Soaring Above the Oregon Coast

Florence, Ore. and surrounding area from the air with Apex Helicopters (Byron DeVries) Photo © Tim LaBarge 2015

[photoshelter-img i_id=”I0000BEaTit6IZ1o” buy=”0″ width=”950″ height=”653″]   Hovering in a tiny helicopter above a colony of seagulls, suspended in the salty breeze above the Siuslaw River, I realized I was in a dream. I’d always wanted to be high in the air, looking down on members of my favorite taxonomical rank: aves. I see birds at the feeder in… Continue reading Soaring Above the Oregon Coast

Timberline Lodge in 1859 Magazine

It was raining in Portland. No surprise there. I wasn’t sure, however, what was happening up on Mount Hood where I was heading for a wintery story. I’d heard snow and I’d heard rain. Thankfully the driving drops turned to graceful flurries below Government Camp and the accumulation got deeper and deeper as I powered… Continue reading Timberline Lodge in 1859 Magazine

The Leo and Jack Trail

When you become the proud owner of two explorers, it’s best to just sit back and observe. I try to direct the flow, to keep up, but in the end I wind up watching. They dig, throw, study, pick, prod, poke, run, swim, whittle, balance, heave, crunch, crank, grind, balance, jump, leap, run, sprint, crawl,… Continue reading The Leo and Jack Trail

Traveling the Backroads of Oregon

It’s one of those places where you announce, though quietly so as to not disturb the silence: I could live here. That rarely happens to me these days. But as I drove backroads chasing motorcycle riders across the northeast corner of Oregon, it did cross my lips. The peace, the beauty, the elk, the rivers,… Continue reading Traveling the Backroads of Oregon

So Close

April 13, 2012. Mount Talbert April 13, 2012. Mount Talbert Just through those trees, just down that hill, there are people and there are buildings and roads many lanes wide. There’s an interstate highway. There’s an old volcano like this one that’s covered with houses. I know this because I can hear it all and… Continue reading So Close

A Butte to Remember

April 8, 2012. Powell Butte After leaving the single track trail that winds through the forest of cedars and firs, you pop out into a giant meadow where I’ve seen coyotes play and hawks snag meals. It’s one of my favorite runs. As you approach the summit of Powell Butte (614 feet) you will pass… Continue reading A Butte to Remember