Ashrunner's World

Camera Critters #201

2012-02-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

About five years ago, I visited my brother in Texas. The visit was a good one, as I met an old friend, got lots of photos of cool critters, and found a great place to carry a camera.

However, one dingy, gray morning, I was sitting on my brother’s back deck, camera at my side, when a caught a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye.

Scanning the area I thought was the place the movement ended, I saw the head of a bird peek around the trunk of a tree. I made sure my camera settings were set for the light conditions, lifted it and snapped off a few images of the head of the bird.

The bird then flew to a nearby branch giving me a nice view of it before it flew off to parts unknown.

I didn’t know what the bird was at the time, but I found out it was a female Golden-fronted Woodpecker…the first I had ever seen.

A close look at the area just above the base of the bill will give you a clue as to why it is called what it is called. The male of the species has a bright red cap. I wish I had seen one of them also.

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 #200

2012-02-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

First of all, happy 200th Camera Critters, folks!

This has been a good week for me. I got a new camera. It’s a Canon EOS 60D and my photo this week, is the first image I shot with the new camera.

I generally don’t like shooting Starlings (don’t like those birds), but it was the only critter I saw, when I was out looking for critters to shoot.

The image above is a little more than one fifth of the original shot. But I still have a lot to learn and get used to with the camera.

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 #199

2012-01-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

A little more than a year ago, I walked out my door to take Lacy for a walk. As I did, I noticed some movement in the tree next door.

Grabbing my camera, I followed this Downy Woodpecker as he moved up and down the tree.

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 #198

2012-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I was in the middle of taking care of my landlord’s puppy while she was away for the holidays.

I didn’t mind taking care of Sammi…she’s fun and really likes me.

However, during her stay with me, she turned from a puppy, to young woman, a bit of a mess I wasn’t prepared for. However, that has since been taken care of (the mess, not the womanhood) and Sammi is happily messing my landlord’s place.

One thing I noticed about Sammi…she doesn’t like the camera flash.

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 #197

2012-01-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

I always like to see new birds in my yard…or my neighbor’s yard. Last winter was a good year for new birds. We had numerous Varied Thrushes and at one point, you could see seven different birds in varied places around the house.

One day while attempting to get images of the thrushes, I noticed a non-thrush in the tree next door. Looking through my camera, I saw a new yard bird…an Evening Grosbeak.

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 #196

2012-01-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Several years ago, I was walking off trail, along the east wall of the dry canyon near me. My eyes caught sight of a Sara Orangetip butterfly. I had been chasing them for two years, and was hoping this was my opportunity to get an image of one.

But as I approached the Lepidoptera, my attention was drawn to a butterfly I had never seen. I immediately switched gears and turned my attention to this new bug.

Later, I was able to identify the critter as a Zephyr Anglewing. And so began a quest which continues to this day…photographing as many anglewings as possible.

In the photos below, the first image shows the butterfly with wings closed, the second partially opened and the rest full open. Note the variations of markings in the critters.

For those who have followed my posts from the beginning, you might have seen these images before. But the butterfly is beautiful, it deserves to be seen again.

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 #195

2011-12-31T05:00:00.000-08:00

After I added butterflies to “shoot list,” I began seeing all sorts of Lepidoptera, some I never knew existed.

One day in the Juniper badlands east of town, I came across one I had not seen before. It was white, with golden yellow veins. So I headed over to image it…but it flew before I could get in position. At that point the chase began.

The chase didn’t last long, as I found out the butterfly can fly a bit faster than I can run, and easily disappears when it wants.

Several weeks later, the opportunity presented itself again when I spotted a golden-veined, white butterfly off in the distance. Once again, the chase didn’t last long.

However, this time it was a successful chase. I got the photo I wanted of the white butterfly with golden veins. That butterfly is the Becker’s White.

As you can see, since then I have photographed a number of Becker’s Whites. I have even learned to recognize them from a distance just by their flying characteristics. Knowing nature sure is fun.

Have a wonderful new year 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 Critter #194

2011-12-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

As a kid, there were two kinds of butterflies I remember. The Monarch Butterfly and the Eastern Swallowtail Butterfly.

For the longest time, those were the only ones I knew. Then along came white butterflies and yellow butterflies. However, I still wasn’t paying much attention to the Lepidoptera around me.

Then, a number of years ago, I began photographing the little flying creatures. It didn’t take me long to realize there were a lot more colorful butterflies than I had previous thought.

One of my favorites these days are the blues.

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 #192

2011-12-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

I may get a lot of flak by saying this, but the Mud Hen is one ugly bird.

Also known as the American Coot, this blackish bird with a white bill is easy to identify when seen. Although primarily a waterfowl, it isn’t in the duck family. It's closest relatives are rails, which are marsh birds.

I see Coots all the time. In the water, they appear rather graceful (although still ugly), but on land…well, I think the phrase “Duck out of water” was coined after first seeing this bird waddle around.

Enough of their story…8v) It’s time to show off my better images of the old coots.

Coot feeding young

Coot feeding on pond-weed

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 #191

2011-12-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Several years ago, when I was visiting my brother in Texas, I had a list of things I wanted to see and image while there. Though I only crossed a few off my list, I did come across a few things which weren’t on my list.

On one of my early trips out and about, I came across a blue bird playing in a bush. I could see flashes of blue, but had no idea what it was. A week or so later, during one of my final ‘out and abouts',

This time I was thrilled to see it, as it was the first time I had seen that species of bird.

If you don’t recognize the birds…they are male (top) and female Blue Grosbeaks.

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 #190

2011-11-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

A little more than 10 years, I moved from Prineville to Redmond, Oregon. The house we moved into was a nice place. Close to my sister, which made my mom happy, and best of all, it was buried deep into the Juniper forest area just west of town.

Because of our location, we had a lot of critters hanging around. After a couple of months, my mom and I had named at least a dozen deer who frequent visitors to our house area. It didn’t take me long to start putting out feed for them. The deer became so accustomed to us, that when we walked the 500 feet or so to the mailbox, they’d wouldn’t even move even though we walked within five feet of them.

I realize the images above aren’t up to my quality standard, but in my defense, I had just gotten one of those Sony cameras which saved the images to a floppy disk. I was state-of-the-art at the time. 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.

Camera Critter #189

2011-11-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Mountain Bluebirds are the most common bluebird we have on the High Desert. Although Western Bluebirds are also seen.

I’ve tried to get good photos of the Mountain Bluebird, but they are very shy birds. I can never get close enough to get a good shot. But I have gotten some shots.

First Summer Male

Female Flyby

Juveniles

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 #188

2011-11-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Last week, I showed you photos of purple wildflowers with critters on them.

This week, it the most common wildflower color in the high desert, and of course, with critters on them – yellow.

I had a few more photos of yellow wildflowers with critters, but the critters just weren’t all that interesting. I do hope you enjoyed this smaller sampling.

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 #187

2011-11-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Being in a desert style climate, the major color I see here during my photo safaris is brown. Weeds dry out quickly under the intense sun we get here.

But I also see other colors. Yellow is very common. And so is the color these eight critters are checking out.

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 #186

2011-10-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

A few Camera Critters back, I presented everyone with my landlord’s puppy, Sammi.

Well, Sammi was only a five or six weeks old then. Now, the little runt is almost six months old, so I thought I would show everyone what she’s like now.

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 #185

2011-10-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, I was wandering around the smoke-jumpers area at the airport in Redmond, Oregon.

As I moved through the Junipers in the area, I began to realize several Common Ravens were having some fun in the area.

At one point I stopped and watched and attempted to get a some shots of them flying around. I got one decent which I used many moons ago here, but that was it. So I walked on.

Then I heard the typical calling sound of a rather close raven and turned in that direction. There, at the top of a Juniper tree, sat a raven staring directly at me. When these birds stare at you, you know there are some wheels turning in their head. So I brought up my camera and got a shot.

