>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

IN HIS ELEMENT: One of only a handful of registered, professional bird guides in Oregon, Trent Bray searches the banks of the Grande Ronde for the source of yet another call. - Chris Baxter, The Observer

A swirling swarm of swallows overhead already starting their day, our first aviary sightings of our three-hour canoe tour of a beautiful and relatively isolated stretch of Catherine Creek.

PRINCE OF THE MARSH: Wood ducks live throughout the Grande Ronde Valley. The less-colorful female seeks out an abandoned woodpecker cavity to nest, but will accept artificial nest boxes. Wood ducks, and up to 200 other bird species, will be sought after by birdwatchers at the upcoming “Birdathon” at Ladd Marsh. This third-annual event runs May 9 -11. For more information call 963-4954. - Photo/JIM WARD

“The event is a non-competitive birding opportunity for the family and free of charge,” said Ladd Marsh Wildlife Biologist Cathy Nowak. “We hope families will come out and visit the wildlife area not only to go birding, but to enjoy the scenery.”

Harvesting a buck doesn’t end with putting the meat in the freezer. Hunters are now required to to submit a report about their hunt online or via automated telephone within 15 days of the end of the season in which they participated. - The Observer/JEFF PETERSEN

Just give the facts, however scintillating or mundane they may be.

This just-the-facts-Max approach is what the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is now mandating from hunters.

Old Man Winter’s extended stay in Northeast Oregon is putting a popular Union County tradition in peril this spring.

The Morgan Lake Fishing Derby, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed because of ice — enough ice to fill thousands of freezers.

About 95 percent of the lake is still covered with ice. Snow also surrounds the lake, making it difficult to reach its shore.

Lingering winter-like weather and deep snowpack at higher elevations has turkeys concentrated on or near valley floors.

Hunters will also find lots of snow and if they are not careful — conflict.

Extended winter-like weather has left higher areas covered with snow. Most turkeys are concentrated on valley floors.

Three elk crossings have gone up along a cattle fence on Foothill Road. The crossings were installed at places where there is heavy elk traffic. - The Observer/DICK MASON

Three wooden crossings have been put in by Friends of Ladd Marsh in portions of a .75-mile private cattle fence along the west side of Foothill Road. The 30-inch-high crossings are about 18 inches lower than the fence and much easier for elk to get over. The crossings are also high enough to discourage cattle from escaping.

Eddie Miguez, supervisor of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Ladd Marsh, Elkhorn and Wenaha wildlife areas, is optimistic about the crossings. He has seen similar ones work effectively for elk near the Oregon coast in the Jewell area.

AND THEY’RE OFF: The first leg of the Ski Anthony Lakes Triathlon March 16, above, was a 3-kilometer run. Ron Bennett, right, races through the challenging second leg, the bike leg, and went on to win the men’s overall title. - Photos courtesy SKI ANTHONY LAKES

The first leg of the race was a 3-kilometer run. Competitors found it difficult to obtain secure footing, making for a long slog.

After pumping up the last hill to the bike exchange, racers snagged up their bikes and attempted pedaling against the soft, fresh-fallen snow. Comical and entertaining for spectators, the bike leg was by far the most treacherous for racers. Most ran along side of, or carried their bikes through the second leg.

Chris Heffernan, left, and his son Sheldon took this cougar in early January near their home 10 miles west of North Powder. Sheldon, a University of Idaho student, shot the cougar after tracking it with help from his father and brother Justin. - Submitted photo

Chris Heffernan of North Powder will never forget this after a harrowing experience two months ago.

Heffernan was riding a snowmobile a half mile from his home about 10 miles west of North Powder in mid- January when he spotted a fresh cougar track, one made minutes earlier.

It is certain that more sandhill cranes will be appearing at Ladd Marsh. Presently about two pairs are there, but within the next few weeks many more will arrive. Ladd Marsh often has 50 to 100 sandhill cranes in the spring, many of which can easily be seen at the Tule Lake Nature Area. - Photo/JIM WARD

Still, the hearts of excited wildlife viewers are zooming to rates of at least 120 beats a minute following the annual opening of Ladd Marsh’s Tule Lake Nature Area.

Skiers glide along a portion of the 25 kilometers of trails at the Meacham Divide Ski Area. - Submitted photos

So good that even a jackknifed semi truck on Interstate 84 could not keep the cross country skiing center from setting a record pace.

To date, 524 skiers have come to Meacham Divide. That’s 84 percent more than the number that had visited the area by this time year ago, when totals were first kept. This year’s total may be the highest in Meacham Divide’s 10-year history.