Back Yard Birds!

When we arrived back home and resumed our routine and yard work, we were amazed at the variety of bird species that are attracted to our feeders!  With a cup of tea, Sibley's bird book and our camera by my side, I took a break and recorded the activity!



A handsome Evening Grosbeak at the buffet table



American Goldfinch refueling

Female Anna's Hummingbird

Female Red Crossbill



American Goldfinch on the Lookout!

 

Headed to the Coast

We made a quick stop at South Twin Lake, hoping to find some breakfast and revisit a favorite camp ground that holds a lot of special memories.  The resort restaurant was closed, so after a quick walk down to the shoreline, we departed with growling tummies......

South Twin Lake

 

South Twin Campground Entrance

From South Twin, we headed to the highway and traveled west to Eugene and Florence.  There was a lot of evidence of past forest fires along the way.

                                                                               

                                                                                 The scenery along our route was diverse and very pretty......                                                                                   
    

The coastal forests have an entirely different appearance than those of Central Oregon

After maneuvering through the Eugene area, we headed to Florence where we spend the night listening to the chilly coastal rain and dreaming of our cozy home.  We decided that  travels around Oregon probably was best postponed until summer, and headed "back to the barn". 

Our trip was enjoyable and allowed us to work through some of the details of camper traveling.  We look forward to hitting the road in June...back to South Dakota for July 4th celebration with Joe, Kristin, Jocelyn and the Aberdeen family.  Our route will take us up to Canada and across into BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan and then down into the Dakotas

RETREAT through Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge!

With night time temperatures predicted to drop into the twenties at Page Springs campground last Sunday night, we made an executive decision to travel west toward the coast Sunday, through the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge. 

The above photos taken as we drove west across the grasslands, into the refuge

The refuge area is made of fault-block mountains, created by the upward movement of the earth's plates as they ground together many years ago.

Fault Block Mountains pushed up by tectonic pressure created by movement of the Earth's plates.

 

This is wild country!  Such country has invited some wild folks who let loose with some wild behavior from time to time.  One  such group - "The Order of the Antelope", gathers within the refuge annually to celebrate enthusiastically, the continued presence of the prong horned antelope and the "brotherhood's" accomplishments over the years to protect the antelope and preserve their presence. 
We understand that such celebration is rich with ritual and ceremonial antics, which has resulted in this band's enforced confinement to just  a small area of the refuge.  It seems that they were having a little TOO much fun!     

 We stopped in to take a peek at a primitive campground complete with a hot springs pool. 
Sadly, we forgot our bathing suits!  :-(  :-(    NEXT visit, we'll come prepared!

 Possibly a cinder cone from past volcanic activity....

 Mesas show further evidence of geologic activity and erosion (note the slopes of the mesa).

Our travels ended for the day in a full service camp ground near La Pine, just south of Bend.
We opted for the comforts of a little heat, electricity and WiFi!

The Diamond Loop National Back Country Byway

Our third day in Malheur found us on the Diamond Loop National Back Country Byway, "a patchwork of high desert terrains and 'Old West' attractions, such as the Peter French Round Barn (circa 1880).  The unusual barn was designed for training and conditioning ranch horses during the harsh winter months.  It has an umbrella-type central truss which supports a roof that is 100 feet in diameter.  Inside, there is a 60-foot round stone corral surrounded by a 20 foot wide outer circle paddock.  The Jenkins family deeded the barn and the land it stands on to the state of Oregon.

Couldn't fit the entire barn into one photo, but hopefully, you get the idea!

This is one imposing structure, designed to withstand the tough winter weather!

Frisky horses were kept secure within the sturdy, central confines of the barn interior.

 

Central truss which supports the barn roof, nicely inhabited and decorated by, we think. a raven couple.  They seemed a little put out with our intrusive visit, and told us so!

 

Another view of the central truss.

This is the view from the interior of the barn, looking out onto the grasslands and surrounding mountains.  Glorious country!

The ranch horses would be trained and kept fit by exercising around the outer paddock during the winter.  They got a taste of fresh air, but were kept confined, even when they were being exercised.....

Page Springs Neighbors

We were told to be on the lookout for a couple of Great Horned Owls at the Page Springs Campground - - perched up on the rim rock above the campsites. We lucked out and got the campsite right below where the owls were quietly spending the daylight hours in anticipation of their evening hunt.  Sure enough, at dusk they took flight in search of prey.  An audience of about a dozen birders were thrilled to witness the start of the nightly hunting routine.

 

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Friday Highlights



We arrived at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge with high hopes of seeing countless birds migrating through, only to find that the major migration had happened about a month earlier.  :- (

While the numbers were fewer than expected, we were not disappointed!  

American White Pelican

Western Grebes Flirting

 

One of our first stops was at the refuge headquarters, where we received current information about critter activity in the refuge.  We got a close-up glimpse of a number of birds gathered around the feeders.

            Greeter at the Refuge Headquarters

                         Belding Ground Squirrel

                                    

Sandhill Cranes

Blackbirds are abundant at Malheur.  These two were competing for table space at the refuge feeders.

Yellow Headed Blackbird

Red Winged Blackbird

               White-faced Ibis

 Mule Deer browsing near camp.

In Search of the Birds

With our departure checklist FINALLY complete, we kissed Millie the Princess Cat good bye, let out a BIG WHOOP-dee -DO and set forth on our long anticipated road trip. 
Ah!  We now understand the bliss a pooch must feel with her head hanging out the side window of her master's speeding truck and the wind blowing her ears back like flags. Her olfactory senses joyfully soaking up every scent.
Over the mountains and through the woods we went, in search of Central Oregon sunshine.  However, the ominous Willamette Valley clouds followed us East to the high desert beyond Bend and tonight, we find ourselves in a steady downpour in Burns.  
It still feels good to get away from the routine and to enjoy roaming around Oregon!