As I lowered the camera, the raven began calling again…and stopped when I brought the camera back up to my eye.

It then struck a pose for me and I swear I heard in my mind, “Regal, ain’t I?”

He held this pose for about 10 seconds, and then with a laugh and a giggle and hearty, “Hi ho Mr. Photographer,” he took off and disappeared off to the east.

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 #184

2011-10-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

So…you got a story about the one that away?

How about this one?

These Rainbow Trout are located at Wizard Falls Hatchery, located just off the Metolius River in central Oregon.

More info on the hatchery can be found here.

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 #183

2011-10-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Almost a year ago, I drove over the mountains with my landlord to get her son’s dog who had been left alone for far too long.

Lacey was added to our family and she remained a good friend to me. We walk and had fun, but I could tell something was missing in Lacey’s life.

Towards the end of May, we found a young woman who lived on a ranch…the perfect place for Lacey. So I asked Lacey if she wanted to go with the young woman, and Lacey hopped into her truck and drove off with her.

A few weeks ago, I heard from the woman I gave her to. She told me she was selling a horse and a couple came to look at the horse. They also brought their young daughter. Well, the little girl fell in love with Lacey, and Lacey with the girl. In the end, the couple left with another horse and a new dog for their daughter.

I would have liked to have been able to say goodbye to Lacey, as she is now enjoying life in Washington state. But knowing she is with a good family makes me feel good, even if I choke up a little as I type this. 8v)

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 #182

2011-10-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

One bird I always look forward to seeing is the Western Kingbird. Gray, with light yellow breasts, they are a far cry from the Eastern Kingbird which is more black and white.

Both are beautiful birds, but the Western Kingbird has a couple of look-alike which can confuse a watcher.

But in my neck of the woods, chances are the only kingbirds someone will see are the Western Kingbirds. Fifty miles north of here, however, many an Eastern Kingbird have been seen…but not by me.

Here are a few of my favorite kingbird photos.

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 #181

2011-09-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

It’s 91 degrees as I type this post…it’s also the first day of Fall.

But today, I heard a bird which is generally a sign of Winter coming.

That bird is the Townsend’s Solitaire.

A member of the same family the American Robin is in, it can normally be seen at the tops of trees, calling.

The bird is overall grayish with buff colored patches on the wings and a complete white ring around its eyes.

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 #180

2011-09-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago, I walked the River Trail at Smith Rock State Park near Terrebonne, Oregon. While there, I photographed a few things that looked good and something that was new.

I came across the following wasps on what could be American Wintercress having a great time pollen hunting. As I looked at the critters, I realized there was some beauty in them…bluish wings and brown, hairy bodies, were something I didn’t remember seeing before.

So I shot them.

It took me quite sometime to identify these wasps, but I do believe they are Scoliid wasps, possibly Scolia nobilitata.

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 #179

2011-09-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

I see jays often. In the mountains I see Stellar Jays, sometimes even Gray Jays. In town, I always see Scrub Jays.

What I don’t see is Blue Jays. It’s not that they aren’t out here, normally they aren’t. But during the winter a Blue Jay will show up…but never when and where I go to see it.

I knew that if I was to ever get a photo of a Blue Jay, I would have to head east. So in late April I was in Illinois and I looked and looked for a Blue Jay so I could shoot it (with my Canon of course).

On one of my last days there, I was at my mom’s place and there, in the trees, eyeballing her feed station, was a Blue Jay.

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 #178

2011-09-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

The American Robin is a resident where I live year round. During the winter, the population grows to the millions. Go to the Juniper badlands around here during that time of the year and you’ll most likely get tired of seeing Robins and another bird which gathers here in large numbers during the cold months…the Northern Flicker.

Recently, I walked the River Trail at Smith Rock State Park for about half its length (decided to turn around when thunderstorms began forming…don’t want to be in a canyon area when rains come). The trail I took is highlighted in red on this page -- http://www.nwhiker.com/SmithRockHike.html

It is a gorgeous hike and one I have made several times.

On this trip, I came across a lot of Robins…but not just any Robin, but juvenile Robins. I don’t think I saw a mature Robin the entire hike.

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 #177

2011-08-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of Camera Critters ago, I showed y’all a Dotted Blue butterfly. It has markings similar to a variety of small blue Lepidoptera found in my area. In case you have forgotten, here is the Dotted Blue again.

I always try to photograph these little leps whenever I can.

Several weeks ago, I was going through some of my photos and noticed one I had forgotten about (I take a lot of photos and have a limited memory 8v). I looked at the image and my first thought was, "I did image a Dotted Blue before.”

Then I looked closer at the butterfly and saw the outer fringes of the wings are not dark in any part of the fringes. I also noticed the dominate outline of the wings. I had read before about a blue butterfly in the west which has evenly colored fringes. It’s a Rita’s Blue.

However, a Rita’s Blue is not found in this area. I’ve checked a number of different blue butterflies, and find nothing to match, except the Dotted Blue. That means I did photograph one before the one above. See for yourself and if you know a definitive identity of it, let me know.

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 #176

2011-08-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

These days, I often hear Cicadas on television shows and even heard them in the background when I was talking to my mom a while back.

But this year, one place I haven’t heard them (so far) is around here. Last year, I heard a few, and even got a photo of one.

But this year, the homestead has been rather Cicada quiet on the home front.

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 #175

2011-08-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have travelled to an area near here a number of times to see what new critters are there. Generally, I see what I saw on my first trip to Lower Bridge.

However a trip Wednesday produced two new butterflies for the area…and a new lifer butterfly for me.

The first is a Lorquin's Admiral. I have come across this butterfly in different areas, mainly up in the mountains. It was a nice treat to find one in the Deschutes River canyon area.

Yes…that is my finger. I was attempting to get the butterfly to climb aboard, and just as I got close enough, I began to slip on the loose gravel I was standing on. The quick movement of me attempting to regain balance caused the admiral to fly off.

Not long after I came across the admiral, I noticed a small blue butterfly quickly flitting about. I tried to follow it to get a shot, but lost sight of it. So I went back to the admiral. After getting a number of new shots of the admiral, I began to walk the trail.

Whenever I walk the wilds here, I am constantly scanning my surroundings, looking for good subjects. As I scanned to my left, something just didn’t look right, so I walked over to investigate.

There he was…the blue butterfly I was chasing before. I lifted my camera and began shooting as I approached the plant it was on. I got a couple of shots off before the blue butterfly took flight.

When I got home, I checked the images, I realized I got me a new Lepidoptera. Called a Dotted Blue, there are five different subspecies of this critter. This one might be the subspecies enoptes, but it could also be columbiae, which is more common in my area. However, I couldn’t find a photo of that subspecies to verify.

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 #174

2011-08-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago, I spotted a beetle rapidly moving around sage in the Dry Canyon here. My attempts to photograph it didn’t work out.

In October of 2008, I noticed a similar bug, again in the Dry Canyon. However, this time it didn’t escape my camera.

After several years of here and there checking on its ID, I believe it is an Hippodamia apicalis. The speedy little critter is a member of the Lady Beetle family.

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 #173

2011-07-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Since my favorite dragonfly hunting area is currently difficult to get to, I have been exploring other areas which in the past were fairly productive.

One of those spots is Fireman’s Pond in Redmond, Oregon. Several years ago, one corner of the pond was alive with dozens of dragonflies and damselflies. However, I had been there a couple of weeks earlier and the pickin’ were slim.

But not on my last visit.

I first thought the above critter was a Blue-eyed Darner. However, I wanted verification, so I sent the image to my ‘expert.’ He identified the dragonfly as a Paddle-tailed Darner.

What makes it a special image, is it is the first I have seen of this species. Scratch another off the life list.

