This is the Spadefoot Toad who resides at one of our ponds.
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Monday, June 16, 2014
Friday, June 6, 2014
Adventure in the Canyon
Mrsroadrunner Photography | Adventure in the Canyon
As some who follow along on twitter know, I headed out Sunday into the canyon.
Typically Guy comes along however he had chores to do and took me the ten minutes away which takes me hours to walk. That cut down so much time just having him drive me to the side of the road where there is a good start into the canyon (I best go see what the dogs are barking at). I swear this one mastiff we have barks just to hear himself bark haha! Back to my little write up!
So Guy drops me off and tells me he will be at our meat up spot in two hours to pick me up...... wow two hours! It took me four hours to get to the meet up spot, but I am jumping ahead here. I get out of the truck and start grabbing my camera backpack that has my older model canon and all my supplies. Then the water canteen. Have to have water any time one goes on a walk here in the High Desert of Oregon!! Last my camera with my leans on I will have on me.
First thing Guy and I hear is a Red Tailed Hawk screaming at us! This hawk continued the screaming and following up in the sky for some ways!! Guy tells me before he drives off, "I will be at our meeting spot in two hours, we know how well your timing is". We looked at each other and laughed!
Time, never been good with time!! EVER! Why I think I like to be early for meeting and such is because something can get my attention and time means nothing! This day was no different. I headed off.......
The water was running and I followed. The purpose of following the water was to make it to the waterfall that one can only see by either hiking in on foot or horseback, by boat or by airplane. Plus wildlife have to drink, water is a big deal here on the high desert!!
Butterfly was the first real living thing other then that pesky hawk screaming at me from above! I really did not feel I had enough room on my camera card or battery life in my battery for this hike. I did not know I was going to be there!!I may have to dig out my other camera but.... I passed up photographing that butterfly for some wildflowers. WOW, do I love seeing the flowers blooming on the desert floor!!
I did find what folks call a "deer trail", to follow. This is not a designated walking trail like folks see in the city or even down at Lake Billy Chinook. Walk in and do as little damage as you can as to not even see your tracks! I did my best to stay to this "deer trail", that it was obvious the critters use. At times the trail would disappear into just patches of desert floor. No grass no nothing to even make a indent of any kind of trail.
Keeping the water to my right side told me I am going in the right direction. NOTHING like getting lost!! With the canyon walls both to my right and left , rather hard to get lost but you might be surprised! One canyon looks like another after some time. I did forget a weapon, which concerned Guy but told him I will be fine! I only carry a weapon due to the creatures I have encountered. Rarely encountering people.
I did see a rock chuck come out of it's rock home to find out what all the noise was! It froze the whole time I walked by. By this time the Hawk seamed to be keeping to the spot I hiked through, the screaming was getting further away finally stopping. I am out of it's territory I figured?
Oh boy the songbirds!! Made me wish I brought my audio recorder in which I left at home due to again, not knowing I was coming on this hike! Vary quiet in the canyon but the sounds of running water and the creatures I was sharing the canyon with! I came upon and passed quite a lot of coyote scat which if you ever had coyotes where you live you know the difference in coyote and domesticated, well fed pet dogs. Typically well fed dogs do not have hair and calcium deposits in their scat....... This told me I am in a coyotes territory which is not uncommon here in the high desert.
The things you do not want to see while hiking alone with no weapon is mountain lion tracks. Guy has drilled such things into my head and what they look like! Predators typically are not going to show themselves unless I just happen upon them and coyotes dont want anything to do with us! Other hikes alone and with Guy and the dogs have taught me that coyotes will follow quietly, usually they are alone and follow just out of curiosity or waiting for you to kick something up. Though I did have one vary close to me attack the quail that I too was watching. The coyote and I made eye contact and I think I scared it as it scared me? Who is prepared for a coyote to jump out of no where?? Never have ran into a mountain lion, ever..... we only seen tracks of them. The bear we have seen just run away. No bear where I was have ever been seen in the area, at least lately. I try and keep up with such things. Mountain lions yes and the state of Oregon is really good about putting up notices for the tourists. I however, was not in a tourist area , but either Guy or I would have gotten wind of such news.
I did come across some strange sounds that made me stop in my tracks! Hiking in canyons one thing to be curtain of is, sound carries! What could sound as if it is right in front of you, could be sound bouncing off the rock walls of the canyon. Stopping is only logical. I stopped to check out my surroundings, make sure I am not being followed.
You know how you can stair at a person and they will look at you?? Well critters have this sense but it is acute, it is life to wildlife. Some folks can tell when others are looking at them. This is what it felt like in this canyon, I was being watched. It would be rather ignorant of me to think anything different anyways!! I am in another beings house, so of course I am being watched!
I look around trying to figure out where that odd noise is coming from!! I move slow one step stop, the noise is still going on loudly! The strange noise is so loud it drowns out the noise of the running water, no pun intended! All the species of animals I have photographed comes to mind..... just does not sound like anything I have photographed?
Can not say how long I was at that spot?? Though I did finally realize where the noise was coming from!! There was a hole in a tree, waste high. I looked into the hole which of course was pitch black and I wished I would have brought my little flash light.... again I did not know I was going on this hike!! The noise stopped!!
In fact everything stopped but the noise of the running water! Quiet!! I thought this was interesting! I must of looked in that hole several times. I did see movement, but what on earth is moving around down there?? I thought I seen a beak, but really not sure?? I moved away from the hole in the tree and made sure some branches and leaves were hiding me, and waited. Nothing...... My limbs go numb if I stay in one spot to long, just the way it is and I have learned to deal with this. I looked in the hole one more time and tried to get my lens in there, but whatever it is moving around is just to deep into the tree. I thought I could put my hand in there , but that is stupid!! I moved on.....
I noticed a black colored dragonfly kept following me. More then likely the dragonfly was using me as protection from the birds who eat it, and I was kicking up bugs that it ate. I got a couple shots of it when it would allow me too. I also noticed a lot of robberflies! I hear one does not want to be bit by one of these! They look so darn prehistoric , what nightmares are made of! Three eyed insects with a vary good hunting capability, more so then the dragonflies. Or this has been my observations. Either I was seeing a lot of these robberflies or one of them is keeping near me for the same reasons I am thinking that dragonfly was?? Right in front of me at one point, a robberfly caught a pretty butterfly I no doubt kicked up by just walking.
