The A-to-Zs of Central Oregon: T is for THUNDEREGGS

Photo by David Rix Eibonvale

Photo by Tom Benson

OREGON'S STATE ROCK

This week we're talking about Oregon's State Rock: the very beautiful (and very strange) Thunderegg! The Thunderegg was elected to be Oregon's official State Rock in 1965 by the state's Legislative Assembly. Oregon has more than a few "rockhounds," and Central Oregon has become a popular destination for rock enthusiasts interested in digging up and collecting these special treasures.

Uploaded by OPB on 2014-03-07.

FORM & FORMATION

There's still some speculation about how these rocks are formed. Some say these nodule-like rocks are formed within layers of volcanic ash, in gas pockets that served as molds. Over a long period of time, the gas cools, and the gap fills with water percolating through the porous rock formation. It is said that the water that fills these spaces is rich with large quantities of quartz, resulting in unique formations.

Geodes, agates, and Thundereggs can be colorful, and are often used decoratively

Thundereggs generally have a center composed of chalcedony, with deposits of agate, jasper or opal. Rockhounds have also encountered Thundereggs with quartz and gypsum crystals, as well as various other mineral growths and inclusions. 

Geodes are always hollow inside. 

These rough, round geological formations are usually about the size of a baseball and are not necessarily synonymous with geodes or agates. Where geodes are always characterized by a hollow center, Thundereggs can have a hollow center, or be completely solid all the way through. 

Agates are a more general type of rock formation. Agates are simply a hard variety of chalcedony, typically with a banded appearance of several repeating lines. A Thunderegg is just one of many forms an agate can take. 

Richardson's Rock Ranch. Photos by RoomtoRamble.com

WHERE ARE THEY? 

These super cool formations are highly concentrated in Central Oregon (of course), with but can also be found across the world. 

One of the most popular destinations to hunt for Thundereggs is the Richardson Rock Ranch in Madras, Oregon. This place has been in business for 44 years, making it possible for rockhounds to root around in the dusty desert hills to see what you can find! Side note: they also have a few amazing peacocks strutting throughout their property. 

Though Central Oregon is definitely the most well-known, and most highly-concentrated site for Thundereggs, these rock formations have been found in Germany, Ethiopia, Poland, Mexico, Argentina, Turkey, and more. 

The Legend of the Thunderbird

The native people of Central Oregon are said to have believed that these rocks are the eggs of the Thunder Spirits, which took the shape of giant birds roosting at the top of Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood. According to this legend, thunderstorms occurred when the Thunderbirds would fight among themselves, hurling their eggs at each other in anger, ultimately embedding in the ground. It is for this reason, according to this legend, that the eggs are scattered all across this region. 

The Native American Legend of the Thunderbird

The A-to-Zs of Central Oregon: S is for the SAGE GROUSE

Male Greater Sage Grouse

One of Central Oregon's most beloved (and most unique) bird species is the Greater Sage Grouse, or Centrocercus urophasianus. These fascinating birds have incredibly intricate mating rituals... with some pretty eye-catching anatomy to match. Their presence in the American West has led them to become a sort of mascot, prized by Native American Culture, and spoke of in an almost mythical way by birding enthusiasts. As the name implies, the Sage Grouse is entirely reliant on its habit of Sagebrush, a habitat which is shrinking rapidly. 

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

As is often the case in bird species, the females sport a much simpler plumage than the males. The females are small, with brown and white feathers, scattered with bits of black. They are smaller as well, averaging about 22-23 inches in length, in between a crow and a goose. Both genders sport black bellies, and mottled brown and white feathers on the wings.

Male Sage Grouse with gular sacs extended

GREAT DANCE MOVES

Female Greater Sage Grouse

The male Greater Sage Grouse, on the other hand, cuts quite a voluptuous figure. He has a rich crest of white feathers adorning his chest and neck, bright yellow markings above his eyes, and an ornate fan of feathers on his backside. 

The most unique characteristic of the males is easily the two yellow balloons that expand from his chest when he makes a mating call, as you can see in the video below. These 'balloons' are called gular sacs, and are an important part of the male's ability to attract females

The mating dance of the Greater Sage Grouse is mesmerizing, bizarre, and attracts tons of eager bird-watchers from all over the world every year. We must caution against seeking out the Sage Grouse to see this mating dance, due to the Sage Grouse's dwindling population-- we don't want anyone ruining the mood!

HABITAT AND MATING

The Greater Sage Grouse is picky about where it chooses to call home, only residing in certain locations across the Intermountain West. Around 60% of its diet consists of Sagebrush, and during winter it is all the bird eats. This makes it a sensitive species, when the habitat disappears, so does the bird. 

