Central Oregon, Antelope to Ashwood.
Antelope Oregon
On my recent visit to Central Oregon i got off the beaten path to the tiny communities of Antelope and Ashwood.
There isn’t much to do in either town and that’s the whole point. Neither town was a destination so much as just being a starting point and an ending. i had left the town of Madras the day before and had passed by Antelope on my way to fishing on the John Day river. On my return trip i knew i could take the long way back to Madras via Ashwood, with antelope being the cut off point.
While looking for a place to spend the night,I had taken a short ride down a gravel road that i was sure would lead me to Ashwood. Not finding a suitable spot, i returned to a place I knew of on the main road and set up camp.
I was up before first light and got coffee going and made hash browns and bacon. By then the sky was getting bright enough to spot wildlife , so i packed up and got going.
The sun was just coming up on the horizon as i turned onto the gravel road and it was just spectacular. I took a few pictures and continued at a snails pace.
sunrise on stock chute-Central Oregon
I was driving slow just taking in the scenery and trying not to raise to much dust. One hand on the wheel and the other on my camera so i would have time to react should i see something to photograph. Taking pictures of wildlife you have to be ready.
I saw a few deer and a couple antelope right away, but nothing i could get a good shot of.
I crested a long grade with a switchback that gave me a great view down a long ravine. As i cruised slowly around the rim i peered down to the bottom but saw no wildlife. The sun was getting higher and was making me squint so I stopped to put on my sunglasses. As i rounded the bend, off to my left i saw a good mule deer buck. The sun was rising directly behind him and it was awesome!
Oregon mule deer at sunrise
He and a much smaller buck stopped to look at me long enough to get a couple shots, and then they quickly moved along accross the ridge and disappeared into the canyon. Wow! i thought to myself, what a treat that was! it’s moments like this that really make me appreciate the wild lonesome places and the creatures that live there. 
As the morning wore on i saw more deer. Off in the distance i saw four mature bucks that were equal to the one i had seen earlier. As i watched i saw one more buck that had enormous antlers, but as luck would have it the batteries in my camera died before i could get a good close shot of him. Oh well, what was i saying about being prepared…yeah. Next time i’ll have fresh batteries and have my backup camera ready as well.
Hi Don,
Indeed, the wild mule deer which you were able to capture on film are vivid and beautiful.
Oh, when you wrote about making hash browns and bacon there on the road, that took me back to memories of camping in Canada as a girl with my siblings and my late father. I even remember simply pulling over at the side of the road in a more urban area en route home and turning up the little grill (I can’t remember the proper term to tell you, or I would, of course.) and cooking link sausages right there.
yes! Next please be more prepared with back up camera batteries!
What was your son doing at this point while you were driving and shooting?
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Boomer Dating Expert
Don,
What a great story and pictures. I can smell that bacon now. Years ago I would love to go out in the early morning before sunrise, get in my stand and watch for wildlife.
A great feeling for sure.
Lynn Lane->
The Warrior Of Success
.-= Lynn Lane´s last blog ..Your A-Team & Success =-.
Your photo’s are gorgeous! So I assume that Antelope is home to many antelope? From the sounds of it there may be more of them than people living there. It all sounds so wonderful, like something out of a dream.
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services – Babysitter in your area
Awesome photos, Don!
Whenever we see deer where we are, we just stop and stare. It is a rare treat. We generally only see female deer though. To see one or more bucks, like you did, would be incredible!
Health, Fitness for Working People — Darryl Pace
Lisa there sure are a lot of antelope in the area around the town of Antelope. I’m not sure of the exact numer but i have heard something like 4 antelope per 1 person living in the local area. Even so, you have to keep a sharp eye out if you want to spot them. Their natural camoflauge makes them blend right into the scenery.
Ok, so I had to stop back again to look at these beautiful pictures! Hope you are well!
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services – Babysitter in your area
You tell this story so well that I feel I was on the trip with you!
I’d love to go visit your part of the world Don.
It’s fantastic to see you writing again.
Awesome. JJ