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 #172

2011-07-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

I go to a nearby pond often. It’s a great place to find dragonflies and damselflies. However, sometimes I find other critters there…like Osprey.

I haven’t seen any this year so far, but in the past, I have. And I have even seen them fly off with fish in their talons.

Here’s the Osprey is getting a good grip.

And finally, the trout is secure and off they go to feed.

One of these days, I hope to get a shot of one hitting the water as it grabs a fish.

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 #171

2011-07-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Many CC’s ago, I mentioned Lacey was back. She stayed with us for about six months and then we found a good ranch she would do better at. So, Lacey is now roaming a ranch, instead of being locked up in our backyard.

However, the other day, my landlord said, “I think I’ll go look at a dog.” She not only looked, but came home with a puppy.

The puppies name is Samatha (Sammi for short) and she is a Chug, a mixture between a Chihuahua and Pug.

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 #170

2011-07-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

One of my goals when I went eastward was to photograph as many new critters as I could. Well, I didn’t see all that many, but the ones I did see, for the most part, allowed me time to image them.

A good example is my post two weeks ago of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

Well, on one of my last days in Illinois, I went to the Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Nature Preserve. Wandering the paths of the park, I found a few good subjects.

One was this American Copper.

I was rather pleased to come across this butterfly. I see coppers here, but not this species.

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 #169

2011-07-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

For years here, I have hoped to cross paths with a certain type of bird. It isn’t a resident in this area, however, it has been reported on occasion.

It took a trip back east for me to see the bird for the first time.

The bird above is the American Tree Sparrow.

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Camera Critters #168

2011-06-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

When I was back east, I was looking forward to imaging new critters. I have shown some of them here in the past couple of weeks, so here's another.

I was walking along the road in front of my mother's place when an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail fluttered by and landed near a trashed soda can. It spent a few minutes there, with me waiting for it to move off so I could get a more natural photo.

But before it flew off, never to be seen again, I did manage to get a few shots. This is the best.

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Camera Critters #167

2011-06-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

It has been a cool spring in the Pacific northwest. We have yet to reach 80 degrees this year, and the last time the temperature was that high, was in mid October.

Because of the coolness, the dragonfly population has been slow to make an appearance.

However, Tuesday (June 14), I made my fifth trip to the sewage ponds north of town and found my first-of-the-year dragonflies, along with some damselflies.

The damselflies, were the typical Tule Damselfly found in vast numbers at the ponds last year. The dragonflies were also residents of the sewage ponds. The first I saw were male and female Band-winged Meadowhawk. Unfortunately, I was unable to image them.

Then, while photographing a juvenile Robin, I noticed another dragonfly land nearby. Stepping across the rocks, I was able to get my first dragonfly photo of the year…a male Variegated Meadowhawk.

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 #166

2011-06-11T03:00:00.000-07:00

They may be despised by a lot of people, but I have always enjoyed squirrels.

Where I live in Oregon there is no resident squirrel population. Occasionally, one will stop by for one reason or another, but they don’t make a home here.

However, when I was back in Illinois, I came across many squirrels. One Fox Squirrel in particular held my interest.

You think he won’t see me if I stay real still?

Yes…I do believe he sees me.

One more quick peek..oh no…he still sees me!

For the two weeks I was there, the squirrels were a constant visitor to wherever I was staying. My sister would call me when one would arrive and I’d head out with camera in hand.

I did so enjoy photographing my squirrel.

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 #165

2011-06-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

One afternoon, while sitting on my mother’s patio, watching the birds feed on the little hillside in front of me, I saw something I had never seen before.

It began with a pair of male and female Brown-headed Cowbirds, who were feeding on the seeds in the area.

Suddenly, another male cowbird swooped in and attacked the first male. I had seen birds fight before and it was generally an attack, retreat and maybe a couple of other attacks. But this one was different. It was like Friday Night Fights right in front of me! These two birds went at it, rolling in the dirt and grass of the hillside, not making a sound, but clasped onto each other with the feet, pecking and flapping their wings. It looked the world like a fight to the death.

I watched these two fight, no more than 20 feet away from me. They rolled down the hillside to a short wall along a sidewalk, with both of them falling to the cement walkway below, still fighting and still going at each other after the fall.

At this point the pair were less than 10 feet from me.

They continued to fight and roll across the sidewalk away from me until they finally split up and went their separate ways.

In all, the pair fought for a good five minutes or six minutes. I was blown away by what was happening. It was absolutely amazing.

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 #164

2011-05-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Having seen a lot of rockchucks around here, I figured someday I’d see a cousin of our local marmot, the woodchuck. Also known as a groundhog, or Marmota monax, I was surprised when, while sitting in my mother’s living room in Braidwood, Illinois, a large, gray, lumbering critter came waddling out of a wooded area and started munching on some weeds.

I asked, “Is that a woodchuck?” After a quick look, mom said, “It’s the local groundhog. He comes out now and then to eat.”

So I picked up my camera and snapped off a few shots. I guess my movement scared him, as he quickly darted back into cover and disappeared.

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Camera Critter #162

2011-05-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

I had to return to Illinois a couple of weeks ago for personal reasons. While there I hoped to be able to shoot all sorts of new critters.

One of those critters, though not new, was a Cardinal. I found several willing subjects and one bird in particular stood out.

Cardinals don’t exist in my area of the country, so it is always a treat to photograph them.

But one Cardinal sure took the cake. Named “Grandpa” by the people who see him daily, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Grandpa was a very skittish bird. Any time I tried to get an image of him that was not through the patio glass door, he flew away. Although a bit soft, this was one of the better images of him I captured.

Someone mentioned that this bird was probably in the molt. However, birds generally molt after the breeding season, then again before it. This fellow includes a mal-formed bill, along with the bald spots. Which leads me to believe he has some sort of disease.

If the person who was responsible for making the Cardinal the Illinois state bird had seen this instead of the top bird, I doubt it would have been selected.

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Camera Critter #159

2011-04-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

A recent trip to the sewage pond area north of town gave me a number of opportunities to image some critters I haven’t seen in a while.

Among those critters were Brewer’s Blackbirds. I equate these birds with Red-winged Blackbirds, or even Yellow-headed Blackbirds. They aren’t a nuisance as other ‘blackbirds’ are. And I think the color sheen they have is beautiful.

The male Brewer’s Blackbird has a nice purple sheen to its head as can be seen below.

However, the female Brewer’s Blackbird is a dull, almost colorless critter.

However, they do make a nice pair.

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Camera Critters #157

2011-04-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

The past week here has been a strange week. A week ago Friday, it was 74 degrees…our first 70 degree temp of the year. Then Sunday and Wednesday, it snowed. This is suppose to be spring! 8v)

It has me wishing for the hot days of summer. I can’t wait for the 95 degree plus, cloudless skies we get here in the high desert. And when those days come, I’ll hopefully be able to improve upon the photos below.

Wasps of different species abound here. Most I can determine the species they belong to. However, the black wasps are a different story. I need better images to ID them.

And then there are bees. I see so many different types of bees here. Anything from bumblebees to honey bees to carpenter bees. I shoot all of them and hope to shoot a lot more images of them this summer.

But that all requires for winter to end in the high desert!

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Camera Critters #156

2011-04-01T23:25:00.001-07:00

After finally getting a glimpse of spring, I decided it was time to make my first trip to one of my favorite shooting spots…the Redmond sewage ponds.

Unfortunately, I pick a very windy day to make the 8 mile trip to the ponds. Head winds blowing at 25-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph made the trip on the bicycle very tiring. However, the homeward trip was a lot easier.

I was hoping to see some bugs, and maybe an eagle or two which have been reported there recently. But I found no bugs…and a few birds.

Pictured above are some Buffleheads (don’t ever call them Buffaloheads around a die-hard birder!) and Mallards. They were the most numerous birds on the ponds.

