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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2017)
LIFESTYLES Contributed photo by Barbara and Mike Morehead Contributed photo by Barbara and Mike Morehead Contributed photo by Barbara and Mike Morehead WEEKEND, JULY 1-2, 2017 Contributed photo by Barbara and Mike Morehead The Morehead’s family dog, Lucy, sports Mountain peaks reflected in Anthony A rufous humming bird in the backyard of A herd of elk bed down in the snow near a pair of Doggles. Lake outside Baker City. the Morehead ranch outside Pilot Rock. McKay Creek outside Pilot Rock. PRESERVING NATURE Contributed photo by Barbara and Mike Morehead A deer and her two fawns stand on a hillside outside Pilot Rock. Contributed photo by Barbara and Mike Morehead A band-tailed pigeon in the backyard of the Morehead ranch outside Pilot Rock. Staff photo by E.J. Harris Contributed photo by Barbara and Mike Morehead Barbara and Mike Morehead of Pilot Rock spend a good portion of their free time together roaming Eastern Oregon, taking Longhorn cattle graze on a ranch in pictures and then sharing those photos with others. Prairie City. Contributed photo by Barbara and Mike Morehead Contributed photo by Barbara and Mike Morehead Mike Morehead’s interest in photography A metal elk ornament is silhouetted as began while he was serving in the river the sun sets over the Morehead ranch on McKay Creek, east of Pilot Rock. patrol during the Vietnam War. Contributed photo by Barbara and Mike Morehead Contributed photo by Barbara and Mike Morehead Apricot blossoms near the Morehead’s A butterfly lands on a flower in the home on McKay Creek, outside Pilot garden of the Morehead ranch outside Rock. Pilot Rock. Moreheads document nature, people in their world By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN East Oregonian B arbara Morehead knows all too well the importance of preserving memories. “I remember when we had moved to Meridian, Idaho, and we were burning boxes with the garbage. Somehow, a box of family pictures accidentally got mixed in with the boxes, and it got burned. I just remember my mom sitting on the porch and crying. I think that was the first time I really realized how important pictures are.” So began a lifetime of careful documenta- tion. Many in their hometown of Pilot Rock and surrounding communities know Barbara and her husband Mike for their wildlife photography, which includes birds of all kinds, raccoons in their yard and elk in the wilds of Umatilla and Union counties. Both residents of Pilot Rock for more than 50 years, the couple combine their penchant for photography with a love of the outdoors and deep personal histories with the areas they explore. About once a week, the two pack their camera and some snacks and head out for a long day trip. They travel to the Baker, Enterprise and John Day areas periodically, but most often find themselves in the Blue Mountains, or areas not too far from where they live. The Moreheads say they have no photog- raphy expertise, and use a Canon Power Shot SX60HS camera. “We just keep it on one setting and point and shoot,” she said. “We had disposable cameras for years and did OK.” Mike said they have a couple of key princi- ples for taking good photos: early morning or late evening light, and keeping a camera handy at all times. “You never know when a photo opportunity will arise,” he said. Subject matter prints out the pictures and lays them out, and Their favorite subjects to shoot are usually everyone that lives there comes and looks at animals, and they have provided many photos them. That’s the joy, just sharing with people.” to the Pendleton Bird Club, including several Exploring of a rare band-tailed pigeon that they spotted in Early last Wednesday morning, the More- their backyard. But they try to document more heads set off for one of their adventures. They than just the natural world. drive south on Highway 395, heading east at They take photos of old homesteads and the small town of Ukiah. They follow Highway grain elevators, set against vast fields, and of 244 until Barbara spots a herd of elk — almost the sky: storms, sunrise and sunset. too far away to see. They photograph people As they search for a spot when they can, especially to take photos, another driver “We just like senior citizens, many of whom stops to say hello. The man is Barbara says don’t have any local who comes out every sharing with the a evening other photos of themselves. to watch the elk. community. There When they get the chance, “I’ve got seven trail they photograph historic sites out here,” he said. are lots of elderly cameras and events. “The other night, a baby elk “We may have those people who can’t that was left by mom or some- photos in black and white, but thing came right up to the get out. It’s their truck and just looked at us.” we have them,” she said. “The history of things that happen link to the world.” He recognizes the More- here locally — it’s nice to heads’ name from seeing their have that on film.” — Barbara Morehead, photos. Occasionally, they take “You guys better get of Pilot Rock photos of food. Some of the going,” he says, “This is the restaurants they frequent, greatest show on earth.” especially ones in smaller towns like The They follow the road along Camas Creek, Thicket in Ukiah, don’t have photos of their which glitters in the morning sun. food to use for menus or online, so the More- Crossing into Union County, they hit a heads started snapping photos when businesses gravel road and start to climb. Today, they’ll need them. get as high as Anthony Lake, at 7,100 feet Though their subject matter varies, they elevation. have a common theme. As they drive, the landscape continues to “We’ve never sold a photo,” Mike said. “It’s change. The dry grass of Ukiah gives way to awesome.” lush green growth, and the forest is heavily “We just like sharing with the community,” populated with pines — first ponderosa and Barbara said. “There are lots of elderly people then lodgepole — and an occasional tamarack who can’t get out. It’s their link to the world.” tree poking the sky. Barbara remembers a man in a retirement Usually, the Moreheads set out with a loose home in Portland who used to be a professor at agenda and stop whenever something catches Blue Mountain Community College. See MOREHEADS/4C “He loves this Ukiah area,” she said. “He