Oh hey I see the top of the waterfall! End of the running water! At this time I started getting dive bombed by birds!! Some choice words came from my mouth that are not appropriate words but they came flying out of my mouth as fast as those darn swallowtails were dive bombing me!! I must be around a nest?? Still, I am getting shots of this waterfall anyways! The swallowtail, I assume they were some species of swallowtail. They are always seen at this spot and pretty birds if you can get a shot of them! They were just throwing a fit screaming, dive bombing me! Get over it I told them!
I promised Guy I would not go out on the rocky ledges of the canyon rim! Vertigo hit me as I looked down at the water. This soon went away. I did get shots of the waterfall, and though I kept my promise as far as walking to the canyon ledge, I did check out the deep crevasses of the canyon rim..... These cracks in the rocks extend out about five feet or so from the canyon rim. Some spots more so away from the ledge then others. Some day these rocks will fall into the canyon, Guys feelings of this is - he does not want me going into the canyon itself on these rocks. I see where he is coming from. I would get hurt, anyone would! Falling rock is a possibility and I checked this theory out away from the canyon ledge on some of the rocks. Sure enough they fell into the crevasses .
The lizards use the crevasses as homes, and to hide in. Many lizards running here and there out of my way and my shadow was even looked at as a threat to the lizards! I did notice the lizards have yet to get real blue. The Western Fence Lizards can get real blue! Actually real pretty for lizards!
I do have a choice here at the waterfall, right or left?? To get to our meeting spot I have to take a left. Then is when I noticed the Turkey Vultures. WOW quite a few of them, counted nine. So, this is seen as quite a few. Turkey Vultures are common here, and typically dont harm anyone unless, a huge unless you are near a nest!! We found this out when one dive bombed Guy knocking off his hat and Guy dove to the ground.... I of course laughed and got photographs of the bird looking real proud of itself haha! These vultures were not being aggressive. One of them gave out a yell as it looked at me, but it seams as if it was calling in more? For that is when more came over.
Their shadow was even playing tricks with me! At first I thought the vulture shadow was something running like a cotton tail rabbit, but no. Just a shadow since I was on top of the canyon and the vultures were flying real close to me! Turkey Vultures are rather large birds if you have never been close to one. Extremely curious and will check you out!! I am sure being here at Lake Billy Chinook checking out people has given the birds a good advantage since people are dirty and vultures like dirty!! They clean up the desert floor of anything edible. YUM YUM haha.
People also scare out creatures who might be eating on something? This the turkey vultures will take full advantage of! We scare whatever is eating, the vultures come right in and take whatever is being eaten on, win win the birds must feel? Learned behavior is, people are a food source.
Checking out the beautiful view of the canyon. Boaters are in the canyon skiing, some being pulled on boards, some just chilling on their boats. I see a house boat, which visitors can rent! We seen a sign saying $250 a day or something for a house boat rental. Some boater has Johnny Cash blaring on his music player while someone else has some rap song going. It can be vary noise in the canyon!! AND these boaters may not realize it, but I can even hear them talk up here on the canyon rim haha. Some of the things said down there is really quite funny when folks think no one is around to hear them haha!! Some of the things are quite personal too! Other times , oh look someone is up there, how did they get up there haha!
This vary thing is why I refuse to take the dogs here!! The canyon can play tricks on people, and dogs!! With the birds flying so close, cotton tail rabbits I have seen here, the lizards! Dogs can and have been known to fall right off the ledge into the canyon! One of the canyons here in our area has a huge sign telling visitors NO DOGS!! I would not even bring a child there where I hike! Maybe a older teenager?? If that teenager has good sense? Funny, my boys have never had a interest in coming out with me or us. Sure a couple times one or the other have came with, but they tend to think it is to boring. Perhaps cause I had to drag them with me to places when they were little?? Heck one of my kids would collect spent shotgun shells. It was cute, he would say mom, these people are littering. Could not argue with his logic!!
I spend some time with the turkey vultures at that spot! The crevasses were not so dominant here. It looks like at one time there may have been crevasses as other parts of the canyon wall but have long ago fell into the canyon leaving only a indent where vegetation is now growing. Plus I am keeping my promise to Guy...... I even thought about sitting and taking a rest. Who knows how long I have been gone at this point?? The canteen is about half gone at this point and it sure gets hot up here! I left it was 60 degrees, that was at 9am. Did not think it was going to get to hot this day.
I did notice some activity on the other side of the canyon. Bird activity. Not turkey vultures! Looked as if several of the turkey vultures were not allowing the other birds to fly over where I was. Thought that was interesting how different species of birds interact with each other. The other species of bird went higher in the sky and here they come with those turkey vultures that looked like they were guards hot on their trail!
Come to find out the other species of birds were young bald eagles! Two spotty brown,white,black feathered bald eagles screaming at the turkey vultures as the vultures were screaming back at them, what a show!! Hope the visitors down in the canyon in their boats are seeing this! If that is they are interested in such things. Surprise or not, some folks could care less about wildlife! I dont get it myself but.....
The young bald eagles came over, checked out the situation. There were so many turkey vultures I dont think the eagles thought it was worth it! They flew back over to the other side of the canyon where no doubt there is a nest?? By this time I was looking in my lens to see if I could see adult bald eagles but I did not see any. This whole area is a hot spot for bald eagles!! Few miles down the canyon one will come upon the Warm Spring Indian Reservation and they hold once a year a bald eagle watch. Heck for what that is worth I could be standing on reservation land?? Never checked it out before.....
At one time I hear this whole area belonged to the Warm Springs Tribe? Then more people moved into the area and needed electricity , needed places to play in their boats, fish and hunt. Camping is big here as well. Folks from all over come here to play. Not just folks from the USA either! The dam makes more water back up into the lake. What the Crooked River, the Metolius River and the Deshutes River all flow here. It is a unique place and one of my favorites! I am glad we live so close to the canyon. The canyon, when I speak of "The Canyon", it is typically here is what I am speaking of.
This is where I thought you know , I am going to head to the meet up spot and be there before Guy for my sense of time is really good you know, wink wink laugh ! So I started out leaving the views and the birds. The turkey vultures some of them actually followed me! This is when I heard something screaming at me once again!! Not a vulture, not a eagle.... it was some species of hawk. It was not a red tail but sure looked small up against the vultures!! The turkey vultures did not feel threatened by this little hawk either!! Oh heck it could have been a falcon too?? I have not seen one osprey that day which was weird, they must just be in another spot fishing?
The smaller bird of prey darted off never to be seen again. I guess it told me off but good? I looked for my landmark off in the distance. Then I thought wait a minute this does not look right!! OH CRAP, I am still in the original canyon I started out in!! I have to climb up out of this canyon!! Darn, I am never going to make it to the meeting spot before Guy now!!
