Elk rutting season in Oregon

A flock of starlings perch on a large wild bull Roosevelt elk as he stands with a group of females in a wetland near Reedsport in rural western Oregon on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. It's the elk mating season in Oregon.

A  bull Roosevelt elk shows his interest in mating while displaying for a group of females at the Dean Creek Wildlife Viewing near Reedsport in western Oregon on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. 

A large bull Roosevelt elk tears up grass with his antlers while displaying for a group of females.

Things get a little funky as the bull tests for receptivity. 

Osprey perch

A young osprey perches in a dead tree along the bank of the Umpqua River near Elkton in rural western Oregon on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017.

Snake crossing

A small snake crosses a country road near Elkton in rural western Oregon on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.

Another smoke filled day

The sun is turned red by a thick layer of wildfire smoke as it rises as seen from near Elkton in western Oregon on Wednesday Sept. 6, 2017.. Numerous large wildfires are burning in the Pacific Northwest and causing severe air quality issues.  

Cover photo: The Reader Magazine

Super cool, it's my #youthvgov photo on the cover of The Reader Magazine. Read more about the historic federal climate change lawsuit here. 

Wildfire Smoke in Elkton, Ore., Sept. 3, 2017

Meditating mantis

A mantis perches on the leaf of a hazelnut tree in an orchard near Roseburg in rural western Oregon on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017. Mantises were considered to have supernatural powers by early civilizations, including Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, and Assyria. Mantises are among the insects most commonly kept as pets.