I also found a number of Killdeer along the shore. But overall, there were few birds and ever fewer bugs.

It may have been the windy condition, but it could also have been our local weather. It’s been below 60 since mid-February.

Finally, I want to congratulate Misty Dawn for three years of Camera Critters. I hope it is still going strong after six years.

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Camera Critters #155

2011-03-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

When I settled in central Oregon, I didn’t think I would miss squirrels…but I do. I never saw one when I lived in Prineville.

When I moved to Redmond, once again, no squirrels.

Then one morning after I sat down at my computer, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement at a seed bell I hung in a tree right outside my window. For a moment, my thought was, “What’s he doing here?”

Then I stopped asking questions, grabbed the camera and began shooting. At that time, my camera was a Sony Mavica FD-90, which saved images to floppy disks. I fired a few, then sat and watched as the Western Gray Squirrel made a meal of the seeds in the bell.

Western Gray Squirrels are found primarily along the coastal areas, but are also associated with the Ponderosa Pines on the east side of the Cascades where I live. But there are no Ponderosa Pines near my house…only Juniper Trees.

The squirrel continued hanging out in the area for most of the year. During the summer, I would toss unshelled peanuts out for it, which it would quickly grab and bury in the loose soil. Unfortunately, a Western Scrub Jay also hung around for the peanut fest and as the squirrel buried a peanut, the jay would remove it, and rebury it somewhere else.

I guess the Gray Squirrel got tired of the game and took off for parts unknown. I never saw him again.

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Camera Critters #154

2011-03-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

By this time in past years, I would be out trying to get nice images of various critters in the central Oregon area.

However, as I type this (Friday evening), the ground is covered with the wintry white stuff and it’s still falling.

I don’t mind, but sure wish it would warm up so I can go after the critters.

In those past years, I have gotten several photos that I really like. The image below is one I have submitted to a number of photo contests with no result. I guess few people see the humor I see in it.

This Soldier Beetle, which I found at Lake Billy Chinook, north of me, spent several minute ‘playing’ around on the end of the twig. I stood there watching and sometimes firing off images as he continued his antics.

When I looked at my images at home, this particular image caused me to burst out laughing.

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Camera Critters #152

2011-03-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Sometime around the middle part of last year, construction of a leash free dog park began in Redmond, Oregon. At first, I didn’t pay much attention to the park. But now it is a regular activity for Lacy and me.

The above image is from the far north end of the park looking south.

Above, is the view from the entry gates seen on the right side in the distance of the first photo.

As can be seen, the park is fenced in. There are actually two parks. A large dog section and a small dog section.

When I first took Lacy to the park, I was concerned with how she would react with the other dogs…and the people. She has had some difficult times in the past, but she took to the park well.

As can be seen in the image above, she is a happy puppy when at the park. Generally, when we are the only ones there, she will run and explore and forget I am around. However, if any other dogs arrive, she rarely gets more than 25 or so feet away from me.

But lately, she has been making friends.

Lacy (on the left) has begun to play with other dogs…but only briefly. I’m sure that will improve over time. And like people, she has met some dogs she enjoys being around, and some dogs she doesn’t like being near.

Lacy enjoys the park so much these days, that she wants to go every day. At the house, when she nudges my arm with her nose and I ask her what she wants, she walks to my closet and begins tugging on the jeans I wear when I take her there.

Besides, I enjoy taking her there just as much as she enjoys going there. The exercise does me good…I hope 8v)

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Camera Critters #151

2011-02-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

The Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon subspecies, is a common bird here during the winter. Known locally as “Snow Birds,” they spend their winters in the low lands, and summer in the higher elevations.

In the fall, it’s easy to tell when winter arrives, as the snow birds show up right around the same time the temperature starts to fall.

Then in the spring, they disappear right around the same time the temperature starts rising.

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Camera Critter #150

2011-02-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

One of the sure signs of spring for me, is the return of the breeding males. Normally, this begins in late March. However, spring has sprung early this year in my world of birds.

I had originally grabbed my camera to get a photo of yet another new ‘yard bird’ for me…a Red-tailed Hawk. However, as I lifted my camera, he got nervous and flew off. But shortly after he departed the area, the little birds returned and I was able to capture several male Lesser Goldfinches and one male House Finch.

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Camera Critters #149

2011-02-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Western Meadowhawks are a common dragonfly in my area. I guess they like the hot, dryness of the high desert as much as I do.

However, when I shot this guy this past summer, I didn’t know the hitchhiker on the tail end. Looks like mites will latch on to anything.

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Camera Critters #148

2011-02-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Last week, I presented a new yard bird for me as my entry. This week, I’m doing it again.

Towards evening last Monday, I stepped outside with Lacy. As always, I glance around to see what’s going on. Up on the telephone pole just behind the house, I noticed a bird, dining on something.

I went inside, got my camera and began shooting. I thought at first the bird was a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Later when I put the image on the computer, I couldn’t decide whether it was a Prairie Falcon, or a Peregrine Falcon.

Unable to decide, I sent the image to a friend of mine who always helps me with bird photos.

It may be a messy photo, but at least I know what it is now. 8v)

The bird, which was dining on a field mouse, I found out, is, abracadabra…a Merlin.

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Camera Critters #147

2011-01-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

It’s always nice to see a new bird in my yard…and my Camera Critter for this week, is just that…a new yard bird.

It’s not that Downy Woodpeckers are rare here, it is just they normally don’t stop in my yard and give me time to photograph them.

But this guy did 8v)

Aren’t you glad he did?

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Camera Critter #145

2011-01-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Yes…I did post an image of this species, maybe even the same bird, two weeks ago. But this is such a beautiful image, I just had to pass it on for y’all to see.

Once again…the Varied Thrush.

Oh…and if I get an even better shot of this beautiful bird in the coming week, you’ll see it again. 8v)

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Camera Critters #144

2011-01-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Several years ago, while walking through a nearby park, I noticed something moving around in a tree.

As I got closer, I realized the movement was being caused by a Yellow Warbler. Having seen very few and never having got a good photo of one, I moved around the tree with the bird, capturing one image after another, hoping at least one would come out looking nice.

Well, I succeeded.

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Camera Critter #143

2010-12-31T12:04:00.001-08:00

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.

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Camera Critter #142

2010-12-24T17:25:00.000-08:00

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!

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Camera Critters #141

2010-12-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

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.

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Camera Critters #140

2010-12-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

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).

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Camera Critters #139

2010-12-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

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.

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Camera Critters #138

2010-11-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to do during the winter is travel the ranch lands east of town in search of raptors.

It is this time of year that the Rough-legged Hawk moves down here to escape the cold of the bird’s summer Arctic retreat.

So Thursday, while heading to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, I checked out Raptor Land.

I saw a lot of Rough-legged Hawks way out in the middle of pastures, but only one up close, who just happened to get nervous about my presence as I lifted my camera.

But it was two Red-tailed Hawks who graced the view in my camera. Both birds seemed, either a little upset at my presence, or were thinking, “Hummm…Turkey dinner?”

The following juvenile hawk really decided to look things over.

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Camera Critters #137

2010-11-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Not long ago, I presented an image of an American Dipper which I took in October. In the post, I mentioned it was the first Dipper I had imaged.

Well, I was wrong.

In July of 2008, while photographing some of the waterfalls in the Cascades with a friend, I came across a small fledgling bird in a tree, begging for food. Although the light wasn’t great and the bird was moving around a lot, I managed to get two good images of the critter.

When I returned home, I didn’t think much of the photos and put them in the ‘So-so’ folder.

The other day I was going over the images in the folder and came across the two fledgling photos. To my surprise, I recognized the little fellow I had imaged.

Meet the fledging American Dipper. If you look close, you’ll see it still has some of its youthful feathering around the head.