I spent way to long with the turkey vultures and the scenery at that spot!! So I start the climb UP. By the way, you know water canteens and camera equipment gets heavy after a while haha! I know you know this haha! However I just thought I would say this out loud ha!!
Up I climb! Only thing that gets old is the climb out of the canyons I find myself attracted too! Not all of them have roads, or usable roads! Ya Lake Billy has nice roads for tourists go there, but ..... if you have ever been to Lake Billy Chinook those canyons are everywhere here, not just there! Lake Billy Chinook is the biggest one though....
I get to the top where there is really nothing but desert floor. Seeing a lot of lizards here! I get to a good spot to snap a photograph then I start heading to the meet up spot. I admit I was looking forwards to the nice comfortable seats of that truck haha!! After some time of walking I hear the truck horn and think oh crap Guy is there waiting already!!
I walk out of the desert and there is Guy! Getting into the truck and the nice comfortable seats I ask Guy, "You just get here"?? I did not ask this because I thought he just got there, I asked this for I new , just new my timing was off and that was more positive then saying ya ya I am late!!
Two hours late I was! Guy took it quite well, I mean he was telling me of getting done with all his chores, then going to town for gas, and coming back here waiting for me. Then going back to the house, getting some things coming back to the meeting spot..... I can just imagine how freaked out he was? We now know my "loop", takes me 4 hours to hike alone.
In closing; It did take me gosh almost a week to get this up..... Thank you for coming by and spending time with me! I do sale my photography. Find my facebook page Facebook fan page (give a like??), of course Twitter .
As some who follow along on twitter know, I headed out Sunday into the canyon.
Typically Guy comes along however he had chores to do and took me the ten minutes away which takes me hours to walk. That cut down so much time just having him drive me to the side of the road where there is a good start into the canyon (I best go see what the dogs are barking at). I swear this one mastiff we have barks just to hear himself bark haha! Back to my little write up!
So Guy drops me off and tells me he will be at our meat up spot in two hours to pick me up...... wow two hours! It took me four hours to get to the meet up spot, but I am jumping ahead here. I get out of the truck and start grabbing my camera backpack that has my older model canon and all my supplies. Then the water canteen. Have to have water any time one goes on a walk here in the High Desert of Oregon!! Last my camera with my leans on I will have on me.
First thing Guy and I hear is a Red Tailed Hawk screaming at us! This hawk continued the screaming and following up in the sky for some ways!! Guy tells me before he drives off, "I will be at our meeting spot in two hours, we know how well your timing is". We looked at each other and laughed!
Time, never been good with time!! EVER! Why I think I like to be early for meeting and such is because something can get my attention and time means nothing! This day was no different. I headed off.......
The water was running and I followed. The purpose of following the water was to make it to the waterfall that one can only see by either hiking in on foot or horseback, by boat or by airplane. Plus wildlife have to drink, water is a big deal here on the high desert!!
Butterfly was the first real living thing other then that pesky hawk screaming at me from above! I really did not feel I had enough room on my camera card or battery life in my battery for this hike. I did not know I was going to be there!!I may have to dig out my other camera but.... I passed up photographing that butterfly for some wildflowers. WOW, do I love seeing the flowers blooming on the desert floor!!
I did find what folks call a "deer trail", to follow. This is not a designated walking trail like folks see in the city or even down at Lake Billy Chinook. Walk in and do as little damage as you can as to not even see your tracks! I did my best to stay to this "deer trail", that it was obvious the critters use. At times the trail would disappear into just patches of desert floor. No grass no nothing to even make a indent of any kind of trail.
Keeping the water to my right side told me I am going in the right direction. NOTHING like getting lost!! With the canyon walls both to my right and left , rather hard to get lost but you might be surprised! One canyon looks like another after some time. I did forget a weapon, which concerned Guy but told him I will be fine! I only carry a weapon due to the creatures I have encountered. Rarely encountering people.
I did see a rock chuck come out of it's rock home to find out what all the noise was! It froze the whole time I walked by. By this time the Hawk seamed to be keeping to the spot I hiked through, the screaming was getting further away finally stopping. I am out of it's territory I figured?
Oh boy the songbirds!! Made me wish I brought my audio recorder in which I left at home due to again, not knowing I was coming on this hike! Vary quiet in the canyon but the sounds of running water and the creatures I was sharing the canyon with! I came upon and passed quite a lot of coyote scat which if you ever had coyotes where you live you know the difference in coyote and domesticated, well fed pet dogs. Typically well fed dogs do not have hair and calcium deposits in their scat....... This told me I am in a coyotes territory which is not uncommon here in the high desert.
The things you do not want to see while hiking alone with no weapon is mountain lion tracks. Guy has drilled such things into my head and what they look like! Predators typically are not going to show themselves unless I just happen upon them and coyotes dont want anything to do with us! Other hikes alone and with Guy and the dogs have taught me that coyotes will follow quietly, usually they are alone and follow just out of curiosity or waiting for you to kick something up. Though I did have one vary close to me attack the quail that I too was watching. The coyote and I made eye contact and I think I scared it as it scared me? Who is prepared for a coyote to jump out of no where?? Never have ran into a mountain lion, ever..... we only seen tracks of them. The bear we have seen just run away. No bear where I was have ever been seen in the area, at least lately. I try and keep up with such things. Mountain lions yes and the state of Oregon is really good about putting up notices for the tourists. I however, was not in a tourist area , but either Guy or I would have gotten wind of such news.
I did come across some strange sounds that made me stop in my tracks! Hiking in canyons one thing to be curtain of is, sound carries! What could sound as if it is right in front of you, could be sound bouncing off the rock walls of the canyon. Stopping is only logical. I stopped to check out my surroundings, make sure I am not being followed.
You know how you can stair at a person and they will look at you?? Well critters have this sense but it is acute, it is life to wildlife. Some folks can tell when others are looking at them. This is what it felt like in this canyon, I was being watched. It would be rather ignorant of me to think anything different anyways!! I am in another beings house, so of course I am being watched!
I look around trying to figure out where that odd noise is coming from!! I move slow one step stop, the noise is still going on loudly! The strange noise is so loud it drowns out the noise of the running water, no pun intended! All the species of animals I have photographed comes to mind..... just does not sound like anything I have photographed?
Can not say how long I was at that spot?? Though I did finally realize where the noise was coming from!! There was a hole in a tree, waste high. I looked into the hole which of course was pitch black and I wished I would have brought my little flash light.... again I did not know I was going on this hike!! The noise stopped!!
