Saturday, March 31, 2012

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?”

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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.

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.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

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.

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

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Camera Critters #206

By this time of the year in the past, I have been able to photograph lizards sunning on the heat retaining lava rocks of the area.

But for the last couple of years, March weather hasn’t been that good and the lizards, along with most non-mammalian critters, haven’t appeared until late April, and in some cases, early May. And this March is looking to be similar to the Marches of the last couple of years, with bad weather predicted to the end of the month.

This image of a Great Basin Fence Lizard was taken four years ago. It is possible this lizard is a Western Fence Lizard. However, range maps show the subspecies Great Basin Fence Lizard in this area, which is a fatter, and darker lizard. This individual was found along the walls of the dry canyon in town. In an area where there is a lot of rock from the slowly eroding basaltic columns, three species of lizards live.

One can also find Side-blotched Lizards and Sagebrush Lizards living among the rocks of the canyon.

I really had no interest in photographing lizard when I imaged my first one. However, after taking a couple photographs and seeing what great subjects they are, I can not pass by and ignore one.

Considering the weather I will have for a couple of weeks, I’ll dig into my archives of past images and hopefully show everyone a lizard shot they haven’t seen before.

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.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Camera Critters #205

Earlier this week, a friend of mine and I went to an area north of here to check on Bald Eagles.  We were hoping to find a few to photograph. 

However, we had a few problems and didn’t get to the best area to search for the majestic raptors.

But I did see one bird.

The Townsend Solitaire is year-round bird in my area.  Myadestes townsendi loves the top of trees and can normally be found there calling out.

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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.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Camera Critters #204

Yes, it’s time once again to spend a few minutes with the little love of mine…Sammi.

Monday morning we woke to five inches of snow and Sammi’s first real snowfall.  After walking around town, taking pictures with my EOS 60D which I am still getting used to, I stopped to follow Sammi around as she played in the snow.

Of the photos I shot of her, this one is my favorite.

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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.