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Camera Critters #136

2010-11-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

I was all set to post this last week for my Camera Critter, but a sudden onset of computer problems prevented it from happening. So, it’s a week late, but still good 8v)

Lesser Goldfinch are a common bird here in the summer months. Recently, the bird has become a year-round visitor to feeders throughout central Oregon.

On Halloween, I was surprised to see one at one of the seed socks in the backyard. I was surprised not because he was there, though in previous years the bird normally leaves by this time, but by how he looked.

This bird still had its summer breeding plumage, although not as brightly colored as the bird looked during the breeding season.

By the way, the brown streaked bird is a Pine Siskin and the one on the back side of the sock is another Lesser Goldfinch.

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Camera Critters #134

2010-10-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Shorebirds are something I still need to learn a lot about. I can identify some, but most give me headache trying to figure out.

Several weeks ago, while at the sewage ponds north of town, I could see shorebirds off in the distance. As I got close to them, they took to the air and began flying back and forth across the pond.

I wasn’t sure what they were, so I waited for them to pass by me so I could get a shot of the flock. I was able to get a number of shots on several of the passes the birds made.

After I returned home and got the images on the computer, I was able to determine the birds were Long-billed Dowitchers.

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Camera Critter #133

2010-10-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

When I first started birding, the first waterfowl I learned to identify without consulting a book, was the Bufflehead.

One day while talking with other birders, I mispronounced the name and said, “Buffalohead.” Several of the people jumped on my mistake and made sure I corrected it.

I never forgot that lesson, and the other day when I saw some Buffleheads on the water at the Redmond sewage ponds, I began the stalk. However, they were well aware of what I was doing and soon as I would get close enough to lift my camera, off they flew to the other side.

I decided to snap off a long shot of them just in case I couldn’t get a good close shot.

I’m glad I did.

The bird with the white body and head is the male. The others are the female Buffleheads.

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Camera Critter #132

2010-10-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

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)

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Camera Critter #131

2010-10-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

This year was a good year for me during my visits to the Redmond sewage ponds.

I was able to photograph new birds and a couple of rare birds which I found at the ponds.

One of the new birds was a Wilson’s Snipe.

I watched this bird poke around the shoreline for a meal and then continued on my way. After taking a few steps, I turned and looked at the snipe and saw it had moved into a weedy area and had hunkered down. I decided to take another photo of it.

It wasn’t until I got home and was looking at the photos, that I noticed there was a second snipe to the left of the first one I saw.

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Camera Critter #130

2010-10-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

The other night, I was watching a television show I had recorded earlier. As I relaxed in my Lazyboy, I would hear sounds similar to those of someone hitting the wooden fence along the property line.

I paused the program and listened, and not hearing anything, assumed it came from the TV and went back to the show. A few minutes later, I heard the sound again and again, paused the show.

However, this time I heard the sound and it was coming from outside my door. I walked over to it and turned on the porch light.

And what to my surprised eyes did I see?

I have known Raccoons are in my area, but I had never seen one until I turned on that porch light. There were actually three of them (I later saw a third deep in the shadows of the apple tree), however the two pictured were cut off from the third because of where I was. As soon as I moved and didn’t pose a threat to their retreat through the branches, off they went and disappeared out of sight.

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Camera Critter #129

2010-09-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

On the morning of Sept. 9, I hoped on my bike and headed out to the sewage ponds north of town.

When I arrived, I began walking around the perimeter, looking to see what I could see and photograph. There were a few critters, and I snapped off photos of them as I saw them.

At one point, I pulled out my pocket binoculars and scanned the waters. There on the other side were several Northern Shovelers. I really like the looks of the shovelers, so I continued my trek along the shore in the hopes of getting good shots.

As I rounded the northwest corner of the pond, I looked down the shoreline and was pleased to see the shovelers still there. I kept my eyes on them as I approached and walked directly towards the birds. Suddenly, they spooked and flew off.

I continued on my way and noticed a group of people standing near the entrance to the ponds. As I approached, I realized they were members of a birding group, some of whom I knew. When I reached the group, the first thing they asked me was, “What is that large, dark bird on the shoreline?” My surprise at the question was followed with them telling me I walked right by it…but I didn’t see it.

Well, I had to redeem myself, so I walked back to the area of the bird, got low, and scrunched my way as close as possible to it and took the image below.

The bird is a juvenile Parasitic Jaeger, a rare visitor to this area. When I went back to the group, they were discussing what they thought the bird was. At the time, the consensus was that the bird was a Long-tailed Jaeger, another rare visitor to this area. Pleased with our sighting, the group went off to another area, and I got on my bicycle and headed home.

After looking at the photo, I began to think our initial identification was possibly incorrect. The Long-tailed Jaeger looks very similar to the Parasitic Jaeger, except it's bill is thicker and has black covering almost half the length. Whereas the Parasitic Jaeger has a thinner bill and black only about one third the length. As you can see on the image above, the black does seem to cover only a third of the bill.

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Camera Critter #128

2010-09-18T11:00:00.001-07:00

Birds are moving through the area on their south-bound migration. But these three are common birds here.

Least Sandpipers can be found throughout the west. These juvenile birds part of a small flock at the sewage ponds north of Redmond, Oregon.

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Camera Critter #127

2010-09-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

I like to shoot birds. I use a Canon when I do it…and I really enjoy doing it. My Canon takes great photos…but in my opinion, 95 percent of a good photo is getting the right setup.

One of the birds I have always had a difficult time getting the right setup, is the Barn Swallow. The bird is either flying or sitting on a wire somewhere, and a wire doesn’t look natural to me.

So, I’m always looking for a natural scene to shoot a Barn Swallow in.

Wednesday, I was at the sewage ponds north of town. I was after some rare-for-this-area sandpipers, which I was able to image, along with an even rarer bird, but that’s another story. As I came to an area I have always had good luck with dragonflies at, I saw it…a Barn Swallow in a natural pose. And, it even let me get fairly close and grab a great shot…well, I think it is.

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

Camera Critter #126

2010-09-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

A little more than three years ago, I spent some time in San Antonio visiting my brother and friends.

I had lived in San Antonio for four years or so during my Air Force career and one of the things I remember most from those days were the lizards. Not knowing what they were, I called them chameleons.

However, on my last trip there, I knew they were actually called Green Anoles. One of the reasons I called them chameleons, was they had color-changing abilities. I only remember two colors and those two colors are shown below.

Both critters are Green Anoles, but they are also known as the Carolina Anole, American Anole and Red-throated Anole…though I wasn’t able to photograph the critter flashing its red throat.

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

Camera Critter #125

2010-08-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Not long ago, I came home from a good photo safari and sent one of my favorite images to a friend for her to see. She really likes dragonflies, ya know.

I sent it to her with the comment, “First Western Pondhawk male.” The reply I got was “It sure looks like a Blue Dasher. You sure it isn’t one?”

At that point I was sure I had photographed a Western Pondhawk and not a Blue Dasher. But I’ve been wrong before, so I double-checked my fact and you know what?

It was a Blue Dasher! Thank you, Misty for pointing out my mistake 8v)

So, may I present the Western Pon….errr…Blue Dasher. 8v) I do like this photo.

Oh…and if you’re wondering why I determined it wasn’t a Western Pondhawk, just look at the face. A Blue Dasher’s face is white, while a Western Pondhawk’s face is greenish.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters from around the world. Go to the homepage here and check out some of the other entries. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critters #124

2010-08-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

As I have mentioned before, the sewage ponds north of Redmond, Oregon are a good place to find a large variety of birds, dragonflies and other critters.

I have photographed rare birds there; first time dragonflies and have gotten better photos of previously imaged critters.

This week, I’ve selected sandpipers as my subject.

I have gotten an image of a Western Sandpiper before, but it was a long way off and not that great. However, on Aug. 5, I was able to get close enough to get a better photo.

