A beautiful day on the east side of the Cascade Mountains.
I was on the way to Colorado Rapids, a scenic stretch of the Deschutes River and a well-known location to rafters and steelheaders.
As I hiked the three mile trail along the River, the smells and sights were surreal. The warm sunshine was bringing out the lilting songs of little birds, a palette of colors of blooming wildflowers, a variety of butterflies and even a snake or two.
After a nice lunch (maybe a little nap too) I ascended to a rails-to-trail above the River and then an enjoyable climb to Ferry Springs. Odd to hear a chorus of frogs in the desert country.
Springtime on the east side of the Columbia River Gorge – – – it lifts the spirit like nothing else.
And, thanks to Matthew Shepherd at the Xerces Society for help with the insects. Several of the butterflies were rare for Oregon.
White-crowned Sparrow
A natural arch
Canada Goose getting airborne
Gromwell
Deschutes flowing into the Columbia River
An old rock fence near the Deschutes River
Indra Swallowtail Butterfly (An uncommon species. This is as far northwest as it gets in Oregon.)
Bumblebee on a Balsamroot
Columnar Basalt
Song Sparrow
Colorado Rapids
Mourning Cloak Butterfly (what a face)
In another couple of months the hills will be brown
Large Garter Snake hiding in the grass
Black-capped Chickadee
Phlox
Balsamroot and Lupine
Bumblebee knee deep in pollen
Windmills across the Columbia River in Washington State
Painted Lady Butterfly (They don’t overwinter in Oregon, so this one probably has flown all the way from Southern California or Arizona.)
Prairie Stars
Bouquet of golden Balsamroots among the Sagebrush
Deschutes River Canyon with the Rails-to Trail above
Great wildlife photos, John. You have an eye to find and to photograph them. That snake shot is terrific.
Thanks Debbie. I have a soft spot for colorful butterflies and little birds with their enjoyable songs. And, like you, I’m really enjoying the wildflower displays on the east side of the Columbia River Gorge this year.
Great shots, John. The Indra Swallowtail is a beauty!
What a surprise! I’m used to seeing the Swallowtails with much more yellow. It caught my attention in a flash. By the way, the butterflies ought to be showing up in your neck of the woods too.