Camera Critters #64

Beetles...they would be a lot easier to identify if they were Beatles...but alas, John, Paul, George and Ringo are in a world of their own.

And so is this Pacific Northwest beetle. There were a lot of them in the area of the Dry Canyon Trail in Redmond, Oregon. Their golden yellow and black coloring standing out on the variety of plants they were investing. There are hundreds of different species in the High Desert. Some day I might be able to name down a name for this bug.


And then there are the birds of the High Desert. I know them...at least I thought I did 8v) One day this gray flycatcher of some type lands near me, I take its photo thinking, Willow Flycatcher, only to find out it isn't what I thought it was...or is it?

The Tyrant Flycatcher family is my worst enemy when it comes to bird identification. Some day I might learn a way to tell one little gray bird from another, but for now, let's just call him a flycatcher.

I guess the best thing to say here is, Bear is good, but he isn't infallible.

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 Critters #63

As most people who have read my posts here know, I love shooting the local lizards. So once again, it's time for the four-legged, prehistoric looking critters I love so much.

I noticed this Great Basin Fence Lizard sunning on the rocks about 12 feet above in a rocky area of the Dry Canyon Trail in Redmond. He was kind enough to strike a pose for me.


This Great Basin Fence Lizard decided to stop and say hi to me...either that or he was trying to figure out what that big, long black thing sticking out of my head was.


And finally, one of the better looking reptiles in the Dry Canyon is the Side-blotched Lizard.

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 Critters #62

For the past four years or so, I have spent most of my days wandering around the central Oregon area, looking for any type of critter to photograph. At first, almost everything I would image was a new species for me.

After doing it for so long, I find most of what I photograph these days is something I already have in my collection. However, once in a while, I come across something new.

Friday, June 12, 2009, I was wandering around the departure end of the airport runway when I began to hear a strange buzzing sound. I remembered the buzzing from my childhood, but this was the first time I heard it in central Oregon. As I attempted to track down where the sound was coming from, I began to realize there were more than one and they were above me in Juniper Trees.

Then at one tree, I looked up and silhouetted against the sky was the object of my search. It was an Okanagana bella. There it was, buzzing away, five feet above me. It has been years since I have seen a cicada of any type. It was a pleasing find for me.

Okanagana bella

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 Critters #61

A week or so ago, I was out shooting in one of my favorite areas. As I walked towards a wooded area, I moved through some wildflowers and notice a black wasp flying around. When it landed on a lone flower stem at the top of a short incline, I lifted my camera and snapped this shot.

For some reason, I really like the shot. I hope you enjoy my Blue Mud Dauber on a Tumble Mustard.


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!