Tag: wildlife

Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge ~ Bighorn Sheep

I just got back from spending three glorious days on the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge in Eastern Oregon.  My cousin from Bend met me in Plush which acted as our base camp. The Refuge was wonderful and teeming with wildlife. We were extremely lucky to run into a herd of California Bighorn Rams before we even got to the Refuge proper. There were about 17 rams altogether hanging out at lower elevations near water. We were able to get quite close to them and take some photographs. We ran into this same herd on the way back to Plush.

The Hart Mountain California Bighorn herds have been used to repopulate Bighorn Sheep in many areas of Oregon and the west where the sheep have disappeared or are in decline. It was a thrill to see them up close like this.

The landscape photo shows you the terrain we found the Sheep hanging out in.

Hope you enjoy the photos as well.

After Christmas, Along the River

After Christmas, it felt good to get out into the brisk, and I do mean brisk, it was 12 degrees out this morning at sun up. I stopped several places along the river and found deer and a variety of birds. I am not the greatest at identifying birds but I do believe this is a great horned owl, a red tailed hawk and a white crested sparrow and maybe a purple finch. I added a better photo of the owl that I took last May in the exact same spot. Saw some mule deer too which is always a nice bonus.

Wildlife

11-18-2011:  For me wildlife photography has been largely a collection of happy accidents. I go out to take photos of something specific and am fortunate enough to happen upon animals doing their thing. It seems as if I purposefully go out the opportunities elude me. Lately though, I have been finding quiet spots to hide in and wait and have been rewarded for my patience. I have also startled and been startled by coyotes and deer where we both frightened each other by not being aware of each other’s presence. It can be a bit frightening to hear something crashing through the brush and not be sure what it is until the last-minute. My luck is holding so far with no mountain lions or bears bursting out of the brush. Fingers crossed… : )

11-29-2011: I have discovered a couple of really good places to find deer. So now my photos are no longer happy accidents but have become a deliberate obsession. Stalking and finding deer, especially big bucks has become an all-consuming passion. I think of the photos with big racks as a type of porn. Antler porn!; and it is a pretty addictive activity for me.