Last October, we took a scenic drive along the Ochoco Highway in eastern Oregon. The landscapes in this area are punctuated by scenic rugged buttes, painted hills, rimrock mountains, and snow covered peaks.
Rustic buildings persevere, despite the harshness of the environment near Strawberry Mountain. Puffy overcast clouds filled the sky.
Black Butte stands out when you round a corner near Mitchell. The clouds in this picture were breathtakingly beautiful.
Driving westbound, the road winds between steep mountains near Picture Gorge. I always expect to see a Prairie Falcon in flight here.
The eastbound road through the rimrock is also impressive. This photo was taken near the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, an impressive attraction a short distance north of the Ochoco Highway.
The Painted Hills, another short drive north of the Ochoco Highway, showcases colorful mountains but also highlights layered hills in more subtle tones.
You’ll drive by several impressive buttes, including this one near Mitchell. I previously featured a dramatic picture of this peak in black and white.
When I thought about things I like to photograph for the prompt this week, landscapes immediately came to mind. I really enjoyed photographing the interesting geology along the Ochoco Highway last October. The photogenic clouds overhead added an additional “character” to the scenes.
What a beautiful drive! We’ll have to look for it on our next trip through Oregon. I love that cloud panorama in the second image.
Thanks, John! 🙂 Yeah, it was a beautiful cloudscape in that picture.
Fantastic collection, Siobhan. Stunning landscapes!
Thanks so much, Patti!
A lovely scenic tour along the Ochoco Highway. I especially like the Painted Hills, to me the colors and details in this picture are strikingly beautiful, a great picture to frame!
Thank you, Sylvia! The Painted Hills behind that one are gorgeous shades of red, green, gold, and black, but this one stands out on its own. 🙂
You live in such a beautiful part of the country. To think there is such an abundance of curious geology there, is fascinating. To most, Oregon is lush and green, but the high desert is fantastic lesson in land, and landscape. I love that you wrote the post as if we are on a ride. The road most often taken. Very nice.
Thanks, Donna! Oregon has a big variety of landscapes. I’m glad I could briefly serve as a tour guide for you to a part many don’t see. 🙂
That’s true.
Wonderful post introducing many of us to the beauty of your world Siobhan. We’re fortunate to have spent some time there and the nature surrounding you is truly exquisite. To have done it justice is quite accomplishment – terrific post.
Thank you very much, Tina! Lots of beauty a short drive away.
the Ochoco Highway seems like a great place for capturing landscapes – 🙂
Yes, it is! Saw lots of pronghorn and turkeys too. 🦃
☀️☀️☀️
Great countryside. Excellent!
Thank you, John! 😁
Beautiful drive! Painted Hills are on my must-see list.
Yes, it’s a nice drive. There’s a reason why the Painted Hills are one of Oregon’s seven wonders! 🙂
This is exactly the sort of road I love to follow. It epitomises the US road trip experience for me! And I love how you consider the clouds and use them to enhance your scenes 🙂
Yes, you see the country in a different way when driving! I love good cloud formations. ❤ When we visited Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, I was disappointed when there was not a cloud in the sky.