Western Sandpiper

At the same time, was able to get a photo of a new bird, the Least Sandpiper. It isn’t a rare bird for this area, but has eluded me until I found one at the ponds.

Least Sandpiper

Though the birds look similar at a quick glance, looking closely will show the Western Sandpiper with black legs and the Least Sandpiper with greenish legs. There are other marks which tell someone the species, but those two are the most prominent.

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

Camera Critter #123

2010-08-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Last week, I made another trip to the sewage ponds north of town. I’m glad I did.

Not only did I enjoy the ride in the central Oregon heat, but I was able to image four new dragonflies.

However, what I was really pleased with was obtaining a complete family portrait of a beautiful odonata. That dragonfly family is the Variegated Meadowhawk.

Three years ago, Misty Dawn sent me a photo of a dragonfly she took and asked me to identify it. It was a female Variegated Meadowhawk…and it was a beautiful bug. At the time, I gave her a link to the male of the species, which was even more beautiful.

A year later, I found my own female Variegated Meadowhawk, and got a so-so image of it. But I didn’t give up and last year got an even better image of one.

But last week, I hit the mother-lode. Variegated Meadowhawks were everywhere and I had a blast photographing as many as I could.

Juvenile Male

Female

Male

But the best shot I have saved for the end. While running from one plant to another, I would see Eight-spotted Skimmers competing for the tops of some of the plants. Then I saw a skimmer push a meadowhawk off a plant top. As the skimmer began to enjoy basking in the sun at his new found perch, the meadowhawk came back.

Moments later, the meadowhawk was back on the perch and the skimmer had found another.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critter the world over. Stop by the homepage here and check out some more critters. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critter #122

2010-08-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

I occasionally read an internet post about a rare bird in my area, but having no motorized transportation, it's difficult for me to the area to see the bird.

Then there is the times when I can get to the area, and look and look and look and end up not seeing the rare bird.

Last week, I read a posting on the local birding mailing list that a rare sandpiper was seen at the Redmond sewage ponds. Before you cringe and stop reading, the ponds are not as bad as they sound...there's little or no smell...but the birds like the area.

To continue, last Friday, I decided to head to the ponds to see if I could see this rare sandpiper. So I hopped on my bicycle and headed north out of town. It's about 7 miles to the pond area and once there, I have to cross a fence, but it was worth the trouble.

As I began working my way around the largest pond, I started thinking I had missed the rarity once again. However, after walking three quarters of the way around the shoreline, I saw a solitary, gray bird wading in the water not far off shore.

Lifting my camera, I was finally able to photograph a rare bird for my area. Below, you will find the image I made of a Solitary Sandpiper...normally found east of the Rocky Mountains.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critter the world over. Stop by the homepage here and check out some more critters. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critter #121

2010-07-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, I was at one of my favorite spots looking for odonata (dragonflies, if you’re wondering).

I didn’t see any, but along the shoreline there was a large gathering of wildflowers and within them…bees.

I enjoy watching bees do “their thing,” especially bumblebees. While watching the bees, I noticed two different types of bumblebees.

One had a small, single yellowish-white stripe near the end of the abdomen, and the other is typical of most bumblebees I see in my area. It had a yellowish-white stripe further up from the end of the abdomen and on top of that, an orange stripe.

But bees gave me good looks and the time to get a decent photo (even after I had screwed up my initial settings as I shot the top bee’s photo).

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

Camera Critter #120

2010-07-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Walking along the trails of the Dry Canyon in Redmond, Oregon, I noticed a something strange about a Queen Ann's Lace flower. It was maybe twenty feet away, yet something didn't seem right about it.

As I got closer, I realized what made it look strange, what the Artichoke Plume Moth. It may not actually be an Artichoke Plume Moth, I do know it is a Plum Moth. The common house fly which landed as I was imaging the moth was an added bonus...or not.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters the world over. Stop by the homepage here and check out more critters. Then join the fun and add your own.

Since originally posting this, I have found the flower is actually a Common Yarrow, not as I state above, a Queen Ann's Lace. Thanks Misty for getting me to double check the name.

Camera Critter #119

2010-07-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Does lightning strikes the same place twice?

Can history repeat?

If you ask me, the answer to both questions is yes!

On July 7, 2007, I was walking along a spit at what I called Dragonfly Corner of Fireman's Pond in Redmond, Oregon. As I came near the end of the dry land, I noticed an Eight-spotted Skimmer sitting on the top of a reed in the water. I raised my camera and shot the image below.

Fast forward to July 15, 2010. I was again at Dragonfly Corner at Fireman's Pond, and again, I was walking on the spit. As I neared the end, in almost the same spot, I noticed another male Eight-spotted Skimmer sitting on the tip of a reed in the water. Remembering the shot three years earlier, I raised my camera and produced the following image.

Although they look similar, they are not the same critter...same species, but different bug. However, I almost captured the same image I captured three years earlier.

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

Camera Critter #118

2010-07-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned before that this year I have had a nice variety of new birds stop by my Apple Tree and enjoy the snacks I have out there for them.

Well, once again, I have another bird. It isn't the first time I have seen one, and not even the first time I have seen one in my Apple Tree. But it is the first time I have gotten a good photo of one.

So, enjoy the Pine Siskin.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critter the world over. Go to the homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critter #117

2010-07-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I was walking around the Dry Canyon area of Redmond, Oregon, when I decided to move into a Juniper stand to check for birds. As I walked around a bush, I came face-to-face with a doe Mule Deer. I've seen deer in the Dry Canyon before, but none the size of this does.

We stood there staring at each other for a moment or two, when she turned and slowly walked deeper into the trees. As I watched her leave, my eyes recognized something else in the area.

There he was...a nice 3-point buck in velvet, staring at me, no more than 30 feet away. Again, we stared at each other and then he too got up, and both the deer slowly walked away to the right, to a thicker stand of trees.

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

Camera Critter #116

2010-06-24T16:55:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, I began hearing a loud racket outside my door.

Knowing the racket was from American Crows, I grabbed my camera and went out to take a look.

Well, this is what I saw...

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here and join the fun.

Camera Critter #115

2010-06-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's another bird week for me and Camera Critters, but I can't help it with this critter.

The Yellow-headed Blackbird is a gorgeous avian. I've used them before here, but heck...who can resist using a photo of one of these over and over?

Misty Dawn's Camera Critters Meme is a great way to see all sorts of critters the world over. Go to the homepage here and check out more critters. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critter #114

2010-06-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

When I lived just outside a small town east of my current location, I would see Brown-headed Cowbirds two or three times a month. After all, they are a rather common bird in central Oregon.

However, since moving to Redmond, I hadn't seen a Brown-headed Cowbird at all...until last Sunday. Not only did I find a male at my feeder, but I also found a female with him

Male Brown-headed Cowbird

Female Brown-headed Cowbird

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critter from around the world. Go to the homepage here and check out more photos. Then add your own and join the fun.

Camera Critter #113

2010-06-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Last year around this time, I was shooting a variety of critters, from the bee shown here, to beetles to flies to butterflies. I was having a blast.

But so far this year, wildflowers haven't bloomed, few critters of any type other than birds are showing up, and I'm desperately waiting for better weather. It's been cool, cloudy and wet for the better part of the spring. We have had maybe a half dozen days when the temperature was above 70.

But hopefully that will soon change...and I, again, will be a happy photographer.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way the see photos of critters from around the world. Stop by the homepage here and check out more. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critter #112

2010-05-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

Spring is a great time of the year for birds. I have seen more 'new' birds in my yard this year, than I have in the past five years.

Last Sunday, I was returning from my morning breakfast treat, when I heard a strange sound in a nearby tree. I looked towards the sound and from a distance, thought I was looking at a Baltimore Oriole.

