Malheur Day 2, April 30, 2010

One of the really fun things about going out with others who have wildlife experience is learning where to find certain birds. Birds are very territorial, and in some cases will spend time in the same area for decades. That is the case with a family of Great Horned Owls who have inhabited the willow grove at Fields Oasis in remote southeastern Oregon.

Fields is a gas station, four unit motel and cafe with the best hamburgers and milkshakes ever! Across the road from the gas station is a spring that I am sure was the reason for the settlement in the first place. It is surrounded by nothing for miles and miles. It is in the willow grove surrounding the spring that the owls live.

As long as you are careful, the mother doesn't get too agitated when you approach, and although they are a bit tough to photograph because of the dense foliage, you are really pretty close.


We started out taking some pictures from a ways away, and then gradually got up a bit closer.





The chicks were awake much of the time we were there, but mom was all but oblivious to us as long as we didn't get too close. The nest was about 15 feet up in a tree, well hidden by leaves and sticks, and easily defended from predators. There were 4 babies in the nest, and we never saw the male. He was probably roosting nearby, but we couldn't find him.





Our trip to Fields started at the historic Frenchglen Hotel. This is another oasis in the desert that has been around for 150 years. It serves the most amazing chicken dinner with a salad that is out of this world. All you can eat for $20. The birding around the area is pretty amazing. One of my favorites is the White Faced Ibis. There are gigantic flocks of them in the wetlands that are all along the roads to the north and east of Frenchglen.



It is incredible to see this huge billed bird, and think about it's cousins around the world. The Sacred Ibis in Africa, the Glossy in Florida, etc. All of them are very gregarious and fun to watch.

The following video was taken with the D90. Although not nearly as fast as the D3, it is really fun to have video when birds are active.




I have been working on my technique for flight shots. These are a real challenge for me since I don't have the eyesight I used to and therefore have to trust the camera to do the focusing for me. I am getting better however and love it when I get one.





I love birds!