Camera Critter #143

As we go into a new year, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful, prosperous year ahead.

In this part of the world, the new year is generally cold…and as I type this, it is 18 degrees.  But that doesn’t stop the birds from visiting the back yard.

Several years ago, I saw my first Varied Thrush in the Apple Tree out back.  He was a quick visitor and I didn’t see another one here until a week or so ago.  It appears this thrush is going to stick around, and hopefully give me better opportunities to capture his beauty.

I got this shot early New Year’s Eve morning.  It was taken through my kitchen window.  The window was dirty and the screen is still up.  But I believe you can still the beauty of the Varied Thrush.

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.

Camera Critter #142

Several years ago, while walking through the brush of the Dry Canyon in Redmond, Oregon, I noticed a small bug crawling around a ‘winterized’ sage plant. It traveled so fast, I couldn’t get a good shot of it.

A year later and about the same time of the year, I was again wandering the brushy areas of the Dry Canyon when I again noticed a small bug on a plant. Heading over to that plant, I saw the same sort of bug I had seen the year before. Only this time, the bug gave me time to get a portrait of it.

I have yet to identify the beetle, but believe it is in the Ladybug family. But I sure think it’s an interesting critter.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

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.

Camera Critters #141

Several years ago, I would spend my spring mornings, camera in hand, wandering in the Dry Canyon in Redmond, Oregon.

I was after bugs of any type.

One critter I kept trying to get a photo of was a Sara’s Orangetip. I’m still waiting for that opportunity…maybe spring 2011.

However, I did get images of a butterfly I really like. It’s the Zephyr Anglewing.

The Zephyr Anglewing is a gorgeous lepidoptera. It’s also very different from one to another. Although the basic pattern is on all of them, it is variable enough to allow someone who watches them, to tell individuals apart.

You can see the differences in the photos below.

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.

Camera Critters #140

Last week, I posted a photo of Lacy, a recent re-arrival to where I live.  In the month or so she has been back, she has adjusted well to her new home…or so I thought.

The other night, I had decided to leave her outside, as the weather wasn’t going to be all that bad.  Around 11:30 pm, I heard a strange sound that seemed to originate from the backyard where Lacy stays.

I got up and went to the door and realized the sound wasn’t coming from her, but actually from several blocks away.  I looked at Lacy and she was standing there, ears tucked back, looking in the direction of the sound.  It seemed to upset her.

I walked over to her and she came to me.  I unhooked her from her chain and she just stood there, looking in the direction of the sound.  That sound was the unmistakable howl of Coyotes.

Although I have heard Coyotes before, it was always in the open areas around central Oregon.  To hear the howl in the middle of town was something I wasn’t expecting.  I knelt down next to Lacy, rubbed her chest and in a reassuring voice, told her it was okay, then brought her in the house.

Although not the Coyote I heard that night, this photo was taken just outside of town on the old golf course.  The animal stood there looking at me for several minutes, then casually walked off into the nearby Junipers.  It was strange to see a Coyote in the daylight.

Since then I have seen two others in daylight.  One, I am ashamed to say, I mistook for a large cat (I really new glasses).

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.

Camera Critters #139

Well, she’s back  8v)

In 2007, my landlord and I took care of her grandson’s dog, Lacy, while they looked for a place which allowed pets.  We had her for about a year and she became a part of us.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, and circumstances have changed and again, Lacy is back with us.  She’s a lot larger now than she was before.

But, she’s still Lacy.

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.