Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is located roughly 30 miles south of the town of Burns Oregon. I arrived in the afternoon after my mud-slinging drive down the BLM Access Road and I spent a few hours around the Visitor Center before driving into Burns, securing lodging and a meal, then hosing down the mess I made on the muddy road.
The 187,757 acre reserve includes the shallow, often dry lakes Malheur and Harney in the north and south to Frenchglen, some 36 miles away. As with many parks and reserves, the Visitor’s Center is a productive area to collect photographs. I found about 20 birders wandering the grounds when I arrived that afternoon, and twice that number when I returned the next day.
Driving into Burns the first day I spotted a raptor (Ferruginous Hawk) nest about 200 feet to the side of the road. The light at the time was bad with the sun setting behind the scene. When I returned the next morning the light was better. I captured a moment when the parent brought in a small rodent to feed the four large babies in the nest.
After spending a few hours back at the visitor’s center, I drove down to Frenchglen on the gravel central road called the Center Patrol Road and stopped at many locations to investigate the promising areas I met along the way. One fine moment for me happened ¾ of the way south at a shallow lake called Benson Pond. I was visiting with another photographer and I heard a flight of Canada Geese as they were approaching my position. As I turned to capture an image, I saw a Trumpeter Swan flying so close as to barely fit into my view finder, but I managed a couple of decent shots.
Subjects that I captured on this day were Barn Swallow, Black Tern, Black-Crowned Night-Heron, Brewer’s Blackbird, Canada Goose, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Kingbird, Ferruginous Hawk, Franklin’s Gull, Northern Harrier, Ring-Billed Gull, Trumpeter Swan, Western Kingbird, White-Faced Ibis and Wilson’s Phalarope.
Images Below

Malheur 'Lake'(n/a) |
Description: Lake Malheur varies from zero to 10 feet deep (maximum) depending on the snowpak on Steens Mountain. The high shore line is just beyond the buildings. On this day the shore is far away. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 10:57 |
Location:
Malheur NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 12 mm, f/4.5, 1/1500 |
File Name: D2X0629-Scenery-MalheurLake |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Marshlands(Scenery) |
Description: Much of birdlife at Malheur NWR is in the wetlands around the Blitzen River and can be seen from the "Center Patrol Road". |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 12:10 |
Location:
Center Patrol Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 12 mm, f/4.5, 1/2500 |
File Name: D2X0633-Scenery-MalheurNWR |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Marshlands(Scenery) |
Description: Much of birdlife at Malheur NWR is in the wetlands around the Blitzen River and can be seen from the "Center Patrol Road". |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 13:51 |
Location:
Center Patrol Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/1250 |
File Name: D2X0647-Scenery-MalheurNWR |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Long Hollow Summit(n/a) |
Description: This vista greets the traveler leaving Malheur and Frenchglen Oregon as they begin the decent into Fields Oregon. When I crossed over this ridge had no idea of the cool people I was about to meet. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 19:14 |
Location:
Fields |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 12 mm, f/4.5, 1/400 |
File Name: D2X0654-LongHollowSummit |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Ferruginous Hawk(Buteo regalis) |
Description: Feeding time! This nest had four very large and health looking preflight age chicks. I sat alongside the road from Burns Oregon to Malheur NWR for over an hour. This was the only appearance by an adult. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 8:58 |
Location:
Narrows |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X7116-FerrugineusHawk-Nest |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Brewer's Blackbird(Euphagus cyanocephalus) |
Description: Alongside the road from Burns Oregon to Malheur NWR. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 9:28 |
Location:
Narrows |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X7179-BrewersBlackBird |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Kingbird(Tyrannus verticalis) |
Description: These birds were nesting under the nest of a Ferrugenous Hawk family. Alongside the road from Burns Oregon to Malheur NWR. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 9:30 |
Location:
Narrows |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: D3X7206-WesternKingBird |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Western Kingbird(Tyrannus verticalis) |
Description: These birds were nesting under the nest of a Ferrugenous Hawk family. Alongside the road from Burns Oregon to Malheur NWR. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 9:30 |
Location:
Narrows |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X7207-WesternKingBird |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Faced Ibis(Plegadis chihi) |
Description: Near the Headquarters of Malheur NWR south of Burns in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 11:18 |
Location:
Malheur NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: D3X7298-WhiteFacedIbis |
© 2007 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


