306,000 words

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so today, I guess my photo trip was worth 306,000 words!  (that’s 306 pictures for those mathematically challenged  :))  But, not to worry, after an afternoon editing, I whittled it down to 59.  No, I’m not posting all 59 tonight either, but will choose a few to pepper my post with.  I had to save some for those rainy days, don’t you know.
As Emma and I headed down Sodhouse Lane to Oregon 205, I noticed something in the middle of the road that flew up into the rocks.  It turned out to be a rough-legged hawk.  What an auspicious beginning to a morning’s drive.  :)
To begin with, I was headed for the Narrows pullout where Malheur and Harney lakes meet.  It’s hard to consider them lakes as we normally think of them.  They are really two vast marshes that meet at a narrows.  There were quite a few black-necked stilts at the narrows.  The youngster is in the foreground, with the adult at the top.  The adult was really making a lot of noise!
Lots of white-faced ibis were flying over as well.  Gangly looking things, aren’t they?
I then back tracked about ten miles to Buena Vista Overlook to take the first half of the auto tour route in reverse order.  It was a nicely paved OR 205 to get there, and then a gravelly drive back to the rig.  You always see things in a different perspective when you reverse your normal route.  :)
What a nice ten point mule deer buck we saw as we drove the gravel road!  It looked like he was starting to rub off some of that velvet from his antlers.  I guess fall is on the way.  Be careful, buddy, it won’t be long before the hunters will be looking for you!
Another sign that summer is on the wane is the rusty color of the marsh grasses.  Just a short time ago they were a lush green.  What a striking contrast it provided…eye candy for sure. 
I’ll try not to overwhelm you with bird photos while I’m here, but I can’t promise.  This refuge is all about the birds, you know.  :)   These are two Northern shovelers.  Can you guess where they get their name?  They use that massive bill to strain plankton and seeds from the water.  I guess the one in the back wasn’t too happy about having her picture taken, and let me know about it.
There was also a young Ruddy duck on one of the ponds.  Those white dots on him are water droplets.  Ruddy’s are diving ducks, and this young one was already good at under water swimming.  If this is a male, next spring his body will be a very rusty red color with a great white patch on his cheek, and a blue bill!  I’ll save the other bird pictures for a later post, so please stay tuned.  :)

As we arrived back at the RV pads, I had to make a sudden swerve with the car.
This charming three foot long reptile was making it’s way across the road.
I don’t know what kind of snake this is, but I’m glad I didn’t run it over!  I’d much rather have snakes around the RV pads, than miserable rodents in the rig!  :)

Thanks for stopping by….talk to you later,  Judy