Group items tagged

While deep in the Ochoco Mountains we ran across a nice flowing creek. I love running water and just had to stop!! Upon inspection of where we were it was obvious this spot had been used as a hunting camp. The legs of the elk and the "meat hangers" (we laughed for I am sure there is a real name for them ha) , that were nailed to the trees. The feathers laying around looked as if maybe a turkey was in the mix with the elk? Even a spot for a bathroom. Gave us this impression. Guy wondered further down the creek then I for things happen to catch my eye. So I was wondering around on my own taking shots of the ice that was found where the water was not running fast. As I was doing my thing I heard some racket that was obviously coming from the trees and from birds. As you can imagine wild creatures do not just sit still so one can snap off photographs, so off I went to get this loud birds photographs! There were at least 3 of these birds, however non of them were all that impressed with any of us there! From the information I gathered of this bird, these must of been truly wild Gray Jays!! Not yet ingrained with human presents. I first thought this was a nutcracker. We have many of those around so it seams. Same family as these Gray Jays, but so is the steller's jay,blue jay and the western scrub jay , the crows, the ravens there is a lot of species in the Corvidae family!! From the sub species of the Gray Jay and getting these photographs in the Ochoco mountains this determined these to be the Bicolored Gray Jay. One thing all these birds have in common is, they are very smart!! Smarter then humans give them credit for! Over the Cascade Mountains there is yet another sub species of the Gray Jay over there with different needs and habits. That Gray Jay does not like snow, the ones here better like snow! Like all birds of the Corvidae family, they are pretty much scavengers, however it appears all the species of the Gray Jay have different food s

Sparrow Birds Working For Their Meal . I admit, it is ridiculous the money we spend on the wildlife here. The gardens and such to attract the wildlife so I can photograph them. I justify this expense as entertainment, for really Guy and I can sit for hours just talking and watching all the wildlife we work so hard to attract to our place. We stopped in at the Madras Livestock Auction where they opened up a feed store. We need bird seed in big time bulk. The sparrows are the main birds we feed here, but without the sparrows the other birds would not be attracted. As soon as we walked into the feed store we saw this seedblock. We thought this would slow down the birds a little, making them work for their meal. It has, and offered me a great photography opportunity! We are more than happy to try out such products if, and I mean if, it is cost affective!

I am very pleased to get these shots of this Northern Harrier. I got these a couple hours ago down the road where we have seen this bird and another or so in a pasture. These birds have been seen on private land and I do not trespass so when this opportunity arose today, while this Northern Harrier was not on the private land I took it! While doing my research on this bird I came to realize why this bird of prey had a problem being still for me. Blending in is what I try to do with the environment, but being quiet is another story. This bird realize on hearing as much as sight when hunting. This bird was hearing me coming! The male and female of the species look very different I found out as well. This Harrier is the male of the species. I thought this Northern Harrier was on some prey, however after looking over the photographs it appears to be on some grasses.

Bird Of Prey Finishing A Meal. Found this bird finishing up what looked like a rodent. Soon after this the bird flue off. Several of these (some kind of hawk), were in this area. Talking very loudly to each other.

An island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds or almost entirely. In this paradise, Red, a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck, and...

For a couple days now this little girl has been showing up. When I first saw her I thought what a funny looking bird. Now that I have watched her for two days now, I feel rather sorry for her. It is our fault these birds are being altered like this, or this is the way I see it. Chemicals are more likely to blame.

When I seen this Yellow Head Black Bird I was amazed with the color! I did not know there was such a bird here in Oregon.

We have several of these herons around this part of central Oregon. I would of thought they would leave when the snow started falling, but this bird proved me wrong! It was foggy, it was cold and it was snowing Sunday! But here this bird was!

Meet the Varied Thrush birds of the Pacific Northwest. The Varied Thrush have been showing up along with other wintering birds for a couple years now!

I caught this bird flying here in Central Oregon

Bird Of Prey In All Its Glory. Saturday was a good day for seeing birds.

Eagle In Waiting For A Meal. I believe this to be a young golden eagle. We came across many birds of prey on our outing Saturday. The electrical pole gives a good reference of how big this bird is. At this time of the year we have many youngsters out and about.

Bird Of Prey Perched In A Tree. This is one of the pair that was up in this tree.

Birds On Horseback. Now could I pass this shot up??

It Is Just To Hot! Who says wildlife does not speak our language? Many birds of prey were caught with their wings up to cool themselves off Saturday. I caught one bird panting even! Oh this one knows I am there.

Red Winged Black Bird Stopped By. Actually our place has been a hot spot lately with the sunflower seeds ripe and the pond to drink from. The small apples are even ripe for the picking.

It Is Just To Hot! Who says wildlife does not speak our language? Many birds of prey were caught with their wings up to cool themselves. I caught one bird panting even! Oh this one knows I am there.

These double crested cormorant are rather common here in our canyon. Here we have one taking off on this very cold, cloudy Saturday. I wanted to show the trail this bird left as it takes off. I was on one of the bridges as this bird was taking off in flight. The photo at the end is a cormorant I caught flying low where the bald eagles were fishing.

Just a few hours ago Guy took me around the block. Oh probably ten miles or so?? It was nice to get out of the house! I do not know about other places, but here this species of falcon are not real..... they take off as soon as attention is directed at them. In other words I have tried to get some shots of the sparrow hawk and finally I did. This American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America. Used in falconry so they must be pretty smart! I think they are pretty little birds! Eating grasshoppers, other small birds, and rodents so they are good to have around. Oh I believe they eat the lizards we have here too. It looks like we are in for more bad weather here in central oregon but the wildlife need to eat and I was happy we seen what we did on our short drive.

We stopped off at a spot and I noticed these bright blue birds darting here and there. Quick little things!! They seam to be very acquisitive as to what we were doing too! I read where these birds survive our cold, however yesterday it got up to 68 degrees!!