In fact everything stopped but the noise of the running water! Quiet!! I thought this was interesting! I must of looked in that hole several times. I did see movement, but what on earth is moving around down there?? I thought I seen a beak, but really not sure?? I moved away from the hole in the tree and made sure some branches and leaves were hiding me, and waited. Nothing...... My limbs go numb if I stay in one spot to long, just the way it is and I have learned to deal with this. I looked in the hole one more time and tried to get my lens in there, but whatever it is moving around is just to deep into the tree. I thought I could put my hand in there , but that is stupid!! I moved on.....
I noticed a black colored dragonfly kept following me. More then likely the dragonfly was using me as protection from the birds who eat it, and I was kicking up bugs that it ate. I got a couple shots of it when it would allow me too. I also noticed a lot of robberflies! I hear one does not want to be bit by one of these! They look so darn prehistoric , what nightmares are made of! Three eyed insects with a vary good hunting capability, more so then the dragonflies. Or this has been my observations. Either I was seeing a lot of these robberflies or one of them is keeping near me for the same reasons I am thinking that dragonfly was?? Right in front of me at one point, a robberfly caught a pretty butterfly I no doubt kicked up by just walking.
Oh hey I see the top of the waterfall! End of the running water! At this time I started getting dive bombed by birds!! Some choice words came from my mouth that are not appropriate words but they came flying out of my mouth as fast as those darn swallowtails were dive bombing me!! I must be around a nest?? Still, I am getting shots of this waterfall anyways! The swallowtail, I assume they were some species of swallowtail. They are always seen at this spot and pretty birds if you can get a shot of them! They were just throwing a fit screaming, dive bombing me! Get over it I told them!
I promised Guy I would not go out on the rocky ledges of the canyon rim! Vertigo hit me as I looked down at the water. This soon went away. I did get shots of the waterfall, and though I kept my promise as far as walking to the canyon ledge, I did check out the deep crevasses of the canyon rim..... These cracks in the rocks extend out about five feet or so from the canyon rim. Some spots more so away from the ledge then others. Some day these rocks will fall into the canyon, Guys feelings of this is - he does not want me going into the canyon itself on these rocks. I see where he is coming from. I would get hurt, anyone would! Falling rock is a possibility and I checked this theory out away from the canyon ledge on some of the rocks. Sure enough they fell into the crevasses .
The lizards use the crevasses as homes, and to hide in. Many lizards running here and there out of my way and my shadow was even looked at as a threat to the lizards! I did notice the lizards have yet to get real blue. The Western Fence Lizards can get real blue! Actually real pretty for lizards!
I do have a choice here at the waterfall, right or left?? To get to our meeting spot I have to take a left. Then is when I noticed the Turkey Vultures. WOW quite a few of them, counted nine. So, this is seen as quite a few. Turkey Vultures are common here, and typically dont harm anyone unless, a huge unless you are near a nest!! We found this out when one dive bombed Guy knocking off his hat and Guy dove to the ground.... I of course laughed and got photographs of the bird looking real proud of itself haha! These vultures were not being aggressive. One of them gave out a yell as it looked at me, but it seams as if it was calling in more? For that is when more came over.
Their shadow was even playing tricks with me! At first I thought the vulture shadow was something running like a cotton tail rabbit, but no. Just a shadow since I was on top of the canyon and the vultures were flying real close to me! Turkey Vultures are rather large birds if you have never been close to one. Extremely curious and will check you out!! I am sure being here at Lake Billy Chinook checking out people has given the birds a good advantage since people are dirty and vultures like dirty!! They clean up the desert floor of anything edible. YUM YUM haha.
People also scare out creatures who might be eating on something? This the turkey vultures will take full advantage of! We scare whatever is eating, the vultures come right in and take whatever is being eaten on, win win the birds must feel? Learned behavior is, people are a food source.
Checking out the beautiful view of the canyon. Boaters are in the canyon skiing, some being pulled on boards, some just chilling on their boats. I see a house boat, which visitors can rent! We seen a sign saying $250 a day or something for a house boat rental. Some boater has Johnny Cash blaring on his music player while someone else has some rap song going. It can be vary noise in the canyon!! AND these boaters may not realize it, but I can even hear them talk up here on the canyon rim haha. Some of the things said down there is really quite funny when folks think no one is around to hear them haha!! Some of the things are quite personal too! Other times , oh look someone is up there, how did they get up there haha!
This vary thing is why I refuse to take the dogs here!! The canyon can play tricks on people, and dogs!! With the birds flying so close, cotton tail rabbits I have seen here, the lizards! Dogs can and have been known to fall right off the ledge into the canyon! One of the canyons here in our area has a huge sign telling visitors NO DOGS!! I would not even bring a child there where I hike! Maybe a older teenager?? If that teenager has good sense? Funny, my boys have never had a interest in coming out with me or us. Sure a couple times one or the other have came with, but they tend to think it is to boring. Perhaps cause I had to drag them with me to places when they were little?? Heck one of my kids would collect spent shotgun shells. It was cute, he would say mom, these people are littering. Could not argue with his logic!!
I spend some time with the turkey vultures at that spot! The crevasses were not so dominant here. It looks like at one time there may have been crevasses as other parts of the canyon wall but have long ago fell into the canyon leaving only a indent where vegetation is now growing. Plus I am keeping my promise to Guy...... I even thought about sitting and taking a rest. Who knows how long I have been gone at this point?? The canteen is about half gone at this point and it sure gets hot up here! I left it was 60 degrees, that was at 9am. Did not think it was going to get to hot this day.
I did notice some activity on the other side of the canyon. Bird activity. Not turkey vultures! Looked as if several of the turkey vultures were not allowing the other birds to fly over where I was. Thought that was interesting how different species of birds interact with each other. The other species of bird went higher in the sky and here they come with those turkey vultures that looked like they were guards hot on their trail!
Come to find out the other species of birds were young bald eagles! Two spotty brown,white,black feathered bald eagles screaming at the turkey vultures as the vultures were screaming back at them, what a show!! Hope the visitors down in the canyon in their boats are seeing this! If that is they are interested in such things. Surprise or not, some folks could care less about wildlife! I dont get it myself but.....
