I am going out on a limb here a little, because I am basically recommending a
movie that I have not yet seen. But this one is more about the setting, and its
effects on characters, than are most hollywood efforts.

Meek's Cutoff is based on an actual attempt to cut off time from the Oregon
Trail by traveling along the north side of Malheur, Mud, and Harney Lakes. I
know many Tweets are Malheur Refuge fans, so the following might be of
some interest:

Carla, the refuge archaeologist, wrote last year that the scenery in the movie is
true to location, as they filmed for three days and four nights (under a special
use permit) on the refuge near Harney Lake. The filming was in Sept. and Oct,
which are typically dry times, and from the movie trailer the story makes the
most of the desert conditions. Historically, the wagon train survived after finally
making it to OO springs, which I suspect some of you have been to (its behind
the caretaker's house at OO Ranch).

Roger Ebert gives the film a good review. Its scheduled to open at the Grand
Cinema early June. So, if you're a Malheur nut, you might want to consider it.

By the way, just got back from there, and right now its far from a desert. The
narrows is so full of water that it looks like an inland sea. The center patrol
road is closed, probably for a while, as it is flooded in some areas. As a result,
you have to search harder than usual for birds; they are all spread out. My
favorite, P Ranch, is in danger of being flooded by the Donner und Blitzen.
Page Springs is very active (and very birdy).

Still no final decisions on the proposed wind farm on Steens, or on the
proposed power line crossing. Will be bird monitoring there this Sept., and
again next spring.

On the way back saw a GGOW on nest with two young near LaGrande.Jerry
Broadus, PLS
Geometrix Surveying, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Puyallup, WA. 98371