Many varieties of colorful wildflowers in bloom.

Early vibrant butterflies flitting from flower to flower.

Bald eagles, ravens and red-tailed hawks riding the thermals near the towering rimrock cliffs, looking for the next meal to catch.

Pretty blue skies seemingly stretching forever.

The remnants of a stretch of old road chiseled out of the cliffs, a short-lived experiment to use convicts for construction work a century ago.

Almost the end of winter.

The seven-mile loop hike east of Lyle was a beauty.

Stopping at the site of the long-removed cherry orchard, I met the hiking group from the Multnomah Athletic Club. Always a pleasure to see others enjoying the outdoors.