The young bald eagles came over, checked out the situation. There were so many turkey vultures I dont think the eagles thought it was worth it! They flew back over to the other side of the canyon where no doubt there is a nest?? By this time I was looking in my lens to see if I could see adult bald eagles but I did not see any. This whole area is a hot spot for bald eagles!! Few miles down the canyon one will come upon the Warm Spring Indian Reservation and they hold once a year a bald eagle watch. Heck for what that is worth I could be standing on reservation land?? Never checked it out before.....
At one time I hear this whole area belonged to the Warm Springs Tribe? Then more people moved into the area and needed electricity , needed places to play in their boats, fish and hunt. Camping is big here as well. Folks from all over come here to play. Not just folks from the USA either! The dam makes more water back up into the lake. What the Crooked River, the Metolius River and the Deshutes River all flow here. It is a unique place and one of my favorites! I am glad we live so close to the canyon. The canyon, when I speak of "The Canyon", it is typically here is what I am speaking of.
This is where I thought you know , I am going to head to the meet up spot and be there before Guy for my sense of time is really good you know, wink wink laugh ! So I started out leaving the views and the birds. The turkey vultures some of them actually followed me! This is when I heard something screaming at me once again!! Not a vulture, not a eagle.... it was some species of hawk. It was not a red tail but sure looked small up against the vultures!! The turkey vultures did not feel threatened by this little hawk either!! Oh heck it could have been a falcon too?? I have not seen one osprey that day which was weird, they must just be in another spot fishing?
The smaller bird of prey darted off never to be seen again. I guess it told me off but good? I looked for my landmark off in the distance. Then I thought wait a minute this does not look right!! OH CRAP, I am still in the original canyon I started out in!! I have to climb up out of this canyon!! Darn, I am never going to make it to the meeting spot before Guy now!!
I spent way to long with the turkey vultures and the scenery at that spot!! So I start the climb UP. By the way, you know water canteens and camera equipment gets heavy after a while haha! I know you know this haha! However I just thought I would say this out loud ha!!
Up I climb! Only thing that gets old is the climb out of the canyons I find myself attracted too! Not all of them have roads, or usable roads! Ya Lake Billy has nice roads for tourists go there, but ..... if you have ever been to Lake Billy Chinook those canyons are everywhere here, not just there! Lake Billy Chinook is the biggest one though....
I get to the top where there is really nothing but desert floor. Seeing a lot of lizards here! I get to a good spot to snap a photograph then I start heading to the meet up spot. I admit I was looking forwards to the nice comfortable seats of that truck haha!! After some time of walking I hear the truck horn and think oh crap Guy is there waiting already!!
I walk out of the desert and there is Guy! Getting into the truck and the nice comfortable seats I ask Guy, "You just get here"?? I did not ask this because I thought he just got there, I asked this for I new , just new my timing was off and that was more positive then saying ya ya I am late!!
Two hours late I was! Guy took it quite well, I mean he was telling me of getting done with all his chores, then going to town for gas, and coming back here waiting for me. Then going back to the house, getting some things coming back to the meeting spot..... I can just imagine how freaked out he was? We now know my "loop", takes me 4 hours to hike alone.
In closing; It did take me gosh almost a week to get this up..... Thank you for coming by and spending time with me! I do sale my photography. Find my facebook page Facebook fan page (give a like??), of course Twitter .
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Swallowtail Butterflies and The Zinnia Flowers
Swallowtail Butterflies and The Zinnia Flowers
The swallowtail Butterfly is a larger species of butterfly we have here on our small plot of land.
It is about that time to plant for some of us, some flowers have already bloomed or are growing. Seeding time for us here in the high desert of Oregon is getting near and I can hardly wait!!
To attract these lovelies to the garden is not real hard, just need to find the flowers they like to feed on. The Zinnia is the first of these flowers I would like to speak of for they are pretty and found at most stores in the garden area.
I personally leave the Zinnias in the ground from start to finish. This gives the butterflies something to eat even though to us the flowers may no longer look desirable, however we are not butterflies!
As for photography, I like photographing the butterflies when they first come from their cocoon. All butterflies are the most colorful , vibrant and unharmed from predators at this time.
Zinnia flowers come in all flavors. These zinnia flowers of ours are "dahlia", zinnias. They grow oh, two feet tall.
I personally spend a lot of time outdoors when the weather gets nice and everything is blooming. What I find interesting about the butterfly and other insects is the details of day to day life. This of course means I have a lot of photographs that to the untrained eye are not different. However, for us who love detail we notice each photograph is different and lots of activity going on!
After some time of being out in the Zinnia flowers the swallowtails do start to ignore me, going on with their day to day life's. Of course depending on the competition they have for the flowers!! One or two swallowtails, ya they may just fly off. A dozen or more swallowtails and they tend to not care so much about what I am doing.
I also do not see one color of the Zinnia flower getting more attention from another color of the Zinnia flower from the Swallowtail Butterflies. The Zinnia Flowers even have several different insects feeding off the same flower!
One thing I have not noticed is the Swallowtail Butterfly laying eggs on the Zinnia Flowers. I do not have any proof though I think the Swallowtails would much rather lay eggs in the Lilac bushes and the trees that give the caterpillars a much better food source then the Zinnia Flowers.
Sometimes more then one Swallowtail Butterfly can be captured with the camera.
Mostly though, I like to get right up and personal with one Swallowtail Butterfly. For photography folks out there, I do use manual settings AND no tripod. Manual lens for the auto just does not cut it for me. Just a personal choice and using the tripod is to restrictive for this type of photography for me. Keep in mind this is a personal choice..... As for the natural light, well we can not dictate to butterflies, Swallowtail or otherwise when it is time to being active ! We are in their world. The butterflies are NOT in our world if we want to capture with the camera their day to day natural life.
If we want to attract the Butterflies we have to find the flowers they like to eat. We also need to keep in mind their water source. If their is a food source and no water source for them, we may get some to our garden. Then the butterflies have to leave for a drink. If we supply the butterflies with a water source, and a food source well..... we will see a increase in the butterfly activity. We water two times a day and leave a muddy area for the butterflies and other insects. Not real fancy, nor does this way of ours cost us any money other then the water we use.
I will do a series of the Swallowtail Butterfly here in our garden and what flowers I have found that the Swallowtail like from my own observations. Might give you some ideas of what to plant in your own garden?
I do have MANY more photographs of the Swallowtail Butterfly that are common here in the High Desert of Oregon here
Thank you for coming by and spending time with me! I do sale my photography. Find my facebook page Facebook fan page (give a like??), of course Twitter .
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
White Crowned Sparrow Visiting The Garden
Mrsroadrunner Photography | White Crowned Sparrow Visiting The Garden
The White Crowned Sparrow can be found for some time here in our gardens and our wild bird area. This area consists of everything a bird could want!
