friendly dogs.

Bradon

After spending Thanksgiving with this same friend and Bradon and his other dog, along with members of his family, he needed to drive his grandchildren home. I accompanied him on the short trip and when we arrived, I met Bradon's mother...Daisy.

Her son is a spittin' image of her and all ways. And she took to me just as quick as her son did. I very much enjoyed meeting her.

So, overall, I had a really good Thanksgiving...made a new friend...and am still stuffed 8v)

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #85

I have a confession to make...

I live in cowboy country and I have ridden a horse only once, and that happened when I was three or four. But that doesn't mean horses haven't been a part of my life after that ride.

Sometime after that horse ride, I moved to Chicago and years later entered the Air Force. Riding a horse in Chicago wasn't all that easy and it just never crossed my mind to get on a horse and ride while in the Air Force, even though the opportunities were there.

Then I retired and settled in the town of Prineville, Oregon...actually two miles north of town in the ranch lands. My landlord had several acres of land on which he kept a different animals at different times. At one point, he was keeping two horses on his property...one belonged to a neighbor and the other to his brother.

Above is "The Gray." That's what we always referred to her as, and that's what she responded to. When I showed at the fence, she came running. We were good friends. In the background is Lady...the brother's horse.

After some time in Prineville, I moved to Redmond, Oregon. Our place was not far from my sister's small ranch-style home. Her place was on five acres and it didn't take long for them to populate it with horses.

The first to arrive was Curly. Curly was my brother in laws horse. He takes Curly everywhere, whether a local ride or a distance hunt, Curly is with him. Curly is a huge horse who hasn't really taken to me much...unless I show up with an apple.

Curly

However, Curly was nice enough to pose for a portrait when I was testing my new camera years ago. An apple helped, but no one needs to know that.

Then two addition horses showed up. Sarah, a medium sized horse with an easy going temperament and Spook. Spook was a pure white horse and at night with a bright moon, a person seeing Spook in the pasture would swear he was a ghost.

Sarah

Spook

I must apologize for the bad photo of Sarah. It's the only one I have of her and it was still learning to use my camera at the time. And Spook, well he's no longer with us. But Spook was a different sort of horse. Whereas Sarah would come to me, apple or no apple, Spook kept his distance. He would let me get within a few feet and then turn and run off. But my nephew, to whom Spook belonged, could approach with no problem.

And even with all the horses I've been around, I still haven't really ridden a horse.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #84

I would like to take this time to introduce everyone to Rosco.

Rosco is my sister's pet, but don't get in his way when he sees me coming. He has spent several days with me, and I have spent an even longer amount of time with him.

The one thing that bothers me about Rosco, is that when we are alone, he thinks he's a lap dog. Have you ever had a 110 lbs lap dog land on your lap out of nowhere?

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #83

Most days when I open my door and go outside, I scare up a number of birds. They hang around the feeders hanging in the Apple Tree in the back yard.

And everyday I think, I should photograph some of these birds if I can get them to come around while I am waiting for them.

Friday afternoon, after the rain cleared the area and the sun came out, I grabbed my camera and did what I have been doing for an hour a day for the past five days...I sat down on the bench and waited.

Birds would fly to the tree, see me and zip off somewhere else...until Friday. Instead, they landed in the tree, slowly drifted down to the feeders and began feeding. Some dropped to the ground. But none of the birds spooked when I would lift my camera.

Though the light wasn't great, I was able to get a few shots of some of the birds. There were a nice variety of birds, from jays to a towhee to sparrows. And then there were the finches. The most common finch I see at the feeders is the Lesser Goldfinch. There are American Goldfinches which stop by, but by far the most common is the Lesser Goldfinch.

The finch below is a first year male, sometimes referred to as a "green-back." Males of this species have a green back. However, there are black backed finches which occur in south Texas for the most part.


Another first year bird visiting the feeders was a first year White-crowned Sparrow. This species winters in my area, and spends its summers in the higher elevations. I'll see these birds throughout the winter and then in late spring, they will disappear until late October.

Along with sparrows, the Dark-eyed Juncos also arrive. Known as "Snow birds," they too spend their summers in the higher elevations. However, I wasn't able to get a shot of one of them. They may take a little longer to get used to me.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #82

During my Air Force career, I lucky enough to go to a lot of place most people wouldn't think of going. One of those places was Thule AB, Greenland. Located about 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle, it was a cold, desolate place populated by few humans, but there was a beauty about the place I will never forget.

