Wood-nymph Butterfly | Mrsroadrunner Photography

Wood-nymph Butterfly | Mrsroadrunner Photography



Meet the Wood-nymph Butterfly! See the Butterflies eye spots?





This Wood-nymph Butterfly is feeding on these wildflowers. As you look through this series of photographs, watch this Wood-nymph Butterflies face. You can clearly see this Wood-nymph Butterfly feeding!





The Wood-nymph Butterfly comes in several sizes and the colors can be different as well. This species is found here in Oregon. To be more pacific of where I photographed this Wood-nymph Butterfly I photographed this one in the Ochoco Mountains of Oregon.





You will here me talk a lot of the Ochoco Mountains for we like the Ochoco Mountains a great deal! If you are looking for the big animals deer, elk even Wild Horses that kind of thing, the Ochoco Mountains has those more so then my observations of the Cascade Mountains. The Cascade Mountains it has been our experience of more people then the Ochoco Mountains has, but for hunting season. Hunting season is a crazy time of the year. The Cascade Mountains has the tourists, the Ochoco Mountains has the hunters. That might be easier to explain the two mountain ranges?

We like the quietness and the abundance of all kinds of Wildlife in the Ochoco Mountains! I am not a big snow person, as you can find year round in the Cascade Mountains. Cascades are also found in the Ochoco Mountains, not like the Cascade Mountains of course, many more Cascades in the Cascade Mountains!

Depends what you are looking for, wanting? The Ochoco Mountains in Spring and Summer is a Butterfly persons wonderland!





It is getting to be that time of the year where it is time to head back into the Ochoco Mountains! The wildflowers should be about to bloom if they have not started? Our Lupine and other native species are about to bloom at any time here at home. We live in between the Cascade Mountains to the west of us, and the Ochoco Mountains to the east of us. Which direction do we want to go ?





I left this Wood-nymph Butterfly feeding on these Wildflowers. There is no need to spend to much time with one species of Butterfly for there is so many more to photograph! Most times the Butterflies cooperate with me and my camera. Other times I would love to be a fly on the wall watching haha!

Thank you for coming by and checking out my Wood-nymph Butterfly Photographs!

Blue Ridge Mine Oregon | Mrsroadrunner Photography

Blue Ridge Mine Oregon | Mrsroadrunner Photography




This is the Blue Ridge Mine in the Ochoco Mountains here in Oregon! We typically drive by these mines (there is quite a few in Oregon), however this day we thought we should stop and see what has changed since the last time we stopped by.






Nothing to much changed since the last time we had stopped. The weather in the Ochoco Mountains is taking it's toll as well as folks doing what people do when these kinds of folks have no one watching them.






If you have your dog/s with you as we do, make sure you give your dog/s a good drink from the fresh water you packed for your dog/s! The contaminated water supply is no good for your dog/s and hate for you to find out what the water supply around some of these mines can do to your dog/s as we did!! Don't allow your dog/s to play in, drink have much to do with the water that is found around these mines.....






This is just one of the Mines that can be found in the Ochoco Mountains! No longer used, no workers are around all that you will find is history. Or the left overs of what once was.....

Again if you have dog/s with you be careful of the nails, and other debris that can be found around such structures. These places are not maintained, if there is a sign there is a reason for that sign.






It seams as if every time we do choose to stop at the Blue Ridge Mine something has changed! Oh doors are off their hinges or something has been torn off. Garbage laying around. Pack it in, pack it out.....






As I am writing this I recall passing the Blue Ridge Mine many times! We just don't choose to stop all the times we are up here in the area.






The dogs are the main reason we choose not to stop every time we pass the Blue Ridge Mine or the other mines. One of our Mastiffs really likes water and was hospitalized after a jont to several of the Mines. We would rather not have this happen again.

If you are in the area just to go to the Mines without dog/s, well..... You will not be disappointed! We are not in the Mountains for the Mines, this is a secondary for us. Wildlife photography is why we are here in the Ochoco Mountains..... I just happen to like history, and Guy worked up here in the area so he knows a lot of the stories of such things as the Blue Ridge Mine that has been passed around from generation to generation. I believe I wrote this in my last post? I will look and revise this. That post might now be in my archive, when I used to post to a place that is now shut down..... Put this on my list of things to check on.






