Mark Touhey, second from right, the City of La Grande’s parks and recreation director, talks to La Grande Rotary Club members about a development plan for Morgan Lake Park. The four men are at Morgan Lake Park looking at an aerial photo which has details of the development plan. The Rotary Club members are, left to right, Gordon Kohler, Lance Shoemaker and Colby Marshall, far right. The La Grande Rotary Club will assist with the development project. - Observer photos/DICK MASON

At the base of Morgan Lake Road is a large but inauspicious metal pipe sticking out several feet. Water from Morgan Lake once flowed through the pipe to a small hydroelectric plant, one that stopped operating many decades ago and burned down in 1963.

A black bear peers from a fir tree at the home of Chuck Koch located two miles north of Elgin. - Photo/Chuck Koch

Just ask Chuck Koch of Elgin.

Koch recently received more than he bargained for because of his efforts to spend less on gasoline — a black bear in his backyard.

The western painted turtle is our native turtle species. They've always been present on Ladd Marsh, but the ODFW has augmented their numbers many times in years past. Last year, about 50 were brought over and released on the marsh. - Photo/JIM WARD

Many female western painted turtles are being spotted crawling out of ponds and mud flats at Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area and other nearby places. The turtles are searching for dry areas where they can lay eggs.

Big-hearted people finding these turtles far from water are bringing them back to ponds and marshy areas.

Russ Morgan, left, talks to his sons Seth and Cole before going out on a bow shoot at the third annual Rendezvous at the River earlier this month at the La Grande Rifle and Pistol Club. The Morgans, of La Grande, were among 80 shooters at the rendezvous. - The Observer/DICK MASON

he three-day event, attended by more than 100 people, was held at the La Grande Rifle and Pistol Club. It was for archers using long and recurve bows.

Hikers looking to venture into the loftier reaches of the Eagle Cap Wilderness will have to exercise patience as they wait for snow to melt. - Observer file photo/ROCHELLE DANIELSON

Later than any year since perhaps 1949.

The Fourth of July is traditionally the day Old Man Winter’s footprint is considered erased from the Eagle Cap’s trails — when they are finally clear enough of snow to make navigation possible without skis or snowshoes.

Under the watchful eye of mountain man Darrel Plank of La Grande, Danny Paul of Pendleton hones his hatchet and knife throwing skills. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

Presentations were also given waterfowl identification, basic shotgun shooting, the ecology of Ladd Marsh, bird banding, waterfowl hunting techniques, duck and goose calling, boater safety, basic archery, hunter ethics and outdoor survival skills.

Dick Haines of Baker City, shown with one of his Labradors at the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area on Saturday, discusses the art of training hunting dogs without the use of stern discipline. - The Observer/DICK MASON

Dick Haines of Baker City is convinced of it, so much so that he is devoted to taking the bite out of training hunting dogs.

Haines explained why and the art of humane dog training Saturday during presentations for Ducks Unlimited’s Youth Outdoor Day program at the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area.

Haines believes canines can be taught to be excellent hunting companions without using stern discipline. He has trained his dogs this way for years and will continue to for one primary reason: it keeps dogs’ love of going on hunts alive.

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.