As I was sitting in my spot watching the birds,butterflies,bees just enjoying the nice weather we have here in the high desert of Oregon I looked over to one of our ponds and seen the swimming young frogs wanting their piece of bread.

Well, I can not just feed them one day and not the other right? I admit I am against feeding the bigger wildlife, however these smaller wildlife do not have much of a life span and are not typically hunted.

So I headed in and got them their bread breaking it up into chucks to get water logged which is the only way they can consume such a thing. Went on with the other thing I found to do, which was photographing a spotted new species of frog who showed up.

Not to stress out my little visitor I left the spotted frog to go back to my chair. Folks I am sure understand that photographing wildlife can be a thankless thing with a lot of waiting around, and waiting and waiting!

As I wait, I observe the activity around me. There is so much activity! I looked over to see how the swimming young frogs were doing with their bread. Geesh, quite a bit of it was gone!! They never ate their bread this fast before! Something was up!! So I give a dirty look at the dogs, thinking one of them got into the pond and ate the little pieces of bread even though the dogs have never did this before!?

So I wait.

Soon a pair of Brewer's Blackbirds showed up!

As a bird as smart as these blackbirds are, this Brewer's Blackbird being no different, the female walked out into the pond grabbed a piece of bread from the swimming frogs and devoured it. Oh you little stinker!!

That was not the end of the show! Oh no end of the show yet!

The male Brewer's Blackbird jumped onto a rock we have in this pond for the birds. He grabs a large piece of the bread and eats it right in front of his female! The female was not impressed! She ran in grabbed a small piece of the bread and flew near the other pond!

The male was hot on her tail with his remaining piece of bread in his beak!

I swear you could actually see the wheels turning in the females brain!! How do I get that bread from him?? She walks over to the edge of the water of this other pond. Walks in the water and pretends to eat something?

Well, this was just to much for the male to bare, not knowing what she was eating and all. So watching her, he moves towards her. Mind you he still has a good junk of bread left himself, but greed is getting the best of him!

He moves closer to her to see what she is eating.... she sees her opratunity and takes it! She flies to his bread, grabs it in her beak and off she flies! Whipping those wings near me, with the male hot on her tail and screaming at her!!

I just laughed!!

This is the tale of the bread thief. Hope you enjoyed it I sure did as it was happening haha!

Never photographing these before. I was quite happy to find these high up in the Ochoco Mountains of Oregon.

We found a area of wildflowers blooming and stopping to photograph all the wildflowers in that spot, then thought we should head up to the higher elevation and did so on a narrow dirt road until we came to melting snow. This is where these were blooming along with some other wildflowers. Noticing a lot of elk and it looked like the horses use the area as a resting place. Wild horses in the Ochoco Mountains is a common thing.

Such impressive flowers!

These are said to ONLY be wild here in Oregon. Other shooting stars have 4 peddles, while as you can see these have 5 peddles. How many of us even think about counting peddles on such closely related flowers as these with the other 13 species? I know I did not think of this until researching this flower!

Guy recalls hearing these being called cowslip, however this is a new species to me! I do not recall photographing this species of flower before and if I have not photographed the species of flower I am not going to remember the flower.

I thought it good to pull back on my lens and get the vegetation , leaves. Researching this species I found out it takes them several years to bloom.

Along with this color of purple/blue which were so much more abundant, I found a few white flowers blooming. The ratio of white to this other color was very noticeable!

Thank you for coming by and a huge thank you to Chris Gudger on facebook for answering my call for help on identification of this flower!!

This Warbler stopped in to check out what was here to eat and to get a drink.

He did notice that someone was watching him, and the click of the camera usually gets my subjects attention. They are not sure what that clicking is !

Up in the tree looking down on me

Checking out the pond

All the birds tend to like the raspberry stalks to hide in! The wild climbing roses seam to be a hit around here as well to hide in.

Why these little men are called Yellow-Rumped Warbler.

Thank you for stopping by my photography! I have more photographs of this species and getting more uploaded and taken when they stop by. You can find the rest of the photographs of this little man here

One of these swallowtail butterflies took flight while I was out in our zinnia flowers photographing all the activity.

This is a young White-Crowned Sparrow.

