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May 3, 2026May 2, 2026

Tail Waters

We spend a lot of time on rivers. Usually Spring brings a rise in water levels. There is always a period ahead of this surge as temperatures warm and fishing is good.

Then one settles in to wait for run off to end and river flows to return to a fishable level.

Seemed to be casting knots rather than flies.

The Crooked River is a tail-water, meaning it flows out of a dam, which also means that the levels are more regulated. This bit of control has a positive effect on late spring run-off.

This year’s minimal snowpack means there will be a marginal rise to levels. It will become a problem in September when the reservoir dries up, but for now it makes for good fishing.

Caddis flies are food for Buntings as well

This week’s trip to the river was not particularly productive on the fishing side.

There is a Caddis fly hatch timed for the first part of May . . . Mother’s Day Caddis . . . which is just getting started. So maybe next week.

Lark Bunting, known for their flight displays and song

There was a marked increase in bird activity. Of course the Canada Geese and a variety of ducks bobbed in the water and settled on the banks.

We also got to watch a Kingfisher fishing. We added a new species to the list. Though not unusual for the area . . . a Lazuli Bunting was spotted and regaled us with song.

Sighted, also, was the Methuselah of butterflies, a Mourning Cloak in fringed black, was sunning in the willows.

This species overwinters, living for up to ten months which is a couple of lifetimes for a regular butterfly.

Warmer mornings are on tap for the future and the forecast is partly cloudy at worst.

The heat of summer will be on us all too soon, but for now we continue to take advantage of these beautiful spring days.

April 26, 2026April 25, 2026

Just Another Week

There was a noticeable absence of media coverage for Earth Day 2026. As advocates for wild spaces this was not unexpected . . .

but still . . .

Federal support is being systematically reduced and eliminated and that should be a red flag.

American White Pelican

We’d like to encourage readers of this blog to engage in a bit of keyboard advocacy supporting wildlife and wild places.

It’s actually easy and effective to write your representative, their connections are a browser search away.

Our week was very low key.

Summer colds and house projects took up most of our energy. Lists of books read really isn’t blog post worthy. Neither is writing about what was accomplished.

Tip, 14 years old this month and an excellent travel companion

We’re pretty sure you aren’t interested in what got checked off a ‘to-do list’. Understandable . . . we managed to use the time to re-energize.

Of course we did work in a trip to the river. The fishing was not that great, but weather was perfect, lots of birds flying round. Mostly we sat by the river and relaxed. It was nice.

April 19, 2026April 19, 2026

. . . and, it Snowed

The scene of Tip’s early morning jaunt one April morning

After days of near summer-like weather, we woke to a half-inch of snow. That’s how our week started.

It’s not like we don’t expect some cold and wet days in April, we would prefer it not include snow. Fortunately it was gone by afternoon. But still . . .

Our soup is back in supply on pantry shelves.

While the weather is stormy, we have been completing “at home” projects, like canning, baking, and touch-up painting. That means furniture moving, pulling art off the walls, and in many cases rearranging.

In this house, cleaning results in a series of messes shifting between spaces, until we finally move a pile to the donation bin.

Winter’s cold fingers warmed by mid-week and we decided to take a break from all this housework. We went for a drive.

We have not been to Maupin in quite a while, so we headed north to the Deschutes Canyon.

The Deschutes River Canyon, upstream of Shears Falls

Seems like in Oregon all the good rivers are cut into basalt canyons . . . that’s a good thing.

Spring has started to take hold on the Deschutes. There is noticeable green clinging to the hillsides, occasionally dotted with the yellow of early wildflower blooms.

We saw a couple of herons and of course Canada Geese and a variety of ducks, in and along the river.

Tip’s lunch features his favorite, slices of pastrami, followed by a selection of dog biscuits.

We set up camp chairs, pulled out the picnic, strung a rod, and enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon along the Deschutes.

It seems that Central Oregon weather has moved on toward summer and we are making plans to do more of these kinds of longer outings.

April 12, 2026April 18, 2026

April Sunshine

It was my birthday this week . . . thus we did birthday stuff all week. And by that I mean, we hit the river every other day. The weather was very cooperative.

American Kestrel also called American Sparrowhawk

Days still start cold, but the sun quickly warms the day.

We spent our time this week sitting on the Crooked River and it required no more than a thin sweater.

Turkey Vulture

American Kestrel

Spring will advance to summer quickly on the high desert. However, we’ve got a few weeks where fresh green runs high up the canyon’s walls.

The wildflowers are just starting to show some color. Waterfowl have started to pair off, swim and fly in larger numbers.

These are quiet days on the Crooked. Camping season hasn’t started and school hasn’t ended. We’re taking full advantage.

Spring will also mean a trip to Summer Lake and judging by the increase in bird activity, timing is right.

There isn’t the usual snow pack, so we’ll access the Cascades earlier this year.

Expeditions are filling out the calendar, but for now we’ll enjoy a slice of birthday cake and watch the ducks paddle around in the river.

April 5, 2026April 18, 2026

April Showers

This week the rain settled in over Central Oregon, at times mixed with flakes of snow.

Then Thursday morning we woke to half an inch on the front walk. Not so unusual for a High Desert April, but still.

Also typical in Central Oregon is the sun’s return to mitigate the drizzle. Often the shift is within minutes of the other.

We managed to complete the pergola painting ahead of ‘winter’s’ brief return.

Chimney Rock Campground has an impressive canyon wall

One warmish and sunny day we drove a loop through the Crooked River Canyon.

Expecting wet weather we prepared for rain, but didn’t bring the picnic basket or fishing gear.

A herd of mule deer forded the river just below a spot we’d pulled over to grab some photos for this blog.

A sign the seasons are shifting was increased activity along the Crooked River.

The green is appearing to come back into the canyon walls. Willow buds and wildflowers have starting to show color in the riparian.

We were serenaded from a rock outcropping by a pair of Canada Geese blasting what seemed like a distress call.

Over what? We never determined, but we did eventually see them fly downstream.

There were a few different species of duck ferrying up and down the river, most in flocks of 8 or 10.

Seems they are getting ready to find a mate, nest and rear fledglings.

A recent update at Chimney Rock Campground put in some great walking trails

We actually pulled into a few different sites on the drive down to Prineville. Few people on the stream or in the camp sites made it a perfect time to scout new stopping points.

The day was topped off with a Tastee Treet cheese burger and fries before heading back home to projects still waiting.