One of those beautiful sights happened a couple of days after my arrival. Myself and several friends took off for a road trip south of the base. Our van bounced and crawled along the dirt and rock road until it ended near a canyon. We got out and after exploring the area for a while, sat down on the edge of a cliff overlooking Baffin Bay.

It was a relatively warm day in late May 1982, however, ice still covered the bay. As we sat there talking and taking in the isolation, we became aware of a black dot on the ice to our south. As we watched, the dot got bigger and after a while, we could see we were watching a native Greenlander moving along the ice with his dog team and sled. No one said a word as the sled team passed by us and continued on its way north. When it was again a dot in the distance, without a word, we got up, went to the van and headed back to the base.

That was my first eskimo sled team. I didn't see many more in action due to the summer ice break up. However, in April of 1983, the annual sled dog race on the ice of North Star near the base was held. The course was slightly more than three miles and driver teams from far and wide arrived to participate for the prizes. Top prize in the race was a lever action 30-30 rifle.

And, part of the race allowed for a lucky member of the base population to ride as a passenger on each sled. So names were drawn and riders selected and on the day of the races, everyone was excited. I wasn't selected to ride in a sled, as my job of base newspaper editor meant covering the activities for those unable to attend the event and for publication in the Thule Times. So I was wandering around, interviewing people at the event, and joining in the festivities before the race.

Then came time for the race to begin. A large number of sled dog teams lined up side-by-side on the ice of the bay. When the starting shot was fired, off they went.

Sled dog teams in Greenland use a setup known as a fan hitch. The dogs are individually connected to the towline and are spread out in a fan shape. This allows for easier maneuvering around ice ridges and dangerous areas. Teams in Alaska and racing teams in general, use a gangline setup where pairs of dogs are connected to the towline in an in-line formation. This allows for easier maneuvering though treed areas.

So, if you look closely at the dog teams in the photos below, you'll noticed the fan hitch setup used by the Greenlandic people.

The winner approaching the finish line

The winner crossing the finish line

Dogs at rest following the race

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #81

A little more than a month ago, I was wandering one of my favorite places when I came across a spreadwing. I made a number of images of the odonata and when it flew away, thanked it and continued on my way.

That evening, I worked on post processing the image and when I finished, put it aside while I worked on the other images of the day. A couple of days later, I began trying to identify the critter.

My first thought on its ID was that of a Northern Spreadwing. I still believe the creature is a of that species. However, a week later, I was in the same area and again noticed a spreadwing flying about.

After making a number of images of it, I moved on and later that evening, processed the images. When I looked at the shots of the spreadwing, I thought, "It must be the same Northern Spreadwing."

But the other day while looking at the images again, I began to notice slight differences. In the second image, at the bottom of the main portion of the body, there is one large and one small dark spot. Those spots are not present on the body of the critter in the first image.

Looking closer at the two, I saw that along the portion of the leading edge of the wing, one of the bugs has a single vein producing two large long cells. The other bug has two veins, dividing that same portion of the wing into two large cells and one central smaller cell.

I knew then that I was looking at two different species of female spreadwings. One is the Northern Spreadwing and the other a Spotted Spreadwing.

Northern Spreadwing

Spotted Spreadwing

Had I not started to look closer at the two creatures, I might have never realized they were in fact, two different species. As much as I think I know, I am still learning every day.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #80

When I was a youngster, I had four dog as pets.

The first was breed I don't remember, but his name was Leben. I was two at the time and my dad said I could name him. So, I named him Leben. That was my way of saying eleven at the time.

Eight years later, another dog came into my life, Mickey (named for Mickey Mantle). He was a mixed Beagle breed. But Mickey's stay with us wasn't a long one and a couple of years after we lost Mickey, a friend of mine said he would trade one of his puppies for my bicycle saddlebags. After getting my parent's okay, I went to my friend's and selected the first pup to come to me.

I took him home and named him King.

King was a Shepard mix and my favorite pet of all. He and I were inseparable. When we were apart, I was as happy to see him again, as he was me. He was a big, beautiful animal who wouldn't hurt a flea, but scared a lot of people.

