Camera Critters #247

On Christmas Day, a friend of mine called and asked if I was doing anything and then invited me to spend the day with him and his family.

Knowing he lives in the Ochoco Mountains north of Prineville, Oregon, I said okay.  Before I headed out to his place, I checked my camera…charged batteries…empty SD card…good lens…spare batteries…all were okay and I was ready to go.

When I arrived at his place, the first thing I noticed was about a dozen Mule Deer eating out of some buckets around his house.  Naturally, the deer scattered as I got out of the vehicle, which was when I realized the two inches of snow I got 30 west of there and 2,000 feet lower, was nothing compared to the foot that had fallen at my friend’s place, and was still falling.

As I walked up to his door, I noticed a group of Dark-eyed Juncos in a nearby bush.  Of course, I raised my camera and began snapping away.  There wasn't much light at the time, but I was still able to get a photo of what is nicknamed, “Snow Birds.”



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Camera Critters #246

I had a visitor to the gazebo in the backyard the other day.  It was trying its best to get out of the screened in place and not having much luck.

So I grabbed my camera, took a couple of shots and then, with the help of a blocking broom, pointed the little fellow out to freedom.



The little guy is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  He didn’t even thank me for showing him the way to freedom.

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Camera Critters #245

One summer day in 2012, I took my camera, screwed on my close-up and walked around the yard, looking for things to get close-up shots.

Having seen very little until I made my way around to the sunflower plants, I was thrilled with everything I was seeing there.  As I attempted to get shots of the various flies on the leaves of the plants, I began focusing on one particular fly.

Slight movements of the leaf made it difficult to get a nicely focused view through the camera, so I moved a little in the hopes of blocking the wind.  Moments after I lifted the camera to my eye, something streaked in and landed on the fly.



I was able to get this one photo of the Zebra Spider before it darted off with its meal.  From the jumping spider family, these quarter inch critters are often seen in our garden.

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Camera Critters #244

I been hearing about a number of Common Redpolls arriving in my area, so Dec. 5, I decided I would head out to find some.

 Unfortunately, I only found Lesser Goldfinches feeding on the seeds of a nearby tree and Red-tailed Hawk which flew over a few minutes later.





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Camera Critters #243

A couple of weeks ago, I was in my backyard chatting with my neighbor when I heard a tap...tap behind me.

 

Thinking the sound was something flapping in the light breeze, I glanced over my shoulder, saw nothing and continued talking to my neighbor.

 

Moments later, I heard the sound again, but this time it came from above me.  I looked up and no more than 10 feet above my head, on the truck of the Lodgepole Pine I was standing next to, was a bird I hadn't seen before.

 

Before my neighbor came out, I had been taking pictures of a slug I found on the walkway, so I lifted the camera and took two shots.  The bird then moved to the other side of the trunk, stay a couple of seconds, then flew off.

 

Of the two images I shot, only one showed the bird.  However, the image is a bit degraded due to a branch from the pine moving between the camera and bird.  The second image I got, the branch completely covered the bird.

 

 

After much checking and opinions from other birders in this area, we have determined that the bird is a hybrid of the Red-breasted and Red-naped Sapsuckers. 

 

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Camera Critters #242

They are gross and disgusting and most people kill them on sight.

 

They are slugs…a Limax maximus to be specific.

 

This slug is common in the Pacific Northwest and from the number of them found in the flower garden in my back yard, common isn’t the word to describe these unwanted critters.  I found this particular slug crossing the walkway here on Nov. 18.  After all the cold weather we have had here, I was surprised it was still crawling around.

 

However, they are critters and after all, this is Camera Critters. 

 

 

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Camera Critters #241

Well, the time has come to sit back and look forward to coming spring (assuming of course, that we survive the Mayan Calendar end of the world prophecy) in the northern parts of the world. 

The insects we all enjoy, such as butterflies and dragonflies are hard to find if they are still around.  Other insects are also waiting for the coming spring weather in order to make their “buggy” appearance again. 