This species of sparrow winter here in our part of the high desert with us. The feathers on the head will soon turn white then this young one  will look like the adult.

In the cold winters I have been known to throw out such things as ham bones to the birds to eat, summer time this practice just is not practical - sniff sniff stink haha. The dogs do not process such things well thus, the birds. Other critters do not appear to like to get so close to the dogs fence. So no worries so far.

One thing that did surprise me is when I watched the bug eating birds eating on the ham bone yesterday! Sure the woodpeckers and those kind of birds I expect to see, but not these little guys!

Perhaps the birds eat such things in summer time as well? I just do not see this behavior here at home?

The Black-headed Grosbeak is the monarch butterflies worst enemy!

These are a species of birds who can safely eat the poisonous monarch butterfly.

And is happy to do it!

Here in Central Oregon , our backyard this one did not stick around long.

Came to raid the bird feeder of the morsels he felt was desirable and left. He might be back, he might not be??

Only he can decide this one! We will keep the feeder full of seed just in case he does return! The raspberries will be baring fruit soon enough!

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 scavenger habits I guess is the way to say it?

I thought it interesting when I read they can remember where they stored food under as much as 3' of snow! Shoot that would be hard for most humans to remember! I also read where this Gray Jay will also make their nest on the south western part of a tree for the solar warmth. Is that cool or what?? We can learn a thing or two from nature hu?

Like several other species of bird a slang name for these is camp robbers too. I have a problem with people feeding wildlife in this manor. One thing is, if one is camping that person is not at home. I read where a female Gray Jay (maybe other kinds of camp robbers as well?), will actually leave her nest and leave the brood unprotected to go and get food from humans.

I wonder how these so called wildlife "lovers", would feel if they new they were the cause of a brood being killed just because they thought it cute or whatever that a so called wild bird is landing on them etc.. for food? Makes one wonder hu??

These Gray Jays did not want anything to do with me, or Guy or the dogs. So from what I read these individual birds were not "trained", or learned this behavior of humans being a food source. So frankly, if any one of these birds tried landing or whatever on me they would have the dogs to content with, if of course I  did not call them off or Guy get a hold of them before they got to the bird. This makes me wonder if this too would be the fault of the campers, hikers etc.. who trained such a bird to think humans were a food source?

Any way you think of this, there are birds at home you can feed from the bird feeder. No need to feed wildlife while hiking and camping. You are not doing the wildlife any favors and in fact maybe the one to cause the death of such a creature.

I did notice this one I have most of the photographs of was keeping a good eye on me. Screaming as well. Hopping from limb to limb which made photographs entertaining! I like a good challenge!!

In one of the flying photographs you can see some tree in its beak, the bird dropped this. Seeing the trees which grow in the Ochoco Mountains are a major food source. As well as small rodents, parts of fresh kills of bigger game, insects and it sounds like a typical scavenger with a very good memory of where it hides its food for the winter months!

Reading of the family dynamics of this Gray Jay was quite interesting as well! Having one of the young stay to help out, while the others are ran off. I read where t his one that stays is usually a male. Sound familiar within human history??

I tried to get a flying shot of the back of one of the birds feathers, however I take what I can get! The front shot the bird was trying to land on a branch that was not going to hold his weight.

Thank you like always for coming by!!

   

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Up in the apple tree, as snow is on the ground here in the high desert of Oregon, we see this.

These are the flowers to the succulent known as Hen and Chicks.

When this plant reaches maturity, these flowers are what is produced. It is said the plant then dies however these plants do not seam to have died!

There is two different flowers here, on several plants.

I was outside when I had one of our senior neighbors got my attention. She so dearly wanted photographs of her very old old Hen and Chicks plant estimating this plants age of course with some thinking (I think she said 30+ years old).

Now really, how could I say no??

When it comes to what we have here in my part of central Oregon to photograph, it is always endless. Keep your eyes open if you ever come here to visit !

As morning was breaking high up in the Ochoco Mountains we came across this herd of Antelope.

Of course I always look for the buck. Not just because of being charged at rutting time, but it is just good sense too.

I try and center him in a photo when I find him. He has the all black face with the large black horns.

I do get a kick out of seeing the herds for the young can then be seen. The young look just like their parents, just small is all!!