My mom spent the most time with King and after a while started adding to his name. King knew when he did something wrong and she was angry, as his full name was screamed rather loudly...King Elenore Rubien! And then she would find him on my bed with his head under my pillow.

We took King on trips with us. He loved my grandparent's farm, where he could romp and play with all of us kids in a world larger than anything he would see in the Chicago suburb we lived in.

Then one day while visiting my Uncle Bill's farm, we took off for the "Haunted Forest"... an area of woods which made strange noises and we enjoyed playing in. King came with us. As we walked through the pasture to the wooded area, King came face-to-face with his first cow. Rather than spending a few minutes checking it out, he turned tail and took off for the house.

Unfortunately, he had to cross a public road to get to the house. And luck wasn't with him. A rare car was coming down the road at the same time King crossed. They met in front of the house.

Not knowing what was happening, I saw my uncle's car, with my dad in the back seat, speeding down the road. They were taking King to the town vet. He kept King over night and released him the next day, much to my relief. King suffered not much more than a slight concussion. But it also changed King. He didn't like going anywhere except the grandparent's farm. Even at the suburban house, King wasn't the same. But open the door and let him out after the 100 mile trip to the farm, and he became his old self again.

I had to admit it...he was much better there than anywhere else and my grandparents liked him as much we did. So there he stayed. He's buried out on that farm somewhere, but I still remember him with fondness.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #79

I have several favorite spots in the area for shooting. Along the Dry Canyon Trail is one place. Another is Fireman's Pond near the airport.

I go there for dragonflies and waterfowl, but sometimes I come across larger birds, such as Osprey. I have found three nest sites within a mile of the pond and am sure the nest owners often visit the pond. I have seen upwards of four birds there at one time.

However, one day I came across a single bird which circled the pond, made several unsuccessful dives and then returned to circling above. Later, as I was checking out a dragonfly on a nearby weed, a large shadow passed over me. I looked up just in time to see the Osprey take wing after a successful dive.




Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #78

Autumn in central Oregon is an interesting time of the year. Over the next few days we have snow, rain, wind, sun, clouds...you name it, in our forecast. But I still enjoy it.

And, it may not be as colorful as other parts of the country, but there is something I am always looking forward to seeing.

That is the return of the Rough-legged Hawks.

They spend their summers breeding above and in the area of the Arctic Circle. When it starts to get too cold there, they head to the northern parts of the United States...and one of those parts is central Oregon.

The first Rough-legged Hawk I ever saw was perched on a fence post about 20 feet from me. It was a magnificent bird, a large bird and I didn't have a camera at the time. Since then I have acquired a camera, but haven't seen a Rough-legged Hawk in a similar position.

Below are the some of the shots I have gotten of these beautiful hawks. All were distance shots, but one of these days, I'll get that shot of the bird 20 feet away from me I so desire.



Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #76

You wouldn't know she wasn't my pet when she visits, but it is always great to see her when she does visit. She is Lacy.

The dog belongs to my landlord's grandson, but I was her main influence until she was one year old. Last weekend, she paid me a surprise visit and the reunion was a lot of fun.


Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #75

Not long ago, I got an email from a woman who works for the Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos (Nature and Forest Agency) in Belgium. She was asking if she could use a photo of mine in a planned exhibition regarding bats.

The exhibition is planned for early next year in Brussels, Belgium. For the showing, they require a file capable of printing at A3 size, or about 16x20 inches. I was glad to supply the agency the file, as at the same time, my father took ill and was being treated in a hospital in Brussels. He is home now and feeling fine, and my way of saying thanks to the good people of Belgium was to provide them the image.

So, if you're in Brussels, Belgium in early 2010 and hear about an exhibition developed for a program called, "Bat Action," drop by and check out my image being shown. If you want to know which images is being used, here it is.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #74

I am always on the lookout for a new critter to shoot, and normally I just shoot them and hope for the best. Then when I get home, upload the images to my computer and start working on them, I decide if I like the shot or not.

This particular shot, was one I lifted the camera, fired off an image and on the second frame, the bug was gone. In other words, I only got one shot of it. But when I looked at the shot, I really liked it.