But the memories of the smaller critters remain in the form of photographs taken throughout the year.



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Camera Critters #240

The Belted Kingfisher has always been a difficult subject for me.  Since I don’t shoot from behind a blind, and the kingfishers is a skittish bird, it is hard to get close for a good photo.

Recently, I was at Fireman’s Pond in Redmond, Oregon, when I noticed a bird hovering on the other side of the pond.  I knew immediately what it was and began heading towards it.

As I got closer, the kingfisher turned and flew across the pond and landed on some wires along the far shore.  Again, I began trekking towards the kingfisher.  As I got about 100 feet or so away, he took to his wings and flew to the other side of the pond, landing in a tree.

And again, I began walking towards it…only to have it flush to the opposite side of the water.

As I stood there cussing out the bird, and trying to figure out how I can get a good shot of it, I developed a plan of action.  I would use the brush along the shoreline as cover and stealthily approach the bird in order to get a good shot.

It didn’t work…he saw me when I was a little more than 100 feet and off he flew.  But this time, he turned and began hovering.  Moments later he dove (I couldn’t see the end result of the dive due to the brush I was still hiding in).   Then he rose back into the air with a small fish in his bill. 

Landing on a power pole about 150 feet, the kingfisher began to enjoy his meal.

I wasn’t able to get close for good photos, but my camera does allow me to crop rather tightly and still produce a decent image for my post. 









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Camera Critters #239

Although not a rare bird in this area, they are birds I don’t often see.

 

However, while up in the mountains a couple of weeks ago, I found several American White Pelicans hanging out at Sheep Bridge in central Oregon.

 

 

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Camera Critters #238

During a trip into the mountainous regions of central Oregon, we came a Department of Fish and Game truck stocking Crane Prairie Reservoir with 10,000 fingerlings.

And the Ring-billed Gulls knew it and took full advantage of the small, confused fish. 

Several dozen of the birds were slicing and dicing through the sky looking for an easy catch.  And when a morsel was spotted, the gull dove and, in most cases, would come up with a fish.



It was an interesting day.

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Camera Critters #237

Earlier this week, a friend of mine and I decided to head into the mountains and do a little photography.

We went to a place called Sheep Bridge south of where we live and close to the mountains.  After checking out the river bank and seeing a few subjects, we decided to return to the Jeep and go elsewhere. 

As we came around a bend in the river, we both noticed a Bald Eagle on the opposite side, apparently feeding.  I began taking pictures, getting closer, taking more photos, getting a little bit closer, taking more photos, until we were directly across the river from the eagle.

As the eagle fed, a second Bald Eagle circled the one on the ground, then flew off to find a Kokanee Salmon of its own to lunch on.  Moments later, a Ring-billed Gull landed nearby and began making its way towards the eagle.



One long stare from the eagle and the gull decided it would wait and pick on the scraps.

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Camera Critters #236

Earlier this year, I grabbed my camera and headed to Fireman’s Pond.  It has always been a favorite spot of mine.  I’ve gotten photos of dragonflies, damselflies and birds.

On this particular day, I noticed a small bird flitting around the reeds and took off after it.  When it finally gave me an opportunity to image it, I fired off a couple of shots.

This is the first image, and my first sighting of a Marsh Wren.  At the same time, I was able to get a tasty morsel the wren was eyeballing.



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Camera Critters #235

It's deer season in Oregon.

And from what I am hearing from hunters, I am probably the only person seeing bucks.





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Camera Critters #233

It’s been a long time since I have seen a Wild Turkey.  Took a trip up into the Ochoco Mountains 35 miles east of here to find one.

I sure hope he knows it’s only the end of September.  He still has some time to fatten up.



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Camera Critters #233

A long time ago, when I was in grade school, I read Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven."

The poem meant little to me, as I had no idea what a Raven was.  I had thought the Common Crow seen everywhere in my young world, was the Raven of Poe lore.

