Brush Along The River

There is a lot of life along the rivers and streams.

If you spend any time around Vale, Oregon sooner or later you will find Bully Creek. Here is a view from a private farm near Vale.

You won't find blossoms like this in the winter, but I thought they would be a nice touch for the Christmas season.

Shoe in a Tree

As funny as this particular photo may be at first glance it is also a grim reminder that the wilderness is no longer pristine. Litter comes in many shapes and sizes, though for the life of me I couldn't figure out how this shoe ended up in that tree.

Rock Monument

Finding this pile of rocks will cost you half a day of driving over some of the worst roads in the United States but it is well worth it. The view alone is worth it and knowing that you've been where few people have been is always fun.

Rain Clouds

I love it when the clouds come together for the spring rains. The farmers in the area really rely on this moisture and for that matter so does most of the local economy.

Malheur River Cliffs

You'll find these fun cliffs along the Malheur River along highway 20. There are roads to get back on top of them but I don't recommend driving them if you are afraid of heights.

Malheur River

Here is a view of the Malheur River as seen from my backyard. Yep it sure is nice to be able to walk to my fishing hole anytime I feel like it.

Old Barn

This old barn has definitely seen bettter days.

Black Cow

Ever wonder where your hamburgers come from? Well now you know. Cattle like these are scattered all over the open range in Eastern Oregon.

Desert Brush

As often as I've seen it there is stills something magical about brush in the desert. The smell of it in particular always gets to me.

Closer to Beulah Reservoir

Here is a closer look at Beulah Reservoir. This was a windy day so not much was moving out there.

View From Crowley Road

Here is a view from Crowley Road. Antelope hunters pay attention. You'll find a big buck in this area.

Beulah reservoir

A windy, cloudy day near Beulah reservoir north of Juntura, Oregon. What a great place to take the family fishing and camping.

High Up South of Squaw Creek

This is a pretty remote area to get to and not very much traveled. If it looks like you are standing pretty high up that is because I was at the time. There was still snow on the ground in May here.

Beautiful Sky

Don't get me wrong, I love western Oregon a lot. I lived on the other side of the state for years, but you just won't find a beautiful clear sky like this over there, at least not very often. Looking at that big sky over the desert makes a person realize just how small humans are in the grand scheme of things.

Trees Off of Highway 20

These twisted shapes really caught my eye as I was driving by. I couldn't pass them up and just had to share them with you. I thought the shadows from the clouds made for a pretty dramatic shot.

Barren Desert

Believe it or not finding patches of desert as barren as this is a real challenge. You can find this spot of forsaken waste off of Twin Springs road which is north and west of Owyhee reservoir.

Distant Antelope

Spotting an antelope is always exciting. Hunting big game is as much a part of the culture here as farming, ranching and going to church.

Abandoned Ranch

There are quite a few old abandoned ranches and homesteads around but you won't usually see them from the main highways. You'll have to take a trip down Crowley Road off of highway 20 to find this one.

Desert North of Westfall

If you are wondering if those hills are as desolate and dusty as they look, the answer is a resounding yes. The dust flies like snow when you drive over those hills.

Antelope on Crowley Road

Getting at all close to the western Pronghorn Antelope is a feat in and of itself. Getting close enough to get a photo w/o a telephoto lense and being able to see anything was a miracle. I wasn't looking specifically for wildlife so I'm pretty happy with this shot.

Valley

You will only find this view by driving about 10 miles south of Sqaw Creek and taking a little BLM access road up into the hills. It is a bit hard to find and unfortunately I didn't have my GPS that day.

A Unique Sky

Capturing a sky view like this was a real treat. Believe it or not those colors are true. Sometimes in the spring when the weather is still a bit wet the clouds and shadows come together just right to capture something right out of hollywood.

Cliffs

Drive around near rock canyon long enough and you find something like this.

A Desert Storm

Here we can see the wind before the rain hits the desert. Catching a photo like this is a rare opportunity and if the storm happens to be a rough one a person can get stranded out there for days due to the deep thick mud. Fortunately this proved to be a fairly light rain.

Highway 20

Never traveled along highway 20 between Burns and Vale? Well I can save you a trip. You'll see a whole lot of this.

North Fork Malheur River

How can anyone not just love this kind of country? This was taken along the north fork of the Malheur River south of Beulah Reservoir.

Butch Cassidy and Sundance

Looking for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid? Well it seems I found where they live, or judging by the bullet holes where they lived.

Rocks, Rocks and more rocks.

Rocks like these sure are a welcome sight after all the sagebrush. Of course you'll want to watch out for rattlers when you are up there.

BLM Land Near Westfall

I have a hard time describing Westfall as a town. It does have a zip code but not much more than that.

Old House

You'll find this old house out near Mud Flats though it is exceptionally difficult to get to. You better have a 4 Wheel Drive and do try to get there after a good rain storm.

Cattle (or just cows)

Cattle ranching is a major part of the economy in these parts. When the ranchers and farmers do well then so does everyone else around here.

Butch Cassidy's Mailbox

Anyone looking to deliver mail to Butch Cassidy? You can find this mail box, appropriately shot full of holes out near Keeney Creek along Crowley Road.

I admit I had a great laugh when I saw it.

Cliffs

These cliffs are pretty hard to find. You will have to take Crowly road to Dry Creek Cutoff road and then keep your eyes open. If you want to get close you'll have to do some hiking.

Gruesome Door Handle

I found this door handle being used on an old shed near a ranch building.

Windmill Off Twin Springs Road

This functional windmill can be found by driving out Twin Springs Road south of Vale. There are a few such devices scattered around.

More Malhuer River

Brush On The Hills

Pockets of brush mixed with grass is prime habitat for Antelope though apparently I didn't see any this day.

Valley Landscape

Valley landscape photo taken on the way to Castle Rock.

Desert Lizard

When Summer starts you will find these little critters starting to come out and see the world. They are pretty friendly and will generally let you get close enough for a photo. But careful they will scamper away if you frighten them.

Landscape South of Hwy 20 Malhuer County

This is a view of a piece of the landscape looking South from Hwy 20 between Vale and Juntura, OR.

Beulah Reservoir

I took this shot more for the clouds than for the reservoir itself. Still a fun place for camping and fishing.

Malhuer River North Fork

This was taken near Chukar Park north of Juntura, OR.

Rocks Near Owyhee River

You'll have to do some driving to get to these rocks. They are south and west of Owhyee reservoir out along the river. Honestly though, if you have the time it is a worthwhile adventure to get out to them.

Old Shack

Old buildings like this dot the landscape, especially around some of the old ranches.

Juniper Berries

Juniper Berries have a number of uses, not the least of which among Native Americans was as a contraceptive. Please note that if you are pregnant you really shouldn't be eating or drinking anything with Juniper Berries (or their extract) in it.

Landscape

No idea where this was taken except that it was in Malhuer County.

Harper Farmland

There really isn't much else near Harper Oregon besides farmland, but it is some of the most beautiful country to look at anywhere.

Cut Tree

Trees like this are often cut to clear the back roads.