Fotos / Sonidos
Observ.
watershedeventsDescripción
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.
Fotos / Sonidos
Qué
Pinzón Mexicano (Haemorhous mexicanus)Observ.
watershedeventsDescripción
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:
Qué
Tecolote del Oeste (Megascops kennicottii)Observ.
watershedeventsDescripción
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.
Fotos / Sonidos
Qué
Aguililla Cola Roja (Buteo jamaicensis)Observ.
watershedeventsDescripción
Think this may be an immature bird, but not sure. Almost certain it's a red tail, however.
Qué
Ortigas Hediondas Y Parientes (Género Stachys)Observ.
watershedeventsDescripción
Square stem, reddish in color and hairy. Probably some kind of a mint. Slight acrid odor from crushed leaves.
Qué
Tyria jacobaeaeObserv.
watershedeventsDescripción
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.
Qué
Ibis Ojos Rojos (Plegadis chihi)Observ.
watershedeventsFecha
Septiembre 15, 2011Descripción
Basing this description on Sibley's Field Guide to Birds of Western North America.
Qué
Pipa de Indio (Monotropa uniflora)Observ.
watershedeventsDescripción
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.
Qué
Bejori de Cerca Occidental (Sceloporus occidentalis)Observ.
watershedeventsFecha
Septiembre 13, 2011Descripción
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!
Observ.
watershedeventsDescripción
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.
Qué
Género PrionyxObserv.
watershedeventsDescripción
I think this must be some kind of gall wasp but I am unsure.
Qué
Cangrejo Fantasma Pálido (Ocypode pallidula)Observ.
watershedeventsDescripción
About 7mm and extremely agile. Dozens of them active along the tide line that day.
Qué
Rana-de Coro del Pacífico (Pseudacris regilla)Observ.
watershedeventsDescripción
Pacific Chorus Frog - Psuedocaris regilla found near Wickenham Crossing on the John Day River in the John Day Basin, Oregon.