Photos / Sounds
What
Anthrenus lepidusObserver
watershedeventsDescription
Took this in the Sutton Mountain WSA, an area near the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Monument. About the size of a lady bug, which is what I first thought it might be. Never got to see the head - flew off while I was trying to make a lens change to my macro. My guess is that it is a type of carpet beetle, but I'm not at all sure. I'd also like to know what kind of tree/bush we are looking at here. This was growing in a dry stream bed at the bottom of a ravine.
Photos / Sounds
What
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)Observer
watershedeventsDescription
Large finch-like bird with large beak and odd coloration on head and back. In spite of its larger size it was easily run-off by the smaller finches, chickadees and sparrows that were at the feeder. I'm guessing that it is a pretty common bird (house finch?) with mutated plumage.
Here's that promised second shot:
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii)Observer
watershedeventsDescription
Sleeping - or at least dozing - in an old wood duck box. The box was attached to a big Doug fir just a dozen yards or so away from the Tualatin River. Pretty sure it was a screech owl, but would appreciate confirmation from a more accomplished birder.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)Observer
watershedeventsDescription
Think this may be an immature bird, but not sure. Almost certain it's a red tail, however.
Photos / Sounds
What
Hedgenettles (Genus Stachys)Observer
watershedeventsDescription
Square stem, reddish in color and hairy. Probably some kind of a mint. Slight acrid odor from crushed leaves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae)Observer
watershedeventsDescription
Butterfly or moth. Black or dark blue on back when wings folded, bright red or orange when in flight. Underside of lower wings bright orange or red with black borders and 2 distinct red spots on tips of each wing. Doesn't look much like a butterfly or moth at rest, but when in flight it does.
Photos / Sounds
What
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)Observer
watershedeventsDescription
Basing this description on Sibley's Field Guide to Birds of Western North America.
Photos / Sounds
What
Ghost Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)Observer
watershedeventsDescription
Herbaceous, parasitic (apparently feeds on a specific group of fungi. Abundant in the deep shade along both eastern and western exposures of the trail on Humbug Mountain.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)Observer
watershedeventsDescription
Female I am pretty sure as there was not a trace of blue on her anywhere that I could see. Very curious and not at all firghtened until I chased her around her rock a few times. Basing this call on photos I found at www.californiaherps.com. Also influenced by James3 comments below. Next time I will try to make some physical observations rather than relying on the photos. Thanks for all the help!
Photos / Sounds
What
Oregon Gentian (Gentiana affinis var. ovata)Observer
watershedeventsDescription
Low growing flowering plant in an area also populated with Indian Paint Brush. Suspect it is a type of Penstemon but cannot make a positive ID.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus PrionyxObserver
watershedeventsDescription
I think this must be some kind of gall wasp but I am unsure.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pallid Ghost Crab (Ocypode pallidula)Observer
watershedeventsDescription
About 7mm and extremely agile. Dozens of them active along the tide line that day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pacific Chorus Frog (Pseudacris regilla)Observer
watershedeventsDescription
Pacific Chorus Frog - Psuedocaris regilla found near Wickenham Crossing on the John Day River in the John Day Basin, Oregon.