So, once again, I run into the house, grab my camera and lift it to my eye. Alas, it wasn't a Baltimore Oriole (which would have been a very rare bird for this area), but a bird I had never seen before...a Black-headed Grosbeak.

I have been with other people who have seen one, but each time they call out the bird, by the time I turn to see it, the bird has flown and I missed my chance to add this species to my life list.

But it is on the list now. 8v)

One thing about this bird...its bill has either been injured or a disease affected it. It is not the normal bill of the Black-headed Grosbeak.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critter the world over. Go to the meme's homepage here and check out some of the other critters. Then join the fun and add your own critter to the list.

Camera Critter #111

2010-05-22T03:30:00.000-07:00

Back during the last century, I lived just north of a small town, called Prineville, Oregon. One of the nice things about the area was I could always count on strange birds showing up. One day in May, I saw a Black and White Warbler, which rarely moves west of the Rocky Mountains.

Another time, I spied a Wilson's Warbler flitting about in the rose bushes of the house next door. It was a really cute critter, being overall yellow with a nice black cap. It reminded me of an American Goldfinch. But I never saw another of those birds...until this week.

I was out in my backyard and noticed a little yellow bird quickly moving around the branches of the Apple Tree. I went inside and grabbed my camera and after missing opportunity after opportunity to get a photo of the bird, finally got one.

At first I didn't know what it was. After all, it has been 15 years since I last saw one and it wasn't on my radar at all. After pouring over my reference material several times, I decided I would ask a local bird expert, so I sent him the image.

Less than an hour later, he replied telling me the bird in the image above is in fact a Wilson's Warbler.

It's very hard to see, but if you look carefully, you can just make out the black cap on top of the bird's head. I missed it completely until it was pointed out to me.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters from around the world. Go to the homepage here and check out other critters. Then add your own and join the fun.

Camera Critter #110

2010-05-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Several months ago, I posted a Camera Critter showing the fossilized remains of a Tyrannosaurus Rex named Sue. (see the post here) I had gone to see the display at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in 2001.

Not long after I made that post, another Tyrannosaurus Rex display went up inside the walls of OMSI. This T-Rex is named Samson.

(click to enlarge)

Samson was discovered in South Dakota in 1987. It has been estimated the dinosaur was about 40 feet long and could have looked into a second-story window. It weighed about 7 1/2 tons.

As a display item, Samson stand about 15 feet high and is just under 40 feet in length.

And of course while there, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to photograph the fossilized critter below.

The above fossil is a Dire Wolf found in the plains of Kansas.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters from around the world. Stop the homepage here to see more, then add your own and join the fun.

Camera Critter #109

2010-05-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Towards the end of the last century, I lived near a small town east of here called, Prineville. I rented a mobile home on a small ranch two miles north of town.

I shared the land with my landlord. They lived in a house next door with their granddaughter. One day she came home with a pup. It was a beautiful animal, half Lab and half Healer, who she named Toby.

Toby took me to instantly and he always looked forward to my visits, and me his. When I moved to where I now live, I said goodbye to Toby and never saw him again.

But he is still a gorgeous dog and one of my favorites.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters from around the world. Go to the homepage here and check out other posts. Then join the fun and add your own.

Camera Critter #108

2010-05-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm always looking for something new to image. And when that something appears in my backyard, I'm happy.

This Evening Grosbeak isn't the first one I have seen, but it is the first one I have gotten a decent photo of.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the home page here and check out others. Then join the fun and post your own critter photo.

Camera Critter #107

2010-04-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Rock chucks aren't thought of in a friendly manner around here. Know formerly as Yellow-bellied Marmots, they tend to destroy property and are generally a nuisance.

However, in the Dry Canyon of Redmond, Oregon, they are in their element.

I was able to capture this critter in mid chirp as it sounded the alarm call on my approach.

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

Camera Critter #106

2010-04-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

In my area, there is a large number of active birders. They make good use of the internet sending out rare bird reports, and at this time of the year, announcing new arrivals for the summer.

I, myself, am not as involved in birding as other are. I record birds I see through my camera and if it's a rare bird, I will make an announcement of it. But I generally don't keep track of when birds arrive around me and the like.

However, the other day I noticed a bird I had not seen in my yard before. I snapped a photo of it and knowing what it was, sent it to a friend of mine who is active in the birding community. He has my permission to use any of my bird photos for educational purposes. Unknown to me, it was the first reported reappearance of the species this year.

First of the year Chipping Sparrow for here

However, I don't think the fellow like me taking his picture as he immediately turned and stared me down.

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

Camera Critter #105

2010-04-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's only one image, but it's what I am truly waiting for...summer on the high desert.

I don't know the species of the sweat bee above, but I loved the coordinated colors of the shot the moment I saw it.

The high desert summers are almost as bland in color as the fall and winter. For the most part, there isn't a spring here...unless you count the migrating birds as proof of spring. It's late in the calendar version of spring that life begins to blossom here. Colors pop up in the dull brown backdrop all around...and those colors sparkle and jump out at a person.

I just can't wait for the explosion of color here.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see animals from around the world. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and post your own Camera Critter.

Camera Critter #104

2010-04-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Last week, I introduced everyone to the local lizards known as the Common Side-blotched Lizard. This week, it's the Great Basin Fence Lizard, a subspecies of the Western Fence Lizard.

This was the species of lizard which got me interested in them. Every time I wandered the badlands in the area of the airport looking for 'other critters,' I would see these little guys and one day, I took a good look at one and you know what? I liked what I saw.

All of these lizards (including the one's from last week) were photographed along the Dry Canyon Trail. It's a popular place for people to walk and enjoy nature. I meet a lot of people during the walks and sometimes I get into conversations. On a safari walk a couple of weeks ago, I ran into a gentleman who noticed I was photographing the Side-blotched Lizards. As we talked, he mentioned that I needed to be careful around 'those lizards' as they are dangerous. He went on to tell me they were baby Gila Monsters (see last week's post here). I tried to explain what they really were, but he insisted since he had lived in Arizona and saw them all the time.

Well, if the Side-blotch Lizard is Gila Monster, then the Great Basin Fence Lizard must be a baby Komodo Dragon...at least that's the joke I have going with the wonderful host of this meme. Just look at the critter in the image above. He could easily pass as a dragon!

But the best thing going for the fence lizards is their undersides. The males (and to a lesser extent, the females) have a wonderful blue color on their throats and bellies. When I saw this gal peek over the top of a nearby rock, I mumbled, "Raise up and show me your throat."

Well, as can be seen in the next photo, she did just that. The color isn't as gorgeous as that of a male, but it still looks nice.

And then I my wait brought me this fellow shown below. This critter slowly crawled up the side of the rock, noticed me, stopped, evidently decided I was no threat and came out in the open and posed for this image.

There is another species of lizard common to my area and someday soon, I'll do my best to get some images of them. They are known as Sagebrush Lizards. They resemble the fence lizards, but are marked in a different way making them easy to tell from the other lizards here. They are also a lot more skittish.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters from all over the world. Go to the homepage here, then join the fun and post your own critter.

Camera Critter #103

2010-03-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Spring is definitely on the way to the high desert of central Oregon...I think. I woke this morning and looked out my window and saw this.

However, last Saturday and again on Wednesday, the temperatures in the area soared to well over 60...and I was out with camera in hand.

I decided to go to the dry canyon and follow the trail until I saw something cool to image. Along the way, I saw a number of butterflies go by...but they were late for something as they didn't stop and pose...just kept going.

However, I got to the rocks, and after scanning the larger ones, noticed some movement. I smiled and rushed over and found some of my favorite subject lounging in the hot sun...lizards!

This week, I present the Common Side-blotched Lizard of the northwest.

Next week, if nothing better shows up, I'll present the other species of lizard I came across during my photo safaris.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critters is a great to see critters of all kinds. Go to the homepage here and check out more. Then, join the fun and post your own Camera Critter.

