Simply Nature

dawn meditation pronghorn antelope (click on image for larger size) location: hart mountain season: fall backstory: i am enamored of pronghorns.  the colors. the horns. their speed and agility. their ability to survive. and, especially the eyes. the eyes go deep. pronghorn coloration blends in with the high desert country to perfection.  while i'm fond of the earth tones of rock, hills, and mountains, dawn and/or sunset golden hour light on these animals is breathtakingly beautiful. the fastest land mammal in north america (second only to the african cheetah worldwide), pronghorns can run from 35 - 65 mph. for 1-4 miles. watching a dozen does fly across the open country around hart mountain is wonderful to see. they turn and maneuver as a group with ballet-like precision. of 12 similar species from 12,000 to 2 million years ago, pronghorns are the only survivors. they can eat high desert plants that other animals find toxic. their vision extends 320 degrees, which might help e...

wild mare and colt south steens herd (click on image for larger size) location: steens mountain       season: spring       backstory: this is from one of my first adventures into the steens mountain area. friends had mentioned herds of wild horses in the area and i was curious to see them in their natural range. it had been a very cold and snowy winter.  this was the first truly warm spring day and the desert enthusiastically responded. snow melt provided moist earth for plants to absorb.  a warm sage filled breeze gently blew. the sky cleared it's winter dull gray, sunlight was brighter and noticeably warmer. and the mares with new colts were taking it all in. exploring this area throughout the seasons has given me a great appreciation for creatures, plants and trees that live here. summer is brutally hot; winter bone chilling cold, windy and deep snow. fall can be lovely, although often short as winter comes early. ...

nourishment osprey family   (click on image for larger size) location: kimberly, oregon season: early summer backstory: osprey seem to tolerate humans a little more than other raptors. their nests can be easier to see, possibly because they prefer being close to a river. i've found several nests while kayaking down the north fork john day river from 20 miles east of dale to kimberly (about 60 river miles) where it joins the main stem of the river. this scene was after spending a lovely day kayaking, then returning by rig with camera gear. i don't take the expensive gear in the kayak. with this, and the other osprey photos, i often spend several days at the nests, watching their daily life, the comings and goings.  sometimes they tolerate me, other times they don't. this opportunity unfolded after a lovely early summer day.  spring green and growth transitioning to summer.  pleasantly warm into the evening sunset. watching a nest like this can be a very meditative pr...

taking wing three forks (click on image for full screen) location: owyhee canyonlands season: spring backstory:  landscape scenes are my primary calling to photograph.  especially big panoramic vistas, endless sky, throw in some snow or moonlight (or both) and i am enchanted.  sometimes, while framing a scene, wildlife wander in front of the lens.  that was the case with this photo.  this was my first trek into the deep southeast corner of oregon; 40+ miles south and a little east of rome. the dirt ranch road was mostly dry, although someone had driven it recently when it was quite muddy.  some of the ruts, gashes approaching ravines, were up to 24" deep and went on for miles. bad things can happen when unintentionally sliding into those ruts. i was very grateful it wasn't me slogging  through that muck a few days earlier.  it was slow going while straddling the ruts and looking for ways around boggy spots. (i've mentioned this in several posts an...

  regal presence ferruginous hawk three forks (click on image for larger size)   location: owyhee canyonlands season: spring backstory: raptors have a presence unlike many other wildlife i've seen in the high desert. we can see it in the eyes.  they are alert, constantly scanning and aware of a large area around them. their clarity and distance of vision is outstanding. this photo is one of several of a ferruginous hawk; see  taking wing & raptor's cry. each of these photos reflects an aspect of this powerful bird's personality. in the moment, it seemed as if this hawk was posing, much like a royal prince would for a portrait. it felt regal, fully aware of it's strength and power within the realm. there is little that it misses with that powerful gaze. it is a confident and self assured being that knows it's place in nature.   ps - after writing this, i learned that the latin name is buteo regalis - royal hawk .  (return to simply nature portfolio sit...

click on image for full screen signs of spring sandhill cranes (click on image for larger size) location: harney county season: spring backstory: before moving to this area i had never seen or heard of sandhill cranes.  there is something about their personality, so... strong.  in this area you know spring is on the way when you can hear their very distinctive calling way high in the sky as they migrate.  on the ground, when they call, they stretch their necks straight up.  fascinating. they fly in formation with great precision. sandhills also have a very elaborate mating dance. this scene is part of the bird migratory path through harney county, that includes the malheur wildlife refuge. it is such a joy when driving through a fairly barren and desolate high desert to crest a ridge and see these amazing creatures. there is something deeply intriguing about the red area around the golden eyes.  (return to simply nature portfolio site )