In early spring I returned to the east side of the Columbia River Gorge to do a little hiking, and photography. The first destination was the Dufur area, and later the Columbia Hills State Park.
The lower hillsides were beginning to show a few golden flowers of arrow-leaf balsamroot. Get ready! – – – The big wild flower show will occur in a few weeks.
At higher elevations, blacktail deer and wild turkeys were taking advantage of the sunshine to find some tasty treats. And, at lower elevations, a few groundhogs were enjoying fresh shoots of grass.
Soon there will be fawns, turkey poults and young groundhogs to see.
What a fun time of the year.
Groundhog (She will breed in a few days, give birth at the end of April and push the young ones out on their own by late June)
Wild Turkey Tom
Magpie
Blacktail Deer
A view across the Columbia River
Balsamroot blowing in the wind
A Groundhog on the alert
Basalt cliffs (lots of Yellow Desert Parsley in bloom)
Yellow Desert Parsley
Blacktail Deer sneaking away from me
Coyote Wall
Absolutely delightful spring photos in this gorgeous place in the world. Thanks so much, John, for this visit to the Colombia Gorge.
Thanks for the kind words. It’s a great time of the year.
Terrific photos of wildlife, John. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Debbie.
What a beautiful state you live in!
Spring is always a special time.