13-NOV-2013
Douglas Fir Cone - Male or Female?
"The Coast Douglas Fir reaches maturity and begins producing cones at 12 to 15 years old. The male cones are usually about 2 centimeters long and are a yellow or dark red color. The female cones are a bit larger at about 3 centimeters long and are green or dark red in color. The female cones have large bracts and can start pollination soon after they develop. By mid-September the cones have fully matured and the seeds have ripened. The mature cones are then 8 to 10 centimeters in size and the bracts turn brown once the seed is also mature. Once cone maturity is reached seed fall begins. By the end of October 2/3 of the total amount of seeds have fallen and by the following spring the rest of the seeds will have fallen. The number of cones produced each year is dependent on numerous variables. It depends heavily on the number of primordia that develop into actual buds. Harsh frosts and insects are also responsible for destroying the seed cones before they reach maturity. Older trees have the advantage of producing more cones then the younger ones. ." Quote from -
http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/cook_morg/Reproduction.htm
12-NOV-2013
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon Junco)
This bird, seen at Delta Ponds, looks like the Chestnut-backed Chickadee in my Birds of Oregon, except for the coloration of the head. This one is all black but the Chestnut-Backed Chickadee has a black and white head. Can someone positively ID it for me?
NOTE: Thanks to Carl and others who identified this pretty bird for me!
11-NOV-2013
Pretty Bird In Pretty Setting!
Great Egret at Delta Ponds
"The Great Egret is a large heron with all-white plumage. Standing up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall, this species can measure 80 to 104 cm (31 to 41 in) in length and have a wingspan of 131 to 170 cm (52 to 67 in)....Apart from size, the Great Egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet..." (Wikipedia)
10-NOV-2013
Walking the Poodle
Maurie Jacobs Park is quite pretty this fall with the nice colors. I think this man walking his poodle adds the right touch to a pretty picture.
09-NOV-2013
Carol's W&A Porcelain Lady In Her Parlour.
This is one of Carol's German porcelain figurines. I think she is very pretty.
Information from online - "The figure was made by WAGNER AND APEL (W & A) GmbH, PORCELAIN FIGURINES LIPPELSDORF, LIPPELSDORF54, 98743 GRAFENTHAL/THUR. WAGNER & APEL (Thuringia, East Germany - 1877 to current day), a fine company making beautiful wares."
This was written about a different figurine but I think it fits here too. :) - "You only have to look to see the beauty of this piece - the pose, the color, the intricacy and flow of the modeling. Germany was the front runner in producing European hard-paste porcelain as early as 1710. This piece is new in comparison, but a stunning item all the same."
08-NOV-2013
Confrontation!
It seems that these two Great Blue Herons at Delta Ponds had a serious disagreement over a Great White Egret. The one on the right finally backed down and went to a different spot in the pond. I am glad I was right there to see it all. I had a front row seat!
07-NOV-2013
Into The Light
The sunlight was starting to shine through the fog, giving this effect as I drove out of the forest.
06-NOV-2013
Delta Ponds Bridge in the Dark
I got caught by the darkness while at Delta Ponds this afternoon. It sure gets dark early now that we are on Standard Time. But as a result, I was blessed with a nice view of the Delta Ponds footbridge with its lights on. All's well that end well!
05-NOV-2013
Carol Has Some Help Around The House
Our middle daughter gave us a tall figurine that now resides with us. Carol dressed her up with new hair and a tray full of drinks. It's nice to have her around. :) Should I call her 'Carol the 2nd'?
By the way, I got a new focusing screen for the old D1x and we are up and running again!
04-NOV-2013
Simply Light
"I have seized the light. I have arrested its flight." (Louis Daguerre)
03-NOV-2013
Rainy Days in Oregon
Western Oregon is having a rainy spell to start November, which is usually a wet month. But remember, that's what keeps Oregon green! Sometimes it rains hard!
02-NOV-2013
Morning Colors On Dexter Lake
The trees along Dexter Lake really showed their color in the morning sunlight.
Information about the lake from Wikipedia:
Dexter Lake is a reservoir behind Dexter Dam in Lane County, Oregon, United States.
It is about 16 miles southeast of Eugene on the Middle Fork Willamette River, immediately downriver from Lookout Point Dam.
Surface elevation: 643' (196 m)
Area: 1.602 sq miles (4.15 kmē)
Outflow location: Middle Fork Willamette River
Inflow source: Middle Fork Willamette River
Cities: Dexter, Lowell