Archive for the ‘great horned owl’ Category

More birds at Camas Refuge

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Walking on a path near the visitor center at Camas National Wildlife Refuge saw two very large nests on the ground. As I looked closer, saw there was a young great horned owl in one of them. It didn’t seem to pay any attention to me, but on walking back by, saw that it had flown to a nearby tree. Online it says they fledge from the nest while still downy around the head and without noticeable ear tufts. Surprised they nest on the ground. There have to be coyotes in the area.

Lewis’s woodpecker. Don’t believe I’ve seen one before.

Ruddy duck

Juvenile northern harrier. Saw it harassing a lone Canada goose on the dirt road.

Came across two barn swallows nesting in an unused mailbox. It is in a hunting area on the refuge, so it’s probably used during hunting season.

Birds seen but not pictured: western tanager, a flock of cedar waxwings, juvenile meadowlarks, yellow warbler, marsh wrens.

Posted in Dubois, great horned owl, grebe, Hamer, Northern harrier, Roberts, swallow, wildlife refuge, woodpecker | Comments Off

Columbia River, Oregon side

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Drove along I-84, along the Columbia River on the Oregon side. Rain was forecast for Portland, so I bypassed the wooded areas for the more arid areas near The Dalles. It was striking how quickly the temperature changed. Had to be 10 degrees warmer. You can look on Google maps to see how fast the woods turn into a more barren environment. Stayed at a state park along the Deschutes River as it meets the Columbia River, a short distance from The Dalles. It is a fisherman’s haven where fishing and beer rule. It gets very hot here in the summer, 105 degrees is not unusual, but in the fall it is quite nice.

In taking a walk along the Deschutes River, heard some crows making a ruckus and looked up to see a great horned owl. Even with the crow in its face and me below it, it was able to sleep and showed no inclination to move. Always excited when I get a picture of a bird I’ve never seen before.

You can keep your boat right by your campsite. The parched hills in the background remind me of hills you see in California.

View of The Dalles on an overcast day. Some things it is known for:

  • The Dalles dam. Surprised to read that it supplies Los Angeles with electricity. Hope the people in The Dalles get a discount on power so they can run their air conditioners during the hot weather they get.
  • A Googleplex. Google got tax benefits for building a huge data center here in 2006.

Posted in great horned owl, State, The Dalles | Comments Off