During the spring mating season, groups of grouse around 70 in size gather in ancestral mating grounds call Leks. They return to the same mating grounds every year, and the males will gather in a large clearing. For the entirety of the season, males will dance and battle for the prime spot in the Lek, and the attention of the females.  The dominant male will be located in the center of the area. Females return every day to judge the males, and will only choose one, so competition is fierce. 

Sage Grouse habitat: dry, sage-covered lands.

IN DANGER

The Greater Sage Grouse is under extreme threat, with an 80% decline in population over the past 100 years! Much of this has to do with habitat destruction. Development of the sagebrush seas created limited habitat. This can be especially impactful if a mating area is destroyed, as generations of Grouse will return to the same mating area every year, even if they find roads and building in place of the Sage and open fields they need.

A deflated male Greater Sage Grouse

The A-to-Zs of Central Oregon: R is for ROCK CLIMBING

Photo by Andreas Fidler.

Here in Central Oregon we can't get enough of outdoor adventure. While you can say there is an almost endless list of outdoor sports to participate in, rock climbing is undoubtedly one of the most popular. Climbers are attracted to Central Oregon for good reasons, one of them being Smith Rock State Park. This park is a major part of the history of rock climbing in the United States, due to the incredible features and a group of dedicated individuals who pushed boundaries and had a passion for the sport. Bend loves rock climbers just as much as rock climbers love Bend. Boasting a rock climbing gym, countless stores to get your gear fix, a rock climbing school, and even a museum exhibit, Bend is a bucket-list town for climbers.

Smith Rock State Park. Photo by Jeff Finley.

HISTORY

While rock climbing has always been a part of mountaineering, it became a sport of its own in the late 1800s. In the early twentieth century, climbers began travelling to meccas, such as Yosemite National Park in California to practice Traditional, or Trad, Climbing.The sixties is when climbing began to grow from its underground state.  These climbers often lived out of their vans or cars, totally devoting themselves to the sport. Chris Sharma and Lynn Hill are just two of the big names that came on, with countless others creating not only a sport, but a way of life. 

Monkey Face at Smith Rock State Park. Photo by Chaney Swiney. 

SMITH ROCK STATE PARK

As the popularity of the sport sky-rocketed, climbers were looking to develop new areas and put their name down in history under 'Fist Ascent'. This is where our own Smith Rock joins the story. Although the 650-acre area was named a state park in 1960, dedicated local climbers had been developing the area long before that. Allan Watts, the son of one of those first climbers to make their way up the cliffs of Smith Rock, changed the game forever. Watts created a new way of climbing, now referred to as Sport Climbing. A very controversial method at the time, Sport Climbing opened the door to routes previous considered too dangerous to climb, creating some of the hardest routes in the world. This put Smith Rock State Park on the map, and let climbers chose which style is best for them in their pursuit. Smith Rock is home to many world-famous routes such as Monkey Face and Mesa Verde Wall. 

Smith Rock Sunrise. Photo by Mike Putnam.

CLIMBING IN BEND

The fun doesn't stop at Smith Rock. Here in Bend, we have the Bend Rock Gym. If you're looking for a great place to learn or hone your climbing skills, this is the place to go. With bouldering problems, climbing routes, crack climbing, exercise equipment, and more, the gym helps maintain the climbing culture here in Central Oregon. Add the countless stores where you can buy gear, get your gear fixed, and meet other climbers to head out with, and you've got a climber's paradise!

For those looking for a little help getting into the sport, Smith Rock Climbing School offers guides to set new climbers in the right direction.  SRCS has been a part of the climbing scene here since 1983, and have dedicated staff who love what they do, and want to help others discover a new passion.

If this doesn't prove how much Oregonians love climbing, we have had a museum exhibit on the sport. From now until September, the High Desert Museum will have their exhibit, Ascent: Climbing Explored on display, where visitors can enjoy the interactive exhibit and see how climbing has changed over the years.

Photo by Riccardo Bresciani.

GLOSSARY

Rock Climbing uses a lot of specific terms, we've outlined some of the basics here so you'll sound like a pro next time you're at the crag!

Crag: The spot or rock face where the climbing is taking place.

Bouldering: Short, challenging problems on natural boulders or in a gym. Done without a rope over a bouldering or crash pad to prevent injury

Traditional Climbing: Also referred to as Trad Climbing. Climbers place removable equipment as they ascend in case of a fall. This leaves no equipment on the wall after the climbers leave. 

Sport Climbing: Invented in Smith Rock State Park by Allan Watts. This method involves placing permanent bolts or anchors into the rock, opening up routes that had no place for removable equipment and requires less gear.

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Guest post by Naturalist Guide Phenix! Check out her adventure blog here. 

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