This is the main building. This is the building I seam to notice changes on the most when we do stop, or just driving by since we drive by this the most. Such as that ladder there. That ladder does not belong there. Someone had torn that ladder off I believe the back of the building where it was left many years ago. I took photographs oh, five plus years ago when this was not like this. The bullet holes seam to be new to me as well.....

This building tends to get the most attention for this is seen from the road. You come around the corner and BOOM, there it is! Again a interesting place if you have never been! Keep in mind if people are driving the road.... stay out of the road! This is common sense and many folks have been by here so much that they do not expect people or your pets to be in the road....

I do not do the driving, so to get directions to visit check the internet. Guy is the driver of this team and he knows these roads, I would get us lost if I was the driver hahahaha Please pack enough water for you and if you bring your dog/s! It can get hot up here in the Ochoco Mountains!! Make sure you have extra tires, and enough gas! If you don't know the area bring a map!! You wont find a gas station, a store nothing for quite a ways away! We have seen more visitors get a flat tire, and getting lost. I have no clue if internet is around in this area? OMG during hunting season be a little more careful! If you run into fire wood folks, sheep herders, cowboys moving cattle or other folks working in the area, give them the road..... Again pack it in pack it out.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my photographs!

Fenders Blue Butterfly In Its Natural Environment | Mrsroadrunner Photography

Fenders Blue Butterfly In Its Natural Environment | Mrsroadrunner Photography




Meet the tiny Fenders Blue Butterfly!





This is one of our visits to the Ochoco Mountains. I look for water, and typically a prairie like area for the butterflies. Since everything needs a drink, and Butterflies do not drink as we do, they need mud! So this is what I look for. Typically I am not disappointed! As the photograph above shows, this Fenders Blue Butterfly is getting a drink.





This photograph above shows a little more detail of the Fenders Blue Butterfly drinking. This strategy of mine usually does not fail me. This day many butterflies were at this spot up in the Ochoco Mountains!





Since these butterflies are horribly tiny for what we consider a size for a butterfly, I have to get right in there with my camera. Guy keeps the dogs with him, and away from where I am! The running water is not far away and this area is full of Deer and other critters the dogs noses find desirable to pay attention to. Folks wonder how I get ticks on me, well......

The biggest population of these Butterflies is said to be over the mountain west of Salem Oregon. I found this interesting. I personally would have no idea if I were in some ones backyard if I were over there looking for butterflies...... I wish them the best over the mountain to keep areas free from progress!

Lupine is again the hero of these Butterflies. Lupine is very common flower plant over here! The wild lupine grows in many places, and different kinds of Lupine! However the Kincaid's lupine was on the endangered plant list itself!! Might still be?? If the Fenders Blue ONLY feeds on this Kincaid's lupine, then the Kincaid's lupine must be growing over here as well?

Since I also take photographs of the wildflowers, it might be time to look for Lupine Photographs in my archive. Though to be honest.... Lupine is so common over here.... I may not even take photographs of it anymore? I will have to keep this in mind when out and about. Doing my research I have seen photographs of the Fender's Blue Butterflies on the Lupine that we (Guy and I), consider common Lupine......we see Lupine everywhere!





The Fenders Blue Butterfly is one of the Butterflies that are on the endangered list. Recovery plans are in effect and it makes me wonder if in our mountains are the places that these recovery plans are in action?? Is this why I am finding and photographing such species as the Fenders Blue?? Without going into my archive, I believe another spot I photographed these Fenders Blue Butterflies was in the Mount Jefferson wilderness area, part of the Cascade Mountain range.

East of the Cascade Mountains is not like the west. We do not have the population of people like they do. This means we have wide open places for such things to thrive. We have acres of public lands, large privately owned ranches and farms over here. Unlike west of the Cascade Mountains we have the areas that many creature need to survive. If a person is willing to take their time, gas money, reliable vehicle,packed lunch and water etc. to head out into these areas to photograph in such places, it can be rewarding.