Then I began travelling the world and developed an interest in birds.  I learned to tell the difference between a Raven and a Crow in flight (Ravens have tail feathers which end in a rounded point, while the tail feathers on Crows is more or less straight across its width).  I still have a bit of trouble identifying either bird by its voice.   However, for me, getting closer to the subject is a better way to identify the two.

Since settling down in central Oregon, where there is a good supply of both Ravens and Crows, I have come to appreciate Poe's foreboding avian.

The other morning while I was feeding the horses, I caught something out of the corner of my eye and saw it.  A Raven was on the top of a nearby tree watching my every move.  As I completed my chores, I would glance over towards the tree top and see the Raven still there.

So I went into the house and got my camera.  Worried that the smoke in the air from a 24,000 acres nearby fire might muddy the image, I lifted my Canon to my eye, and was able to snap off a couple of shots before the Raven flew off, joining three other Raven intent on harassing a passing Red-tailed Hawk.

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,

  Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore;

    For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

  Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber

    Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber 


door,



        With such name as "Nevermore."




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Camera Critters #232

I don’t often find a nice arachnid hanging around outside my house.  Most of them I find in my house.

But this guy decided to build a large, beautiful web between our heat pump and the Flox flowers.  And…he even showed up for a quick photo shoot.



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Camera Critters #231

This has not been a good year for my favorite subjects…lizards.

They are probably out there, but due to health reasons, I haven’t chased them much this summer.

However, earlier this summer, I was able to get a lizard in my viewfinder.  It’s a Side-blotched Lizard, common along the Dry Canyon Trail.



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Camera Critters #230

It is warbler migratory time.

I know…I saw a warbler in my apple tree.



It’s a Yellow Warbler.

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Camera Critters #228

Earlier this summer, my landlord put out several hummingbird feeders…and then she waited…and waited…and waited.

No hummingbirds were visiting the feeders.

The the Hollyhocks and Gladiolas started blooming, along with other flowers, and one morning, the wait ended.

Not only were the hummingbirds visiting the flowers, but they were also visiting the feeders.





This female Rufous Hummingbird stayed for several days, fighting off other visiting hummingbirds.  In the end, she left also…and the waiting begins again.

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Camera Critters #227

The other day, I walked out of my door and suddenly ducked my head and almost lost my balance.

Right in front of me, suspended at the height of my eyes, was a small, beige critter.  After I regained my composure, I went into the house, got my camera and close up lens and took a photo.

After a short search, I found the critter…it’s an Apple Maggot larvae, also known as an apple worm.



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Camera Critters #226

California Quail are a common sight in my neck of the desert.  I have seen them everywhere around town and out of town.  This male and female pair were happily hanging out in my favorite lizard hunting grounds until I interrupted their fun.





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Camera Critters #225

A week ago, I got the news that there was a rare bird (for this area) at the ponds north of town.  Luckily, a birding friend was also heading there to see the bird.

It didn’t take long to find the bird.



On the left is the rare bird…a Marbled Godwit.  On the right is a common bird for this area…a Greater Yellowlegs.

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Camera Critters #224

First off, I’d like to apologize for the quality of the photos this week.  However, I was seeing something I hadn’t seen before.

I’ve seen Common Green Darners, Blue-eyed Darners, Band-winged Meadowhawks and a variety of damselflies laying eggs.  But I never witnessed how Variegated Meadowhawks laid eggs…until July 13, 2012.

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Camera Critters #223

Yellow-headed Blackbirds are some of my favorite birds.  It is mainly the males which are brightly colored (see the post here) that I enjoy imaging.

However, I couldn’t pass up this female blackbird when I saw her. 


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Camera Critters #222

I was checking the flowers around the house recently and noticed a very, very tiny bug buried deep inside one of the roses.  So I did what any good critter photographer would do…I grabbed my camera, my close-up filter and headed back to the roses.

I wasn’t sure I would get a good photo of the tiny, little critter, but I did find one I really like.




I think the creature is a House Fly…well, a very tiny House Fly.

