Scimitar-Horned Oryx (Oryx dammah)

Can this oryx be saved? Scimitar Oryx were hunted for their horns, almost to extinction. Where once they occupied the whole Sahara, they are now considered to be extinct in the wild, with no confirmed sightings in the wild for over 15 years. Although there have been unconfirmed sightings in Chad and Niger, these reports have never been substantiated, despite extensive surveys that were carried out throughout Chad and Niger in 2001-2004 in an effort to detect Sahelo-Saharan antelopes.

A global captive breeding programme was initiated in the 1960s. In 1996, there were at least 1,250 captive animals held in zoos and parks around the world with a further 2,145 on ranches in Texas. A herd exists in a fenced nature preserve in Tunisia, and is being expanded with plans for reintroduction to the wild in that country.

critically endangered scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah)

Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)

Whenever I see "Kevin" from the pixar movie "UP", I think of the Cassowary Bird. It's not an exact match, but the Cassowary is a large and colorful bird. These birds, unlike Kevin, are not noted for their friendly demeanor. Quite the opposite in fact. To quote Wikipedia: The blade-like claws are capable of killing humans and dogs if the bird is provoked.


Portrait of a southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)

Newborn Fawn (Odocoileus hemionus)

I have told this story before, but I was recently given some grief over this image of a newborn fawn. Clearly, I was using a wide angle lens and in close proximity to the animal. Typically, I give wild animals plenty of space, but this was a unique occasion.


Driving very early in the morning on a logging road in Eastern Oregon, I came around a bend and startled this fawn and her mother. Following instinct, the fawn dropped to the ground into a "hiding" position in the middle of the road and the mother leapt into the forest. Since the road was being used by large trucks and other vehicles, I didn't think the fawn would have survived long in that location.


Turning on my flashers I grabbed my camera, scooped up the fawn and moved it deeper into the forest about 40 yards off the road. It made no sound, and did not move. After placing it, I took a few shots and then left it in peace.


The mother will return, call her fawn and find her without much trouble. I have worked around calves and fawns with professional biologists long enough to know that the mother will not be put off by human scent. The mothering instinct is too strong to abandon her fawn based upon odor. 


I did not stick around to make sure there was a happy reunion, but I like to think there was.



newborn mule deer fawn (Odocoileus hemionus) hides in the forest

Eight-Spotted Skimmer Dragonfly (Libellula forensis)

Despite the murky weather, the flowers are still emerging – and I spotted a freshly emerged dragonfly cruising a pond. 



male eight-spotted skimmer dragonfly (Libellula forensis) resting on foxglove (digitalis) flowers

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) - A Medicinal Plant

This plant was introduced to the Pacific Northwest from Europe and is naturalized in much of the area. Famous for its cardiac glycosides, it is an important medicinal plant and used in the heart medicine digitalis or digitonan. Unrefined, the entire foxglove plant is highly toxic and may be fatal if ingested.



foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) a medicinal plant



medicinal plant, foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Unsettled Weather

The rest of the country seems to be enjoying summer, but here in the Northwest it has been dark, cool, and rainy. The weather forecast has more of the same. 



A rainstorm passes over rugged country in Northeast Oregon

Banded Alder Beetle (rosalia funebris)

These striking beetles are not rare, but certainly not common either in the Pacific Northwest. Their pattern looks exotic, and when people encounter them for the first time they often assume they are rare or foreign beetles. But in truth, their larva feeds on California laurel, Oregon ash, and New Mexico willow.


Banded alder beetle (rosalia funebris). Western Oregon.

Blood Star Sea Star (Henricia leviuscula)

Tidepools can look bland at first glance, but explosions of color and life can be found without much effort.



Blood star sea star (Henricia leviuscula). Oregon coast.

American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), an invasive species in the western United States. Native frogs and turtles often lose when these frogs take over a home pond. More photos to come of this frog...



american bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)