The vegetation these Fenders Blue Butterflies are on is notable! The Fenders Blue Butterflies were not feeding. Keep in mind there were more then just the ones I photographed! I pay attention to the individual Butterflies and what they are doing. This area is for getting drinks.

Keep in mind, these are my photographs, my observations, my time, money spent and the research I have done. I reserve the right to be wrong, to learn and my contact information is out there if you have information that could be useful to me! I do pass on information to others......There are more photographs to this series.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my photography!

South Fork Crooked River Oregon | Mrsroadrunner Photography

South Fork Crooked River Oregon | Mrsroadrunner Photography




This is the South Fork of the Crooked River in the Ochoco Mountains here in Oregon!





The Crooked River is a tributary of the Deschutes River and is 125 miles long. "Crooked", is a good word for this river too haha! The Crooked River winds it's way here and there!

We spend a lot of time around the Crooked River! Many creatures have to have water! Depending what you are looking for, depends where you want to go! I look for meadows, I look for places with standing water for my Butterfly and other insect photography.

Cottonwood groves will produce Owls and other birds. So will the Cattails. Wooded areas are quite popular with all kinds of wildlife! Along with the wooded areas, Mushrooms are found to photograph! Sometimes you can run into watersheds. Watersheds are fenced off so the horses, cattle can not get in there and tear up these water sources. I admit we do not spend time at the watersheds. No real reason, just do not see to much movement.







Some areas you will find fly fisher people. Crawfish are found in some places. Campers are found along with their horses at time as well. These things are typically all found within the same places and we do not bother with these places typically. Why bother? Wildlife just does not care for such human activity.





We go to the more quiet places. The places where people are not! Sure we do stop into some of the camping places to read the boards. This is where important information is at, such as cougars in the area etc..





Most people do not see anything, those who are looking for the big that is. Which there is Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope (Pronghorns for the folks who want to get technical). It is good to pay attention to the hunting seasons!

Wild Horses are found in these mountains as well! The Wild Horses are easy enough to spot at the tree's with high grasses growing. A lot of dung in the road, they use the roads too! Driving quickly in the Ochoco Mountains may not result in a great outcome! Sheep, lots of sheep graze in the Ochoco Mountains. Cattle are also brought into the Ochoco Mountains. You do not think the campers and our taxes pay for everything do you?





Just keep your eyes open if you are around the Crooked River, any part of it! The wildlife might be small, might be hard to see if you do not yet have the eyes to see. Wildlife is there! You just got to slow down, look around!

PLEASE if you pack it in, pack it out! Sure there are garbage cans here and there in the parks, however people have to empty these and in today's economy just pack it out yourself!

Thank you for coming by and visiting Oregon!

Shaggy Mane Inky Mushroom Photograph by Coralie Mrsroadrunner

Oregon is well known for our mushrooms.
We have the rich soil of the volcano of the Cascade Mountains, mixed with the rich soil of that which the trees leave behind during our wildfires. One thing to be certain of is, the Pacific Northwest has been and always has been known for our mushrooms.


The Inky Cap is known as such for the black "ink" type substance that drips from the mushroom at curtain times of the mushrooms life. I of course had to touch this.... and it does not come off all that easily!!



I personally like finding them in clusters growing here and there in our mountains here in Oregon. Being mindful of course of those who make a living off of picking such things as mushrooms. Staying out of these areas where their signs are typically posted when they are at work. Mushrooms are a thriving business in our part of the world. However I really can not say I know the laws of the inky cap..... I hear they are edible at curtain times of their life. Though I enjoy photographing them and that is it.


The clusters can consist of many mushrooms all bundles together, or just one whose spores traveled somehow to a spot to establish itself.


One rule of thumb I grew up with here in Oregon is, dont eat mushrooms you do not know exactly what they are. If you are on of these folks who want to go mushroom picking, keep in mind their are rules set forth now. As I said mushrooms are big business in states like ours.
Thank you for coming by my post!

Gray Jay Bicolored Ochoco Mountains Oregon

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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Antelope Herd Ochoco Mountains Oregon

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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