Cats are prohibited in this area where the wild birds come and go! They bath, sleep, hang out then go on their merry way!
This White Crowed Sparrow is perched on our raspberry plants. These plants just now started leafing out. Soon berries will appear!
I do see a rose cane that needs removed....
Then after some time giving this one some attention, off he goes!
Thank you for coming by and spending time with me! Check out my other photography at mrsroadrunner.com . I do sale my photography so I can head out and observe our off the beat and path places here in Oregon! Facebook fan page (give a like??), of course Twitter .
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Mrsroadrunner Photography | Amaryllis Flower Project
Mrsroadrunner Photography | Amaryllis Flower Project
If I would thought of it I would have put something near the pollen sacks there but.... I dint. Bright yellow and on these flowers they are a good size.
Again if I thought I was going to do a post about this I would have left the seeds within this empty seed pod for you all to see!
Thank you for coming by and spending time with me! Check out my other photography at mrsroadrunner.com . I do sale my photography so I can head out and observe our off the beat and path places here in Oregon! Facebook fan page (give a like??), of course Twitter .
This is my Red Amaryllis Flower Cluster. This is one of my indoor plants that flower. The lighting is artificial and rather funky to photograph within my room.
This flower species is from South Africa and I just do not want to get into the species thing going on since two species have been put into the name "Amaryllis", category sold here in America (other countries too?).
This bulb is HUGE. All these flower bulbs are large, they are a large flower. I have had all my bulbs for gosh over 6 years. I do have several and different colors. I have done this and that with them. From pulling them from the room keeping them in a breathable paper bag in the dark, to planting them in large, medium and small containers. To putting them directly in the ground! Results, the bulb seams to like the small containers best in my environment. Perhaps even root bound??
This bulb produced two clusters of flowers, the one above and another cluster. I waited for this cluster of flowers to open and I hand pollinated ONLY one cluster. Not real hard to do, just a little time consuming! Not as bad as hand pollinated African Violets!!
If I would thought of it I would have put something near the pollen sacks there but.... I dint. Bright yellow and on these flowers they are a good size.
I went ahead and just pollinated flower to flower.... We get house flies in my room who do pollinate, however the frogs take care of the flies. I put in organic matter to attract gnats, however the frog eat them too. So I just hand pollinate. This way I am sure things are going to pollinate what I want pollinated.
The other cluster of flowers not shown here, I left alone. Just to see if anything was pollinating for me... nope! They all died away.
After some time I got these seed pods, not all four flowers took. Three out of four is not bad odds!!
I have had indoor photographers give me advice on how to photograph indoors, however this is not my main way of photographing things so ......
This is the seeds pods maturing. Three out of Four flowers took. The first one there you can see it slowly breaking open. Keeping these seed pods dry is vary important, since mold will set in and ruin everything!!
Living here on The High Desert of Oregon humidity is what it is and making humidity is what it is as well!! Other issues which I can make a whole other blog post about just our dry conditions!!
A lot of waiting goes on doing such a thing as this..... wait, wait,wait!! I am giving this project a year or more to get or not get results! Nature is what it is.... breeding plants can take some folks years and years!! Or depending on the species may only take a year to produce seeds, the nest year to grow the seeds. Grafting is a quick way to get results. You take one species of whatever, use those roots to grow the top of another species which there is a lot more to it then that but.... again another blog post!
We do have quite a lot of cross breeding going on outside within our flowers..... this is just because of all the species of flowers and all the pollinators out there doing their job. We never know what it going to cross breed outside until the next year. Outside is not a controlled atmosphere. Some pollen can travel miles on the wind..... however typically hitchhiking on someones boots, legs of insects, dogs, cats, on and on. If a breeder does not allow you to get out of your vehicle, or to walk around their property, dont take offense these folks are just protecting their work. I learned this as a kid and wanted to see a Orchid breeders flowers.....
The pod there in front I photographed that one for it was going to pop open first. You can see it getting ready.
Again if I thought I was going to do a post about this I would have left the seeds within this empty seed pod for you all to see!
Three chambers of seeds came from this one seed pod. I have breed bugs in the past. Ya, Ya why bugs.... well this reminds me of a egg sacks of the bugs.... the seeds are attached in rows. Dried as these were some fell out others were still attached however dry enough to harvest. Some seeds did not ripen and this was ok too! Heck I do not even know if these seeds will grow!!
Guy calls me a seed queen for I just can not throw away seeds! Seeds are a potential flower and I like MOST flowers. Not all of course for weeds are flowers too!
Mind you I am also not a professional flower breeder so I can not impress you with all those big names in and out of the latin , or some other language. I started learning this stuff when I was a little girl in grade school. This stuff just fascinated me is all! This kind of stuff just came natural. No pun intended.
These are the first Amaryllis seeds I have ever seen. Encased in a nice casing that should do well in the wind. They do remind me of other species of seeds. Plants , flowers are like everything else in this world. They want to take over the world with their seed. This is survival, more seeds that are produced, take hold and grow , wins!!
I have put these seeds from this one pod in a plastic baggy. When everyone is done I shall have three plastic baggies. The seeds will be grown inside kept warm. When this time comes I will have to do research on South Africa's climate and it would make sense to copy their climate the best I can in my controlled atmosphere..... if that is I want to see any of these seeds grow into a bulb.
This can take time, lots and lots of time and waiting....... This is just something I am curious about. Bulbs are easier, the bulbs produce a "baby", you take that "baby", off and grow it by itself, and another flower is produced. Flowering and producing seeds will make some species die off. So if you are going to experiment do not be surprised if the host dies. This is life, produce young and life is over. Living and dying is what life is all about.
Thank you for coming by and spending time with me! Check out my other photography at mrsroadrunner.com . I do sale my photography so I can head out and observe our off the beat and path places here in Oregon! Facebook fan page (give a like??), of course Twitter .
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Mrsroadrunner Photography | Morning With A Muskrat
Mrsroadrunner Photography | Morning With A Muskrat
I headed off as every morning when I go on a walk here in our town. Checking my camera bag and choosing which lens to bring with me, knowing it will never be the right lens ha! Choosing whether to carry the heavy water canteen,or just fill up a bottle I have around here. Filled up a bottle with water that fits nicely into my bag is what I chose to do this morning.