This herd was a pretty big one to our standards. 80 to a 100 head. Dont believe it went over 100 head. Guy tried counting as I was out doing my thing.

As you can see many of them are curious as to what was going on! My camera is supposed to be noisy, however I have not had problems with my Canon and the noise and hindering what I do. Actually, it is the opposite!! The dogs are loud. Therefor the camera gets the wildlifes attention off the dogs and to me. You can see by some of the photographs that some of the antelope are looking in the direction of the dogs, while others are looking at me. I like them looking at me, and my camera!

The buck did not want anything to do with me or the dogs! Two of the shots he is with his head down grazing with one of his many females. Almost as if he was hiding those horns of his, since really he is the one folks want to shoot at. If he hides his face, then we do not know he is a male right??

I get a kick out of the wildlife, well critters in general. If they can not see us, we must not see them right? HAHA

Soon the herd had enough of my antics and started running off. They are quick, even the young are quick! Soon, they were out of range, leaping over sage brush , running through the prairie of the Ochoco Mountains.

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When the visitors all go home, everything goes quiet. What once was full of people, is now empty.

A quiet calmness takes over.

This is the time of the year when trees start to change color.

The mushrooms start to grow.

Several Rabbits feel secure enough to come and have breakfast!

The Roads are empty and quiet,

The playground no longer have children laughing and playing.

The boys get to roam with us while I take photographs.

This is usually where dogs get to roam, which is of course empty,

The park is closed for the season. I went ahead and signed up to help the State of Oregon photograph such things as the parks. We learned several things, and had quite a time in The Deschutes Campground as well as the Group Campground that were closed. Some other places, however they were not closed just yet.

One thing we were sure to see is the Mule Deer. Are area is thick with them and when the visitors go home, the wildlife and nature take over the parks.

What I got a thrill out of is the views!

From the closed Group Camp AT The Cove Palisades State Park I captured the Petroglyph Rocks from the view I usually do not get,

I would have never gotten these photographs if I did not sign up with the state to enter the closed parks! Sure there is some minor work to do, but well with it in my eyes!

This is the flyer the State of Oregon has released for help with this project photographing the state parks. If you too are in Oregon and would like to help out, get in touch!

These birds were funny for as soon as they seen me paying attention to them they took of flying!

We were not sure what these birds were and had to do some research.

These were on the Crooked River here in Central Oregon. Nearest town was Post Oregon.

As we were following the Crooked River here in Central Oregon when we ran across this pair of swans.

For some people seeing swans is nothing more than walking to your nearest park, but for us we do not have such things.

We see them in the wild or nothing at all. I think the nearest park for swans would be in Bend Oregon? Bend is a drive for us!

In one of the photographs the one swan is telling off the ducks and geese that the swans were getting to close too.

They were all alone and fairly close to where I was until they seen me, than they swam away rather quickly.

I pulled my lens back and caught a photograph of the whole show of ducks, geese and the swans in one shot.

This part of the Crooked River must be part of a cattle ranch (?), for in places there are fences and such that are placed in the river itself to keep the livestock in.

Oh and the nearest town is Post Oregon.

This Boisduval's Blue Butterfly (Fenders), is yet another one of our endangered species here in Oregon.

These butterflies rely on the wild Lupine flower to survive. Wild Lupine which is disappearing.

The two butterflies featured here were shot in two different parts of Central Oregon. One spot was the Ochoco Mountains, the other spot was Mt. Jefferson Wilderness area. Now the Ochoco Mountain spot was a short hike in, while the Mt Jefferson Location was a lot more of a hike and the trail had not been traveled much by people.  

These shots of mine look as if both males, they stand out because of their pretty blue color. Both were found around water. 

The Oregon State Web site lists these Boisduval's Blue Butterfly as Fender's blue butterfly. How confusing is this?? Note, I am not a scientist, schooled etc. I just photograph wildlife and nature. I just capture with my camera what I see, and research all this on the computer. Advice is for you to do your own research.

To my understanding many of the species of these small blue butterflies are becoming rare here in my state of Oregon. The photographs I take are not manipulated by any software, what you see is what came off my camera, this is just my style of photography. A nice video example is here .

