Birds and Beasts above Saddle Creek

Saddle Creek is one of many drainages that flow down steep basalt canyons into the Snake River. Often times, Meg and I stay at a Forest Service campground above Saddle Creek that looks into the majesty  side cliffs and benches that form Hells Canyon.  Bird and mammal life is busy, as these pictures show.  A pair of blue birds were nesting in a dead tree close to our campsite, providing us with fun sightings of their constant search for insects.

Mountain bluebird in flight

Mountain bluebird

Western bluebird ready for takeoff

Pygmy nuthatch

Hummingbird

Western tanager female

Western tanager male

Spruce grouse

ground squirrel

Camping in Hells Canyon

Meg and I try to make an annual trip into Hells Canyon every year around the Fourth of July, when the wildflowers are at their fullest.  Hells Canyon, reputed to be the deepest in the US, is formed by the Snake river, and separates Oregon from Idaho. A narrow dirt road leads out of the small "town" of Imnaha and travels steeply toward the fire lookout at Hat Point. This is the only road into this magnificent country.

The views from our campsite would be worth a thousand dollars a night were this a five star resort.  Our campsite is more simple, but it is all we need to enjoy the tranquility of this magnificent scenery.

Meg, morning devotions