[boot up]

One of the things I like about living in Central Oregon is fun hike options while out running errands. Monday I was dropping off my wife at Redmond Airport for an early flight. It finally occurred to me that I might as well detour the extra 15 minutes and hike Smith Rock on the way home. Last second lack of prep did result in forgetting a few things....like hiking poles, but sufficient gear for an uncrowded mid-week morning photo ramble. Unusual lack of crowds rewarded the early start, and taking a less traveled route gave me a mostly private trail. Started from the far end parking on the Homestead trail, checking out the basalt columns, noting some pricey looking climbing gear attached to the top of one. (turned out someone forgot it, but it was gone by the time I connected with them and figured it out a couple days later) Good omen with some nice lighting even from the parking area....which later turned to mostly gray clouds.

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Magpie Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Magpie in tree. Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

You get some different perspectives on the park when you ramble around the rim in this area.

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Then drop down the scrabbly drop to the river and have an easy ramble on the Canyon trail.

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Geese landing. Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

I actually prefer the viewing angle from the Canyon trail better than the busy River trail. River trail you are under the rock faces. Canyon trail you get to see the rock faces.

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Climber trainer wall. Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Knife Edge Ridge. Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

lava wave frozen in time. Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

No problem finding a Cliff Bar break spot to sit on my new Klymet sit pad (2.5oz and pocket size).

Time for a Cliff Bar break. Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Then back to the trail that skirts the Newbie Climber Rock, and back up to the Rim trail where I chatted with a Pro photographer that gave me some good location tips for birding shots for future trips.

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Balance rock. Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Black butte with balance rock. Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

The ghost in the machine. Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

The eagles were out of range for my 120mm handheld lens. The Pro had a Canon lens that was about the length of my arm and weighed about as much as my leg. But hey, he missed the Goldeneye duck shot and I did get some fuzzy action shots of a red tailed hawk.

Redtailed hawk, Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

RedTailed hawk , Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

And got a couple of distant shots of people flaunting their luck on the scrabbly cliffs. Safety record for Climbers is great in the park.....for casual Selfie-taking hikers.....not so much.

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Brave or Foolhardy, Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

Smith Rock 1/8/18, Terrebonne OR

[Brushbuffalo]

Thanks for the armchair tour. Nice bird shots, and you're right about all-too-many of the selfie takers. The Grand Canyon for example loses a few who back up that extra step or two.

[DIYSteve]

male Barrow's Goldeneye pic In addition to Red-tail Hawks, look for Rough-Legged Hawks in that area in winter