Saturday, October 16, 2010

Camera Critter #132

Earlier this week, I climbed into my sister’s Jeep and with a friend of mine, headed up into the mountains west of where I live.  I was hoping to get some really good shots of really cool critters. 

Well, it wasn’t to be.  There were people everywhere we went and about three hours into the trip it dawned on us…Columbus Day.

It didn’t stop us from looking so we continued on the planned trip.  At one stop at the headwaters of the Metolius River, we were hoping to find spawning Kokanee Salmon.  There weren’t any at the headwaters, and later learned they were actually about a quarter mile downstream from where we were, in an area of private land.

But I did notice something in the water there.

CRW_2763

Do you see the American Dipper in the middle of the photo?  This strange, gray bird loves the water.  I have caught glimpses of the species before, as they walked along the bottom of the river or stream I was seeing them in.  But was never able to get a shot of them.

CRW_2767

Although this guy spent most of his time in the shallows, he would “dip” now and then as can be seen above.

But for the most part, he wandered the shallows, looking for food, staying just far enough away so I couldn’t get a good close shot of him.  8v)

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over.  Go to the homepage here to see more.  Then join the fun and add your own.

8 comments:

Misty DawnS said...

This bird and I would get along... I like fishing too ;-)

LadyFi said...

What a small and delightful creature.

cat said...

Cute but very hard to spot :)

Just Me said...

Nice capture! We have birds around here that look and act like that, (I'm not a bird person so I don't know if it's the same or not) I've had a very hard time capturing a decent photo of them as well. Congratulations!

Melody ~ Blondie's Abode

Joanne Olivieri said...

Very well done. I can really see it when I enlarge the photo. Beautiful colors and style.

Jessica - Magical Mundane said...

Bird photography can be tricky, especially water birds. You did a wonderful job. I have a baby grackle up on my CC post :)

Jessica

wenn said...

great shot..

eileeninmd said...

Great bird and find, they are hard to see in the water.