I headed off as every morning when I go on a walk here in our town. Checking my camera bag and choosing which lens to bring with me, knowing it will never be the right lens ha! Choosing whether to carry the heavy water canteen,or just fill up a bottle I have around here. Filled up a bottle with water that fits nicely into my bag is what I chose to do this morning.
As times before a coyote disturbed the peace at the ponds. Hearing all the racket I new something was going down, however I just kept my slow pace hoping by the time I got there things would be calmed down?
If the Magpies would quit telling everyone I was there things would have went a little better? The ducks were on high alert due to the coyote no doubt?? All of them flew making loud distress calls as they went! Some in pairs going this way and that way! I did notice the farmers were busy doing their thing, which the wildlife get used to here in my part of the High Desert of Oregon. Jefferson County Oregon is a agricultural place after all!
As I looked over the first pond I seen nothing in the pond itself but for some small birds who looked like Robins taking baths. I was keeping a lookout for the Coyote of course, though Coyotes really do not want anything to do with people! I made my way through the brush to the second pond.
I did see something dive under the water. Whatever it was made a ripple in the water. We do have some pretty large fish here, but not in a pond of this size I thought? Shoot someone would have to put the fish here! Fish just cant walk to ponds! Hence why the state of Oregon is dropping fish from helicopters in the more remote lakes for those who hike to the lakes and want to fish.
Really these seam to be holding ponds that are not really used anymore for the farmer who owns the land. Pipes coming from the ponds themselves as well as what appears to be a machine which I really do not pay any mind to for to have permission to be on the land I have to follow some basic rules. Common sense tells me not to mess around with such things as machinery! The owner did not have to tell me this. However, I do find the pipes nice sitting spots. They are really long pipes that are basically on the ground.
I made myself comfy, and waited. Whatever it was will come up again. Sometime! Sure enough up pops a head with vegetation in it's paws!
I watched the Muskrat eat her breakfast taking of course a lot of photographs! No I did not put all the photographs on here, just a couple!
The Blackbirds in the tree nearest me were quiet for a second then off the male started doing his display calling to whatever female might happen to be around. The male Red Winged Blackbird did keep me company, along with the female who answered his call.
I watched the Muskrat eat her breakfast taking of course a lot of photographs! No I did not put all the photographs on here, just a couple!
The Muskrat after a time quit diving and bring up more vegetation to eat to what it looked like to me, she was checking on something?? Where she is there, that is the end of this pond, see the cattails and such?? This is a ok sized pond, I just call it the small pond.
In the next shot here, you can see she is contemplating something! Her behavior made me even wonder what she is thinking so hard about? I am only calling her a she, I do not know if this is a male or female? Perhaps the males venture out more then the females??
The morning was still pretty chilly at this time, I still had my sweater on. Though gosh the bugs!! I did have to check if I had ticks on me, though it is a little early for ticks I thought...... No tick thank goodness! I am a tick magnet, that is just the way it is! Guy (my other half), claims if there is a tick within a mile I will not only find it but I will bring it home with me ha! This is what happens when you hang out near the water!
Many places the visitors come to, these places do not have bugs to bother these folks as much for these places are sprayed with chemicals. This way folks can have a good time in our part of the world. You go off the beat and path, well.... you will get eaten up just like everything else by the bugs. However, these places off the beat and path are where I feel the best outdoor experiences come from! The trick is to learn where these kinds of places are.....
Now this next photograph is what made me know without a doubt this is no beaver!
Beavers do not have such a tail, hence Muskrat. Rat..... It is not like you can walk right up to a wildlife species and ask it what exactly do we humans call you?? I think most of my time photographing what I do when I get home is research!! I would of liked this to be a Beaver, why? Well, we do not see Beaver like we used to here! This really is not a place a beaver would be more then likely anyways, due to it not being connected to a river inlet etc.. Well, from what I know of Beaver without looking them up and reading.
I did kind of feel my observation of this Muskrat was over. Thinking just wait.... I am in no hurry, and I refuse to wear a watch or any kind of time piece. Though I did happen to notice the farmers , there was several people out on farm machinery on that piece of land over in that direction. That just happens to be where one can see as plain as day The Three Sisters mountains. What a horrible place to work right?? Where you have beautiful scenery of The Three Sisters mountain, with Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Hood right there in your face ha!
The farmers drove the farm machinery and parked all in a row. Common farmers like things neat and tidy! I assumed it was around lunch time?? Our town does not have a noon time bell like other towns I have been in. This is how I kind of new it was around noonish, or when it was going to start getting hot so 10ish?? WOW it did get hot later on btw!
I was contemplating getting up and leaving, but thought I would just sit tight.....
By this time a Robin come over where the Red Winged Blackbirds were to check out the situation! Robin birds are pretty much bullies !! They rather feel that everything is their business! Of course they back off when bigger birds then them are around however the blackbirds are not bigger then they are.
As our Muskrat was in the cattails I started watching the birds more. Jumping down getting drinks and heading back up to their perching spot. The male Red Wing showing off all his color as he screams for attention. The Robin bird trying to scare him out of his spot..... dint happen by the way! I also at this time heard hawks, well Harriers perhaps. This is where I typically see them and they make drive by's. Though I have seen my share of eagles out here. Though this was a hawk. Fact was, it was a Red Tailed Hawk soaring way up high. Circling, riding the wave until I could not see it or hear it any longer.
Keeping a eye on where the Muskrat is.... something is at that spot, for the Muskrat did not move from there! All I could see is it's butt, or um rear end for our younger readers! AND I waited.....
I wait a lot by the way!! Thinking most of my life is waiting! Of course I just can not get my lens in there to see what the Muskrat is doing, thus I think it is waiting when actually it is just a time laps for I have no clue of what is going on and I want to know, so I wait! Why I also do not wear any type of watch, or carry a time piece.... That is a stress I just dont need in my life. Since my sibling took my Cinderella watch did I think time should hold so much control over us. Or was it a Snow White, I think it was Snow White come to think of it.... I was always one to think about why folks do what they do. Hey, I wonder how much that watch would go for these days? MMMM, might just be neat to see one of those now a days. Ok back to the Muskrat!
The wait was finally over!! Went by pretty quickly. I had things to think about and other creatures to watch while I waited, and waited.
WHAM with delight and rather a proud look on the Muskrats disposition, I found out what on earth the Muskrat was doing!!
The Muskrat was cutting this down! Well chewing it down! Thank goodness we have a thumb right?
Looks like a pretty good piece of something to eat there doesn't it? If that is you are a Muskrat! Some nice bark, perhaps a bug or more within the bark! Yum Yum ha!