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Camera Critters #221

Friday morning I went outside to check on my Hollyhocks.  It and sunflowers are about the only flowers I really enjoy.  As I looked at the hollyhocks, I noticed a rather strange sight. 

I saw a lot of little bugs on one of my hollyhocks.  Just under an eighth of an inch long, half their length was their nose.  Of course, the first thing I did was grab my camera and screw on my closeup lens.


After I photographed it, I identified it and found ways to remove it from my hollyhocks.  For those of you who don’t know, it is a Hollyhock Weevil.  I believe the one above is a male, as I saw several of the gray colored ones riding the backs of smaller, black weevils.

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Camera Critters #220

One of the many critters I have been waiting to photograph is the dragonfly.

Although I have seen several dragonflies, until a couple of days ago, I wasn’t able to get a picture of any.  But a trip to Fireman’s Pond changed all that.

I first noticed several darners patrolling the area.  As I watched and hoped one would land so I could create an image of it, this Eight-spotted Skimmer flew by and landed about six feet in front of me.



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Camera Critters #219

I have often received emails announcing the arrival of rare birds in our area.  Sometimes I am in a position to go ‘chase’ the bird and add it to my life list.  Most of the time I can only wish I could chase.

Well, earlier this month, I was watching a number of birds hop around the elm and pine trees next door.  Grabbing my camera, I began shooting. 

Most of the birds in the trees were common birds often seen in my area.  Those birds include Western Tanagers, Orange-crowned Warblers (I have never seen the crown), White-crowned Sparrows and a number of other species.

After taking more than 200 photos of the birds, I began looking at the variety.  One bird in particular confused me.  I knew it was in the flycatcher family, but just couldn’t nail down an identification.

So I sent it to an area expert and got back a identification.

Willow Flycatcher

The Willow Flycatcher is considered a rare bird for my area during the spring and summer.  In the fall, the bird is considered uncommon.  However, it is sometimes seen as it migrates through the area on its way to breeding grounds.

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Camera Critters #218

The Two-tailed Swallowtail or if you prefer, Papilio multicaudata, is a common butterfly in this area.  They are very large butterflies with a wingspan about four inches.

I always try to get a photo of one when I see one.  A photo I took of a Two-tailed Swallowtail several years ago, was my first reference book published image.  You see it here.

When the “first seen” of the year arrived the other day, I had my camera ready.



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Camera Critters #217

About a week ago, I noticed something I hadn’t seen in at least six months.

It was a Western Tanager.  It’s one of my favorite birds and a beautiful one at that.



After all, who doesn’t like redheads?

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Camera Critters #216

It’s always a nice time for a photographer when the birds are migrating.  I see a better variety of birds in the spring than I do throughout the summer.

Earlier this week, I got some good photos of a bird which has eluded me in the past.


The Wilson’s Warbler is an active little bird, but this one gave me good looks and time for a decent photo.

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Camera Critters #215

One of my favorite birds in this area, is the Yellow-headed Blackbird.

Their bright and dark colors contrasting in the sunlight, make them a sight to see.

A week ago, I went to Fireman’s Pond to check on dragonflies.  I was lucky enough to see my first of the season.  However, I came across a fearless blackbird at the same time.

This guy was ten feet away from me, watching every move I made.  As I began shooting images of him, he began singing.  Well, what the Yellow-headed Blackbird considers singing.  Hear its voice here.



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Camera Critters #214

During a recent bike ride in the Dry Canyon area of Redmond, Oregon, I came upon a tree which was singing louder than any tree I had ever heard before.

After stopping and getting the camera ready, I realized the tree was full of Evening Grosbeaks.  There were adult males, females, juvenile males and females.  And they all were calling away.



After snapping a number of photos, I got on my bike and continued my ride.

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Camera Critters #213

It’s not often I can say I have photographed a new mammal, but today I can.

While riding along the dirt trails of the Dry Canyon in Redmond, Oregon, I noticed something in the distance.  For some reason I was thinking rabbit, until I got a little closer.  My thought then went to rock chuck, which after looking at the critter through my camera lens, I realized it wasn’t that either.