Northern Harrier(Circus cyaneus) |
Description: This hawk was being harrased by a Red-Winged Blackbird near the Headquarters of Malheur NWR south of Burns in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 11:21 |
Location:
Visitor Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: D3X7308-NorthernHarrier-Harrassed |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
Description: In flight is the usual way these birds are seen. Near the Headquarters of Malheur NWR south of Burns in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 11:34 |
Location:
Visitor Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X7587-BlackTern |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
Description: In flight is the usual way these birds are seen. Near the Headquarters of Malheur NWR south of Burns in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 11:34 |
Location:
Visitor Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X7589-BlackTern |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
Description: In flight is the usual way these birds are seen. Near the Headquarters of Malheur NWR south of Burns in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 11:35 |
Location:
Visitor Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: D3X7626-BlackTern |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Eastern Kingbird(Tyrannus tyrannus) |
Description: I met this bird along the Center Patrol Road of Malheur NWR in the area near Buena Vista Ponds. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 14:10 |
Location:
Center Patrol Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X7704-EasternKingBird |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Canada Goose(Branta canadensis) |
Description: Benson Pond in Malheur NWR about 10 miles north of Frenchglen Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 15:36 |
Location:
Benson Pond |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: D3X7810-CanadaGeese |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Trumpeter Swan(Cygnus buccinator) |
Description: Benson Pond in Malheur NWR about 10 miles north of Frenchglen Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 15:36 |
Location:
Benson Pond |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: D3X7815-TrumpeterSwan |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Trumpeter Swan(Cygnus buccinator) |
Description: Benson Pond in Malheur NWR about 10 miles north of Frenchglen Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 15:36 |
Location:
Malheur NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X7820-TrumpeterSwan |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Trumpeter Swan(Cygnus buccinator) |
Description: This family lives year round at this refuge. Benson Pond in Malheur NWR about 10 miles north of Frenchglen Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 15:36 |
Location:
Malheur NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X7836-TrumpeterSwan |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Franklin's Gull(Leucophaeus pipixcan) |
Description: Benson Pond in Malheur NWR about 10 miles north of Frenchglen Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 15:51 |
Location:
Benson Pond |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: D3X7840-FranklinsGull |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Trumpeter Swan(Cygnus buccinator) |
Description: Benson Pond in Malheur NWR about 10 miles north of Frenchglen Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 15:51 |
Location:
Benson Pond |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X7867-TrumpeterSwan |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Trumpeter Swan(Cygnus buccinator) |
Description: This family lives year round at this refuge. Benson Pond in Malheur NWR about 10 miles north of Frenchglen Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 15:53 |
Location:
Malheur NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X7911-TrumpeterSwan |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Ring-Billed Gull(Larus delawarensis) |
Description: Benson Pond in Malheur NWR about 10 miles north of Frenchglen Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 15:56 |
Location:
Benson Pond |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X7929-RingBilledGull |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black-Crowned Night-Heron(Nycticorax nycticorax) |
Description: Benson Pond in Malheur NWR about 10 miles north of Frenchglen Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 16:45 |
Location:
Benson Pond |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: D3X7948-BlackCrownedNightHeron |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
Description: In flight is the usual way these birds are seen. The wetlands north of Frenchglen and "The P Ranch" in Malheur NWR in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 17:09 |
Location:
Center Patrol Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X8012-BlackTern |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Black Tern(Chlidonias niger) |
Description: In flight is the usual way these birds are seen. The wetlands north of Frenchglen and "The P Ranch" in Malheur NWR in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 17:11 |
Location:
Center Patrol Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X8036-BlackTern |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Phalarope(Phalaropus tricolor) |
Description: The wetlands north of Frenchglen and "The P Ranch" in Malheur NWR in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 17:28 |
Location:
Center Patrol Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X8071-WilsonsPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Phalarope(Phalaropus tricolor) |
Description: The wetlands north of Frenchglen and "The P Ranch" in Malheur NWR in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 17:32 |
Location:
Malheur NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X8081-WilsonsPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Phalarope(Phalaropus tricolor) |
Description: The wetlands north of Frenchglen and "The P Ranch" in Malheur NWR in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 17:40 |
Location:
Malheur NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X8103-WilsonsPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Phalarope(Phalaropus tricolor) |
Description: The wetlands north of Frenchglen and "The P Ranch" in Malheur NWR in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 17:41 |
Location:
Malheur NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X8128-WilsonsPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Phalarope(Phalaropus tricolor) |
Description: The wetlands north of Frenchglen and "The P Ranch" in Malheur NWR in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 17:50 |
Location:
Center Patrol Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X8195-WilsonsPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Common Nighthawk(Chordeiles minor) |
Description: The wetlands north of Frenchglen and "The P Ranch" in Malheur NWR in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 17:59 |
Location:
Center Patrol Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: D3X8212-CommonNightHawk |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


Wilson's Phalarope(Phalaropus tricolor) |
Description: Breeding activity; she'll lay her eggs and leave the male to raise the babies. The wetlands north of Frenchglen and "The P Ranch" in Malheur NWR in eastern Oregon. |
Date Taken: 2015:06:03 18:38 |
Location:
Center Patrol Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X8237-WilsonsPhalarope |
© 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |

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