Now to get the piece of wood to go where the Muskrat wants it to go! Some folks say critters are not real smart..... I dont know about that!? We have watched this Muskrat use up a lot of energy to get this piece of wood into the water, so that piece of wood must be pretty darn important!
Off "she", goes with the piece of wood to her desired destination. This Muskrat disappeared where I could no longer observe what the Muskrat was doing.
I did make my way over to that spot, and seen it was built up of many pieces of wood! Though I dont know for sure, however I am wondering if this Muskrat had young and was taking this piece of wood to the young to chew on?? Or for this Muskrat to chew on later?? Or just to repair the nest as Beavers do??
Thank you for coming by and spending time with me and the Muskrat! Check out my other photography at mrsroadrunner.com . I do sale my photography so I can head out and observe our off the beat and path places here in Oregon! Facebook fan page (give a like??), of course Twitter .
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Mrsroadrunner Photography | The Golden-Crowned Sparrow in Need
Mrsroadrunner Photography | The Golden-Crowned Sparrow in Need
This is the Golden-Crowned Sparrow. Biggest sparrow we have here and we have big flocks of them at times here at the house. Beautiful song comes from these song birds!!
The Golden-Crowned Sparrows are also a smart species, like all sparrows I guess? Seen at bird feeders, or gardens looking for that something to eat as the one in the photograph is doing at one of our little ponds. I watch these sparrows quite a lot for they are one of the common birds here at the house.
Some of you who keep up with my twitter or facebook page may remember a hurt one who I found inside the house? This flock has watched my morning routine and learned where I keep the bird seed at, and learned the door is kept open for the dogs to come and go. The dogs have been taught from puppyhood that birds are left alone. With this said some birds actually steal food from the dogs bucket inside the house or outside the house! Never have actually hurt one of these birds after they had grown up. So the birds do what birds do, and as soon as they see me they take off. The dogs do get to come and go as they please.
I have a lot of cages around!! So many more in the past, but I do not need them now. Heck I even had custom cages made up one time. There is one bird cage outside, this cage was used as a carrying cage for my parrot who passed on. Now this cage is a table for a large flower pot that in winter time the flower seeds are wintering within the soil.
Yesterday my Australian shepherd was acting funny. Well, this is not a new thing with her. She is rather funny! This was not the normal "funny". Something was wrong..... We who pay attention to critters know when they are saying, hey something wrong here!!
I followed my little girl as she went into the snow and stopped. It was getting on evening and gosh it was cold with no boots or even socks on. I was not dressed to go outside! However, it looked like I was going to have to get more cloths on then what I had!
I finally heard then seen what my little girl was trying to tell me! A young Golden-Crowned Sparrow somehow got into my parrot carrying cage!! Mind you this cage is not made for little birds. The wire is to wide. So how on earth did this Golden-Crowned Sparrow get into this cage??
With the frantic chirping and the obvious distress of this little wild Golden Crowned Sparrow was in I had to do something!! I really had no idea how long this bird had been trapped in this cage? I did notice all the birds went real quiet , so the only bird making any noise was this Golden Crowned Sparrow.
I went inside and got some sweats on and did not bother with my boots. I was not going to be outside that long! Since I have not used this cage for a cage but for a table for the potted plant for so long I did not realize where the door was to open the cage? I did find it and opened it up! The Golden Crowned Sparrow took off like a flash of light!! FREEDOM!
How on earth that bird got into this cage with no open doors is anyone's guess? Perhaps there is a spot within the cage that is wider then the rest of the cage?? I went and left the door open just in case this happens again! At least the little bird was out of the snow in the cage...... and my little girl aussie has common sense to let me know when something is wrong within our world.
Wild critters can get themselves into situations all by themselves, well our pets can too!!
Thank you for coming by and reading our little experience last night here in the High Desert of Oregon!
This is the Golden-Crowned Sparrow. Biggest sparrow we have here and we have big flocks of them at times here at the house. Beautiful song comes from these song birds!!
The Golden-Crowned Sparrows are also a smart species, like all sparrows I guess? Seen at bird feeders, or gardens looking for that something to eat as the one in the photograph is doing at one of our little ponds. I watch these sparrows quite a lot for they are one of the common birds here at the house.
Some of you who keep up with my twitter or facebook page may remember a hurt one who I found inside the house? This flock has watched my morning routine and learned where I keep the bird seed at, and learned the door is kept open for the dogs to come and go. The dogs have been taught from puppyhood that birds are left alone. With this said some birds actually steal food from the dogs bucket inside the house or outside the house! Never have actually hurt one of these birds after they had grown up. So the birds do what birds do, and as soon as they see me they take off. The dogs do get to come and go as they please.
I have a lot of cages around!! So many more in the past, but I do not need them now. Heck I even had custom cages made up one time. There is one bird cage outside, this cage was used as a carrying cage for my parrot who passed on. Now this cage is a table for a large flower pot that in winter time the flower seeds are wintering within the soil.
Yesterday my Australian shepherd was acting funny. Well, this is not a new thing with her. She is rather funny! This was not the normal "funny". Something was wrong..... We who pay attention to critters know when they are saying, hey something wrong here!!
I followed my little girl as she went into the snow and stopped. It was getting on evening and gosh it was cold with no boots or even socks on. I was not dressed to go outside! However, it looked like I was going to have to get more cloths on then what I had!
I finally heard then seen what my little girl was trying to tell me! A young Golden-Crowned Sparrow somehow got into my parrot carrying cage!! Mind you this cage is not made for little birds. The wire is to wide. So how on earth did this Golden-Crowned Sparrow get into this cage??
With the frantic chirping and the obvious distress of this little wild Golden Crowned Sparrow was in I had to do something!! I really had no idea how long this bird had been trapped in this cage? I did notice all the birds went real quiet , so the only bird making any noise was this Golden Crowned Sparrow.
I went inside and got some sweats on and did not bother with my boots. I was not going to be outside that long! Since I have not used this cage for a cage but for a table for the potted plant for so long I did not realize where the door was to open the cage? I did find it and opened it up! The Golden Crowned Sparrow took off like a flash of light!! FREEDOM!
How on earth that bird got into this cage with no open doors is anyone's guess? Perhaps there is a spot within the cage that is wider then the rest of the cage?? I went and left the door open just in case this happens again! At least the little bird was out of the snow in the cage...... and my little girl aussie has common sense to let me know when something is wrong within our world.
Wild critters can get themselves into situations all by themselves, well our pets can too!!
Thank you for coming by and reading our little experience last night here in the High Desert of Oregon!
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