Nature – Page 2

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.

March 22, 2026April 18, 2026

It Sure Feels like Spring

OK . . . going to call it. Winter is over.

The aspen tree has buds. We’ve had a week of 60 degree days, and a robin showed up at the feeder. All signs that spring has sprung.

We’re not so naive to think a winter storm isn’t possible, but at this point it appears unlikely.

The week has been busy with errands, but we made time for a trip to the river. It’s very spring-like in the Crooked River Canyon these days.

The river is fishing very well, so that brings a lot of people. Also, there has been an increase in wildlife among the willows and junipers.

Those rowdy Magpies are back, though not yet at last year’s force, but then its still early.

While the Magpies were making a racket in the juniper trees, on the far bank a pair of Kingfishers were scouting for a meal.

When you look at Kingfishers it’s easy to see why people believe birds evolved from dinosaurs.

Warmer weather brings better fishing. The water doesn’t seem to be much warmer, but it only takes a few degrees to stir life into the aquatic insects.

We managed to hook up quite a few more fish than our typical winter outing . . . although we didn’t have any dry fly action.

The week ahead is forecast with warmer days, so we’re increasing planned excursions.

This week there was a 20 acre fire (debris burn got out of hand) about a mile from our house. As we monitored evacuation notices, we couldn’t help wonder how bad this year’s fire season might actually be.

That said, we are focused on getting in as much outdoor time as possible before air quality gets bad and closures begin.

March 8, 2026April 18, 2026

Watchers

Flicker waiting his turn at the suet block

As noted in an earlier post, we’ve erected a bird feeding station outside the office window.

Erected is a good descriptor as it is a multi-piece metal pole, driven into the ground. with a tray and two arms attached.

In the ensuing months a slew of feathered critters have discovered it , as well as one, well perhaps two, large gray squirrels.

We spend a portion of each day pecking away at keyboards and moving media files around.

This circus of avian activity presents a calming break from re-reads and edits. So of course we directed cameras at the action. Finches, juncos and chickadees flit in and out of the tray, staging runs from the branches of the adjacent aspen tree.

Morning Dove getting breakfast on the patio

There is a covey of mourning doves that make regular stops. These chubby little buggers hunker down and take possession of the space.

A mesh bag filled with thistle seed was hung for finches and for the chickadees, a suet feeder.

That suet feeder got heavy use from a pair of flickers who, it appears, were just passing through. There is also an occasional visit from a nuthatch.

Then, the other night our security camera caught some four legged visitors. They seemed interested in the suet, which fortunately was out of their reach.

As for the squirrel . . .

Well, their leaps from aspen to feeder aren’t as delicate as the junco’s, but just as entertaining.

While sitting with a mug of hot tea, working away at a video or a blog post, it’s great fun watching the antics just outside our window.

March 1, 2026April 18, 2026

Winter Refuge

The perfect spot for shore birds . . . except this day

Winter may actually come to Central Oregon in the next couple of weeks, but at the moment it feels more like spring (false spring to be honest).

With a break in the weather, we decided to take a drive over to the wildlife refuge at Summer Lake. There’s no anticipation of great birding,

It’s between migrations. However, the sun was out, the roads were dry, and we really needed a road trip.

Summer Lake, even in the winter, has some avian population. After all, there are year-round residents, just not many. The draw this time of year, well anytime of year, is the quiet solitude.

You hear wind in the reeds, water bubbling between canals and the occasional bird song. Most of the time there are no other humans around.

Hunting season is over so the loop gate is open allowing access to the eastern dike road. This narrow track, literally the width of the dike, runs between two ponds that always have at least a thin layer of water.

This is also a stretch that on most days would have a variety of shore birds; Stilts, Avocets, Dippers and the like . . . not this day.

We got the scope on a couple of hawks, Red Tails, we think. They were a distant challenge, even for the spotting scope.

There was a bevy of swans, paired up, but still too early for cygnets. There were plenty of ducks and a couple gaggles of geese.

Wildlife was keeping a distance from humans and cars. That’s fine . . . we were there to take in the day.

The telephoto lens and spotting scope offered plenty of opportunity to watch the action. It does make us more anxious for the spring migration to start.

We definitely will be back . . . Summer Lake is our refuge as well.