Subject: [Tweeters] Wallowa photos (birds and scenic images)
Date: Jun 19 15:02:14 2007
From: khanh tran - khanhbatran at hotmail.com


Hi Tweeters!

I have posted photos from my recent Wallowa trip with the Smiths. It was
one of my most memorable Wallowa trip (Joseph, Oregon) to date. The fun
tram ride to Mt. Howard, productive birding near Imnaha, OR and new lifers
for them was quite rewarding.

Last year's big fire in the Okanogan areas may have diminished alot of the
prime habitat for specialized boreal species. This area is a great
alternative for finding boreal species such as spruce grouse, pine grosbeak,
boreal owl, white winged crossbill, American 3-toed woodpecker, black backed
woodpecker, and Northern goshawk.

White tailed ptarmigans were introduced in the early 1970's but due to
overgrazing from sheep, the birds have not been reported in that area since
the late 1980's and early 1990's. I am optimistic that they are still
there. It is in an area where few birders invest that time and energy to
find these elusive, cryptically plumaged birds. You can rent horses to
explore the vast area.

William Smith generated a comprehensive list of birds seen this past
weekend. This posting can be viewed under the OBOL or Inland NW
listservers. ( subject: Walllow birding trip report )

The following bird photos and Wallowa mountain images are added to my
website:

Mt. Howard 464.jpg (potential habitat for WT ptarmigans; see lower right
side, alpine meadow)

Great gray owl (bird was too close; couldn't fit all of the bird into my
scope!)
Spruce grouse
Chukar (two images, one with the female being obscured)
Veery
Red eyed Vireo
Lazuli bunting
Western tanager
Clark's Nutcracker
Hermit thrush (one trusting bird on nest, two feet from ground)
Virginia Rail (from Croeni Ponds in Hillsboro, OR)
Cedar Waxwing (From a neighbor's yard in Portland)
Yellow headed black bird (Ridgefield NWR)

Photos are best viewed using slideshow function. View photos under
Recent_photo with the Mt. Howard image. Once gallery is open, click the
SLIDESHOW option on the upper right hand corner of the screen. Just watch
and relax :)

If you want a upclose and in person view, chose the large size at the bottom
of any image.

http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/root

I highly recommend the Imnaha/ Hat Point area for spectacular scenery and
productive birding. It has the densest population for yellow breasted chat,
lazuli bunting, veery, and red eyed vireo that I have ever encountered
anywhere in Oregon. Please bird with caution as there are very few
pullouts. You can easily hear many singing birds along the 30 mile road
leading to the rustic town of Imnaha.

Red eyed vireos sing in the open tree tops and are easy to spot and study;
such persistent singers with big mouths! As a result, I was able to get some
good pictures. It was also awesome to hear the echoing, ethereal songs
from the many veeries along the heavily riparian flanked, canyon stretch.

The exceptionally beautiful ride up to Hat Point is about 22 miles or so
from Imnaha. A SUV is not required; several low clearance vehicles had no
problems making the trek, with only a few potholes along the way.

Another recommendation is the tram ride to Mt. Howard in Joseph. What a
spectacular view of the Wallowas! It is about a 15 minute, scenic ride to
the top (Elevation is about 8200 ft).

We cheated and got gray crowned rosy finches at the top. Hiking around the
alpine tundra triggered the thought of white tailed ptarmigans (a little dry
in some areas). You might see Northern Goshawks, pine grosbeaks, and white
winged crossbills along the tram line.

At the top, there are 2.5 miles of hiking trails. Surprisingly, it was
almost snow free. It was fun seeing the Clark's nutcracker robbing goodies
from the chipmunks.

I suggest buying a two round trip, entrance pass for 28.00 (20.00 for one
round trip). We took the trip twice as the first day was very foggy. Have
lunch up there and I promise you won't regret it!!

It time for me to get my cowboy hat and rent a horse to explore the vast
area for ptarmigans!

Enjoy the photos and let me know if you have any questions.

Good birding,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)