Photos / Sounds
What
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)Observer
jdroseDescription
This House Finch feeds regularly at the feeder just outside the back patio door. Most often he seems accompanied by the brownish colored female of the species.
Photos / Sounds
What
Striped Slant-faced Grasshopper (Amphitornus coloradus)Observer
jdroseDescription
I suppose this must be a juvenile. But I'm not knowledgeable enough about grasshoppers to know that, or what type it may be.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)Observer
jdroseDescription
While feeding, this bird kept its meal cloaked with its wings fanned out around it, very aware of its vulnerability at not being able to lift the heavy prize to a more protected area.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus)Observer
jdroseDescription
I observed a bird feeding several chicks over a few days while camped on the Metolius. The nest was placed so clear views of the bird were difficult and a challenge to certain identification.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Raven (Corvus corax)Observer
jdroseDescription
I can't bring myself to call these spectacular birds "common", whatever the reasoning. Up at over 8,000 feet in the Mtns. these birds were gathering in numbers well over several dozen and riding the autumn thermals together, as a group, like surfers waiting for the next swell. They would gather in a ravine and when the wind would come, the calls would begin and they would rush out, all together, to meet the upwelling breezes in what could only be called plain old fun! Then back to the ravine waiting to do it all over, again and again and again.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)Observer
jdroseDescription
Sunning on a rock with a very dark shade all over the top of this specimen's body.
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)Observer
jdroseDescription
This bird walked slowly, carefully, and stared down as it moved forward before darting down with its beak to grab...a frog? I could not make it out, but its in one of the photos
Photos / Sounds
What
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)Observer
jdroseDescription
This bird was consuming a fish that was freshly caught from the Crooked River waters above which it perched. It was its favorite hunting(and dining) locale. It was having great success throughout the day, as were other osprey and several Great Blue Herons also hunting the shallow waters there.
Photos / Sounds
What
Desert Hairy Scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis)Observer
jdroseDescription
Moderate temps in the early Feb. evening with a dozen or more to find with UV light within 100 yds. of camp. some very small specimens, 1/2 inch or less, and exact replicas of their older cousins. The largest I found is shown with a quarter for scale.
Photos / Sounds
What
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)Observer
jdroseDescription
Some nearby springs must attract these types of insects. the desert air didn't seem to bother this specimen as it balanced around my camp for quite some time.
Photos / Sounds
What
California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi)Observer
jdroseDescription
This pair seemed quite well acquainted with each other and appeared to be on lookout duty
