Fall Colors, Fishin' and Critters (Some with horns)

[Mike McKenzie]

As a stormy day project I thought I'd post a few pic's of last fall's trip to my favorite country...

I tried out my new waterproof camera case and found out that it ain't easy to photograph fish on the end of your line in a float tube...It's gonna take a lot of practice...here's a couple of not too bad of pictures..They kinda speak for their selves.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0411.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0413A.jpg

One out of fifty that was decent.....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0421.jpg

Even above the water's hard for an old fart in a tube....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0431A.jpg

That lake is loaded with wild Brookies, as well as the planted rainbows, but for whatever reason (only the fish new) I couldn't beg, buy or steal a grab from one...Oh well!

Here's couple of bird shots (not quite up to jbirds standards though...)
Cocked and ready to go...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0071B.jpg

Cussin' out the world...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0135A.jpg

These things made my trigger finger itch like crazy...(Taken the Day after the season closed)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0155A.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0162AB.jpg

A different set of horns..a cow on the prod...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0197A.jpg

Frosty morning jewels...As the sun rose over the crest of the mountains the frost reflected the light in a rainbow of colored jewels...The reduced file size just doesn't do the picture justice though you get a hint
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0108A.jpg

Almost a sun dog....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0195A.jpg

This is why I love this country...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0028A.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0048A.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0038A-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0046A.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0025A.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0029.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0006A.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0020A.jpg

I hope you enjoyed the show!
Mike

[jbird]

I think these pics are fantastic! Love the fall colors. I especially like the sun rays on your underwater shots. Very cool!

Where did you take these?

[Mike McKenzie]

Where did you take these?

Jay from your house take the Crater Lake Hiway out towards White City, get on 140 and head east to Denio Juction in Nevada.. turn north and go to Frenchglen and take the Steens loop road up the mountain. I try to be up there every fall.

Last year was a bust because of that late Sept. cold storm.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0014.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/stripermike/Steens%202010/IMG_0017.jpg

2008 was the best year for color out'a the last 10 or 11 years....This year was pretty good 2nd though...

Mike

[aaron]

First rule of the Steens, don't talk about the Steens ;)
Mule tag is next to impossible to draw. Fish lake is fun. The Kiger is a hell of a hike, but amazing.

[Mike McKenzie]

First rule of the Steens, don't talk about the Steens ;)


Yeah, probably, except for the fact that its pretty widely known by all the tourists and there are several outfitters that work the Steens that seem to stay busy. That aside most folks that "recreate" up there aren't willin' to hike Kiger or Big Indian or anything below it unless they're settin' atop a horse..:D

Mike