Camera Critters #238

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

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

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



It was an interesting day.

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Camera Critters #237

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

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

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

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



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

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Camera Critters #236

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

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

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



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Camera Critters #235

It's deer season in Oregon.

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





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Camera Critters #233

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

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



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Camera Critters #233

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore;

    For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

  Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber

    Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber 


door,



        With such name as "Nevermore."




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 #232

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

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



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.