These photographs are true examples of what these butterflies look like. I am hoping folks get to know these butterflies so when you see them, you will know what they are and to take the up most care around them. They need to be left alone, not put in a jar, or touched for butterflies do not do well when we play with their wings ect..

My Karner Blue butterfly post can be found here . I am comfortable saying with over 11,000 views this Karner Blue post has been my more popular one to date.

I have many posts of photographs I have captured that I just have not gotten around to post yet. Time permitting I will get more written.

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One thing to be assured of here in Oregon is, never know what you are going to see here!

I noticed this blue butterfly fluttering around, then oh my I noticed a whole lot more! I paid attention for these photographs to just one.

The site of so much blue was quite pretty. Sure the wild Lupine flowers are blue, but these were flying!!

So, what is a person who is armed with their trusty camera to do? Take photographs of course!

Update at the bottom of the post.

Since 1992 the Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis, the Melissa blue for short), has been listed as a endangered species. Why? Because the larvae and/or caterpillars only feed on the wild lupine. I even read where they will not venture more then 600 feet from their hatching spot! The adults will feed on other things, but their offspring cant.

Here in Central Oregon we have a lot of wild lupine!! We even grow the wild and the subspecies in our garden here at home.

With the wild Lupine disappearing in many areas, sorry to say so is the Karner Blue Butterfly. I found absolutely no information on the web about how these species is doing here in Oregon. Though I had read where scientists are breeding them and releasing them into the wild to reestablish themselves.

In this spot where we found MANY of these (well many, we are talking 20+ Karner Blue Butterflies). The hatching spot must be close by and this is one of the times of the year that they hatch. having two hatching's a year.

It is safe to say, at least in our part of Oregon the Karner Blue Butterfly has started breeding in the wild just fine. Or lets just hope this is not a rare sighting and will be seeing more and more of these butterflies in years to come!!

I did find several videos on youtube and here is a link to one on youtube.

The hardest part to doing these posts are limiting the photographs posted. We may go back to this spot in the national grassland this weekend, who knows?

Update;

Congratulations! Your submission to Living Beyond Pain entitled “Karner Blue Butterfly” has been selected to be part of the Living Beyond Pain Gallery Exhibit being featured at PAINWeek 2011, being held September 7 – 10, 2011, at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. PAINWeek is the nation’s largest conference on pain for frontline healthcare practitioners, and you may learn more about the conference by visiting www.painweek.org. - This is a huge honor and I am grateful to Living Beyond Pain , Coralie

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I like watching the squirrels and the chipmunks.

This pair of Siskiyou Chipmunks was seen on our National Grasslands and we really do not see to many there.  We have the Golden-Mantled Ground squirrel who looks similar, but does not have the stripes into the face.

These are very loud little things and if they were not so loud I may not have even seen them on this log! Here in Central Oregon we have a way of having MANY rodents who cause damage to the land, however these Siskiyou Chipmunks live in trees and the like.

There is a couple here, the one on the left is just chatting up a storm! The one on the right, well that one seams to be listening but soon leaves. The chatty one you can see it wondering why it is by itself.

August 31, 2011 at  9:31 AM

When I seen this butterfly right after it emerged from it's cocoon I was quite thrilled.

This is when a butterfly is most colorful.

This is a Green-Veined White Pieris Napi Butterfly. I read where it is not truly green, but because of the yellow and black color on a white back ground, the colors omit a green color. Hence their name.

I read too where the adult males gives off a odor that resembles lemon verbena.

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We love to go into the Ochoco Mountains. This day was no different!

We took this "side" road, well road is used rather lightly in some parts of Oregon where we go. The road was getting smaller and smaller!

Guy decided the road was just to small for our truck, so Guy turned around the truck on this narrow deer trail that is said to be a road!

While heading back we came upon a meadow where, of course I just had to get out!!

Unknowing to us, two bucks were also thinking the meadow was a nice spot to stop at!

  First the bucks took off running!

Then they both stopped! Looked back at me. Just as curious of me as I was of them and getting their photograph!

Then in a instant they were off running again!

You can see the one has had a brush with a bullet to his face. These bucks at this time were still in velvet. This all happened in July of 2010. Just now getting around to sharing the happening and photographs with you all!

August 28, 2011 at  9:26 AM