All I know about this ugly, little critter is it is a member of the Tachinidae family and probably a species of Peleteria. But he sure is a cool looking fly. Besides, I love the way I cropped the shot. 8v)

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

(Editor's Note: I would like thank Misty Dawn for suggesting the crop used for this image...Sorry, Misty)

Camera Critter #73

When I am out making images, I shoot anything and everything...then worry about it when I get back home. I don't even look at the shots until I get them up on my computer. But that's where the fun begins.

Every image I make is done in RAW format, and when the light is right, in manual mode using the Sunny 16 Rule. I have found a nice workflow which makes turning the RAW image into a uploadable photo, quick and easy.

But before I upload, I want the person looking at the photo to know what they are looking at. So, I'll spend hours checking my reference books and looking through various online sites for an identification. I haven't shot many critters which I can't ID, but there is one group which constantly gives me fits. That group is moths.

Below are seven moths from my area of the high desert which I can not identify.







Maybe someday I'll locate a good reference and be able to put a name to these critters.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #72

A couple of weeks ago, I stepped out my door, looked up towards the wiring strung between my place a neighbors, and thought, I have never seen a female and male Northern Flicker together before.

So I went back inside the house, got my camera and hoping the birds were still there, stepped back outside. Sure enough, they were still there. So I took a photo, which got attention, and off they went to a different perch, far away from the strange man with the big Canon.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #71

This past Sunday, I spent the better of the day with visiting family. We were at my second favorite spot in central Oregon...Newberry National Volcanic Monument. It wasn't always called that, and to me, it is still Newberry Crater.

So, once we got to the almost 8,000 foot peak, we enjoyed the views of the surrounding area and as we began to head back to the car, I caught sight of a chipmunk. I'm not sure, but I think it is a Least Chipmunk. It's really interesting to see them at that altitude.

Later, when we decided to stop by the Big Obsidian Flow, I was wandering around and found a couple of Mountain Chickadees working over a fir tree. I snapped several images of them and came out with one I really like.

I came across a number of other critters on that trip, including four new odonata...two of which I am having difficulty identifying. And then there were the critters I saw and couldn't image....but that's another story.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #70

Before I was forced to move back into town, I lived in a wooded area west of here, near my sister's place. One of the things I enjoyed about that area was the wildlife. Mule Deer were constant visitors to property and were so accustomed to us, we could go about our normal routine and not spook them. At times, there would be upwards of a dozen or more deer laying under trees, or feeding around our house.

After moving into town a little more than six years ago, I have missed seeing the deer. Although we have had a few deer wander into town, and a couple spend an hour or so in the area of my new home, it hasn't been the same.

Thursday evening, I was at my sisters visiting with her and my brother who came in from Texas. Shortly after the sun began to set, a small herd of feeding bucks began making their way across the pasture on my sister's property.

I figured I might have enough light if I pushed the ISO, so I grabbed my camera and headed outside. After slowly and carefully walking to the fenceline, I was able to spend quite a while photographing the deer as they made their way closer and closer to me until they disappeared into the wooded area where I used to live.

One of the larger bucks from the herd

Another large buck

Not as large, but still a nice buck

A pair of alert Mule Deer bucks

The entire herd of ten

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #69

A couple of days ago, I was walking through a nature area in town. When I am in places like that, I have my camera at the ready.

As I past a sage plant, I noticed some movement on the plant. Checking closer, I saw a wasp fly up from below and land in a good spot for a photo. As I raised my camera, I wondered how much trouble the wind would be for my aging camera.

As it turned out, I was able to get a decent shot.


It took me a while to figure it out, and I still don't have definite identification, but I do know that the above wasp is a Scoliid Wasp. A similar wasp in Australia is called a Hairy Flower Wasp.

Either way, it's a rather cool looking critter.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

Camera Critter #68

Prior to developing a fascination for the lizards of this area, I grew fond of the dragonflies flying around the various places I would visit with my camera.

Friday, I went out again, in search of the greatest photo ever taken. I didn't see any lizards, and oddly enough, haven't for about two weeks now, but I did come across a couple of odonate, or dragonflies...one of which I briefly saw and was unable to get a photo of last year.

The dragonfly above is known as a Band-winged Meadowhawk. I've always loved their bright red bodies and tinted wings.

Above is the one I missed getting a good shot of last year...a Variegated Meadowhawk. Though not as pretty as the Band-winged Meadowhawk, in its own way, it is still a gorgeous critter.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!