Diamond Craters Oregon

Diamond Craters is an designated Natural Area comprising of 17,000 acres and has some of the most diverse volcanic features in the nation clustered within a small, accessible area. Diamond Craters is located in the high desert country about 55 miles southeast of Burns, Oregon.

Named for rancher’s Mace McCoy’s diamond brand, Diamond Craters displays an entire range of eruptions possible in basaltic volcanism and was formed in the past 25,000 years, with some of the eruptions taking place as late as 1,000 years ago.  Geological features include craters and vents, cinder cones, spatter cones, lava tubes, driblet spires, a graben, and water-filled maar.

It’s an isolated place and some precautions should be taken when traveling in the area. First, Diamond Craters has no tourist facilities. The nearest places where fuel is sold are Diamond and Frenchglen. Keep your vehicle on hard-packed road surfaces and obvious parking areas. If you go hiking, carry drinking water. Watch out for rattlesnakes.

Diamond Loop National Back Country Byway

The BLM or Bureau of Land Management has several routes within public lands as Back Country Byways. These are typically unpaved and more remote than other byways and are noted for their scenic attributes. Most of the public lands found along the byways are distant and provide both solitude and recreational opportunities.

Designated on March 14, 1991, the Diamond Loop National Back Country Byway offers a variety of wildlife, historical landmarks and fascinating natural formations. Traveling the 69-mile byway takes you through a patchwork of high desert terrains – from the deep blues of mountain vistas and the dusky sage-covered hills to the red rimrock canyons and the grassy reaches of marshes and valleys.

There are two places to access the Diamond Loop Back Country Byway: near the town of Princeton on State Highway 78 (north), or at the junction of State Highway 205 and Diamond Lane (west). We recommend filling up with fuel and food in Burns or at the Narrows before venturing around the byway. Lastly, remember much of southeast Oregon is open range – be prepared to share the byway with cattle and wildlife!

 

March 14, 2016March 14, 2016 by northwestbysouthwestphotos Categories: oregon, scenic landscape, wildlifeTags: central oregon, oregon, outdoor landscape, photography, travel Leave a comment

Ridgefield NWR Washington

Established in 1965 to provide wintering habitat for the dusky Canada goose.  the Refuge preserves both habitat for wildlife, and evidence of the people who once lived here.

Black Headed Grosbeak

Along the lower reaches of the Columbia River the approximately 5300 acres  of the refuge has a mixture of wetlands, grasslands, riparian areas, and forests. These habitats with a mild and rainy winter climate, provide an environment for many species including neotropical song birds, wintering waterfowl, and other local native species. 

red turtle

The refuge consists of five sections, with unique habitats. Two of these sections are open to public visits while the remaining three are kept as sanctuary for wildlife to escape human disturbance. This maintains a balance of allowing those species less tolerant to human presence to thrive in an increasingly urban area.  

Visitors can hike trails or take an auto tour route and has many opportunities for observing, and photographing wildlife. 

Cinnamon Teal

vulture

The refuge also preserves the most intact archaeological site on the lower Columbia River, and evidence of at least 2,300 years of continuous human occupation. That history and culture is interpreted through the Cathlapotle Plankhouse built in 2005 and open to visitors on the weekends in the spring and summer

 

March 7, 2016March 7, 2016 by northwestbysouthwestphotos Categories: birding, washington, wildlifeTags: birding, birds, native american, photography, travel, washington, wildlife, wildlife refuge 1 Comment