So I snapped off a few shots, moved a little closer, snapped off a few more and moved in a little closer…oops…too close.  The critter disappeared into a hole.

California Ground Squirrel

When I got home and began looking at the creature, I realized it was something I hadn’t photographed before.  There are a number of mammals I haven’t photographed, so it’s not like I’ve shot so many I’m hitting the bottom of the barrel, but I rarely see new mammals in town.

But this California Ground Squirrel was definitely a new creature.  Not only that, but they are mostly known in the western part of the state, on the other side of Cascade Mountains.

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Camera Critters #211

I can finally say spring has arrived on the High Desert.  While out on a photo safari Friday, I noticed my first butterfly sighting.  It was a beautiful Mourning Cloak.  As I approached it to get a photo, I saw another, different butterfly flit past me.
At the same time, the Mourning Cloak too off and I turned my attention to the new arrival, which had landed not far from me.

When I took the image above, my mind was saying anglewing, as I have photographed similar leps in the general area this image was taken.
However, when I showed the image to Misty, the meme’s founder and owner, she mentioned it looked like one of the punctuation butterflies.
After a discussion, I realized that she was correct.  The butterfly I photographed was not an anglewing, but instead, a Hoary Comma.
Although they look similar (see this image), the obvious difference is in the wing at the base where it meets the body.  On the butterfly above, the wing is basically straight across with a very slight angle.  The butterfly at the link has an obvious angle at that point.  Hence the name anglewing.
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Camera Critters #210

During a recent visit to Fireman’s Pond in Redmond, Oregon, I was able to photograph one of my favorite waterfowl species.

Personally, I call them Daffy Ducks because of their extremely large bills, but most people know them as Northern Shoveler, or Anas clypeata.

The shoveler is the duck in the foreground.  Behind it is a non-breeding plumage American Wigeon.

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Camera Critters #209

A couple of weeks ago, we had a break in our rotten weather and I decided I would head out for a walk around town, with my camera in hand, of course.

As I walked through a new city park, I heard the screeching of a Red-tailed Hawk.  Glancing around, I spotted one circling and as I raised my camera, it glided in for a landing on the top of a nearby tree.

I snapped off a few shots and noticed the large mass below the hawk at the top of the tree.  Looking closer, I realized it might be a nest.  As I walked around looking at the top of the tree, I felt more and more confident of my conclusion.

 

At one point, a second, smaller, Red-tailed Hawk, probably a male, circled the area.  After a few minutes, the perched hawk took off and joined the other hawk.  The pair headed to the northeast and I lost sight of them.

Since the possible nest is not far from my place, I have kept an eye on it.  The pair of Red-tailed Hawk tend to stay in the area of that tree, but I have yet to notice any sitting on the nest.

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Camera Critters #208

With spring arriving, the birds of the local area are beginning to show their breeding colors.

One of the more common birds here, are the House Finches.  Their bright red cap and neck turn an otherwise, drab bird, into something worth watching.

However, I have seen House Finches in this area which were yellow where the red normally is.  Several years, I attempted to get a photo of one which was visiting the apple tree in back, but was unsuccessful. 

A couple of weeks ago, I was walking around town with camera in hand, when I heard a finch singing away.  As I am prone to do, I lifted the camera to my eye, zoomed in on the bird and thought…”What in the world?”

This House Finch wasn’t red, nor was it yellow.  It was brown with a very slight hint of orange.  I snapped away for a dozen or so images and then continued my trek.

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Camera Critters #207

Anytime a person walks along the paved trail in the Dry Canyon recreational area of Redmond, Oregon, they will hear the loud, high-pitched warning chirps from the yellow-bellied marmot who live in the rocks along the canyon walls.

Most of the marmots, also known as rock chucks, aren’t that old, but the a week or so ago while wandering the trail area, I came across the granddaddy of all rock chucks.

Old, gray, and grumpy looking…just like the way people describe me. 8v)

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