I am not really sure. Sauvie Island sits in the Columbia River (border between WA and OR), part of Portland, OR. As the crow flies, I would guess approximately 40 miles, less maybe?

When I do an internet search, I keep turing up driving distances to the new visitor center taking one up I-5 past the mountain. The turn off to the visitor center is north of the mountain, and then a fair drive off of I-5. These distances are greater, yet under 100 miles.

It was a nice spring morning that Sunday in May, 1980. My hunting dog and I got up early and headed out to Sauvie Island (largest island in the Columbia River), where I often worked my hunting dog. All of a sudden, there it was!

I knew instantly that the mountain was blowing big time. Loading my dog into my rig, I checked and found that I had a camera with me with only two frames of film left on a roll of 35mm. Driving a short distance, I found this site on the island that offered a unique setting. I got out of my old International Scout, setup my tripod and took two quick frames of film.

I have always loved this image in how it shows natures complete extremes. The trees had not yet leafed out; however, they were budding with the essence of spring. The cattle grazing, the volcano, the reflection in the small lake, all come together.

As always, comments and/or questions are more than welcome.

I found them to a bit shy too. I worked a couple of days - used a 300mm with a 1.4 teleconverter. I had to use a high ISO to hand hold the shot, but I did get a couple of shots. I certainly did not get too close. I think "snows" are the only owls that hunt durning the day.