Camera Critter #102

2010-03-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

A while back, I mentioned that I knew winter had arrived in the northern reaches of the high desert by the arrival of the Dark-eyed Juncos. They spend the summers in the higher elevations and move into the lower elevations for colder weather.

But it is warming in central Oregon, and the breeding season is coming soon and with all that, the juncos will be moving back into the mountains, to once again await the next winter.

And when that happens, I'll miss the little guys and gals.

Female Dark-eyed Junco or Oregon Junco

Misty Dawn's Camera Critters Meme is a great way to see critters of all kinds. Go to the meme homepage here and check out more. Then join the fun with your own critter.

Camera Critter #101

2010-03-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Around five years ago, I traveled to the northwestern part of the lower peninsula of Michigan to visit my brother. Of course, I took my camera and throughout the four days I was there, spent a lot of time photographing the local fauna of all sizes.

The evening before I left, I was checking out his garden when I noticed a moving branch. Curiosity got the best of me and I took a closer look. To my surprise, that branch turned into a caterpillar. As I looked around, there were more and more. As I began pointing them out, he began removing them.

However, before he could eliminate all of them from the garden, I was able to get portraits of a couple of the invaders.

Carolina Sphinx Hornworm

Blinded Sphinx Caterpillar

Misty Dawn's Camera Critters Meme is a great way to see critters of all kinds. Go to the meme homepage here and check out more. Then join the fun with your own critter.

Camera Critter #100

2010-03-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

First of all...what a milestone! One hundred editions of Camera Critters and going strong. Congratulations MistyDawn...you've done a wonderful thing here.

And now, on with the 100th Camera Critter.

Last weekend was an annual event for central Oregon, called, Eagle Watch. The event is held the last weekend in February at Lake Billy Chinook, and features speakers and presentations regarding the Bald Eagle and other critters of the area. There are also numerous viewing areas overlooking the lake for visitors to view eagles. Organizers hope to schedule the event to coincide with the return of the eagles to the High Desert.

This year was a more or less bust for those who went to see Bald Eagles. It's been that way the last three years. However, when I went to my first one five years ago, there were plenty of eagles to see. I was also working with a lens I had gotten the day before and learned how to use it.

Of the 120 or so images I recorded, I was able to say some were good. The rest found the delete button. Below are two of my favorite shots from the day.

One of the more interesting things which happened that day was the arrival of a Native American Shaman. He asked if we had seen any eagles and I gladly told of the few that had made an appearance. He then said, "Make sure your camera is ready."

He went to his vehicle and pulled out a drum and after walking to the edge of viewing area we were at, began beating on the drum and singing in his Native language. It wasn't more than two minutes later, there were three Bald Eagles flying in a circle above us. The eagles came lower and lower and at one point were less than a 100 feet above us. This went on for about 15 minutes with more and more eagles showing up.

While all this was happening, I was happily shooting away. It wasn't later when I looked at my images, I realized I had a lot to learn about shooting moving objects with an image stabilized lens.

These days, I have mastered the art and can produce very nice images using stabilization of moving objects.

I just wish the eagles would show up so I can practice on them. Maybe next year. 8v)

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 critter!

Camera Critter #99

2010-02-27T03:32:00.000-08:00

When I lived in the Junipers west of town, I fed the critters. Be they bird, or deer, or even a Peacock, they knew they could always find food around my house.

One of the species of birds I enjoyed most was the Mountain Chickadee. There were at least a dozen of them who regularly visited my feed station. And if they arrived and found no food, they actually let me know it, very loudly.

The birds became so accustomed to us, that we could put bird seeds in our hand and they would eat right out of our hands.

I now live in town and although the chickadees are in the area, they don't visit my feeding station. They are great birds to watch and I miss seeing them. Hopefully, I'll see the Mountain Chickadees again at my feeders, but I doubt it will be where I currently live.

Below are images of the chickadees I have taken in the past. They definitely are cute birds.

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 critter!

Camera Critters #98

2010-02-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here on the High Desert, we don't determine the arrival spring by the arrival of Robins. Those birds come here to spend their winters.

What we do look for is the departure of the Rough-legged Hawks. The raptors come here for the winter, and return to their breeding grounds above the Arctic Circle when winter starts breaking up. Today, I had the opportunity to see if winter was on its way out and I found out it is still clinging to the area.

I came across one Rough-legged Hawk, then two, three, four and finally a fifth...which is about average for this area.

As I was leaving the area, the fifth Rough-Legged Hawk showed up, but its arrival was a nice one, as a group of Ravens decided to mob him. They eventually drove the hawk off to another area.

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 critter!

Camera Critters #97

2010-02-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Eight years ago, I lived outside of town in a comfortable home nestled back off the road in the Juniper trees. There were many things about the spot I liked and one of them was the wildlife.

Because we fed the birds (including a Peacock which arrived from who-knows-where) and put out Purina Deer Chow for the Mule Deer in the area, we had a lot of both. The fawn below was a regular visitor and had no fear of me or my mother...unless we got too close. Too close was generally six feet away.

But having the critter hang out with the big boys was always cool.

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 critter!

Camera Critters #96

2010-02-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

My landlord has had a visitor the past couple of weeks. It was her daughter-in-laws Cocker Spaniel.

Precious (that's her name) is one of the cutest dogs I have ever met...and one of the happiest. It took her a while to get used to me, but I won her over.

Meet Precious

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 critter!

Camera Critter #94

2010-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Sometime in early December, a strange visitor arrived in a canyon near here. For weeks I had been hearing about the visitor. Finally, I got the chance to go see this visitor for myself.

A couple of days ago, a friend of mine and I took off for the Dry River Canyon, located about 15 miles east of Bend, Oregon. When we arrived, we scanned the north side of the canyon walls for the visitor and saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Thinking our position didn't offer a good vantage point, we were just starting to move to another spot when the visitor appeared. Yes, there was the Rocky Mountain Goat everyone had been talking about. He wandered about the rocky outcrops and cliffs sides of the canyon wall, sometimes taking his time, at other times, moving like he was glued to the ground on every step.

At one point, he approached a small drop-off, stopped for a second, then took the plunge.

After the landing, the goat continued its trek along a thin outcrop in the rocks

As the trek continued, the goat would stop, taste the local cuisine, then move on, until it finally hit the end of the path it was on.

It stopped and looked down. Then looked to the left, the right, up, up to the left, up to the right, then back down again. It continued looking in different directions and watching him from the opposite side, we could tell there was a decision process going on in the mind of the goat. So, we watched through the viewfinder of our cameras, waiting for the goat to take the great leap.

But in the end, it turned around and traveled back the way it came.

Overall, it was a good day. The nearest populations of Rocky Mountain Goats are in the Elkhorn Mountain area, 120 miles northwest and the Strawberry Mountains, 100 miles further east. This long ranging goat will probably move on soon, but it was really great to see a critter like this in the wild, in an area easily accessible.

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 Critter #93

2010-01-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

The other day, a friend of mine stopped by and said, "Let's go shoot something." So I grabbed my camera and off we went. Since we both like photographing aircraft, our first stop was at the airport waiting for incoming and outgoing flights.

When the action died down, we decided to check a few other spots around town. At our next stop, Fireman's Pond, we got out of the car and every duck and goose in the area came running. Since they are accustomed to people feeding them, they surely thought my friend and I were going to do the same thing.

However, as the domestic goose led the pack towards me, they all stopped when I raised my camera and fired off a couple of shots. I guess the goose decided it was time to express its displeasure at me for not having any food and spread its wings, then honked rather loudly at me.

As it finished 'chewing' me out for not bringing food, it turned to the side, bared its teeth and I swear growled at me. I didn't know how much trouble I was really in until I looked at the photo of it later at home. 8v)

Those are some nasty looking teeth for a bird.

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!