01-JAN-2015
Will I Get More Treats This Year?
Our Pekinese/Chihuahua pal, Miko, is licking his chops about his prospects for 2015. He is always begging for more treats. Don't feel sorry for him, he gets plenty!
02-JAN-2015
Coypu (Nutria)
A Nutria feeding in Alton Baker Park. "The coypu (from Spanish coipú, from Mapudungun kóypu) (Myocastor coypus), also known as the river rat or nutria, is a large, herbivorous, semiaquatic rodent ..." (Wikipedia)
Native To: South America
Date of U.S. Introduction: First established populations introduced in the 1930s
Means of Introduction: Introduced for fur production
Impact: Damages vegetation and destroys habitat in wetlands
- (USDA, National Invasive Species Information Center)
03-JAN-2015
Daybreak, a Time to Break Into Song
I very much enjoyed the sunrise this morning! The color reflecting on some water just made it that much more appealing. It was worth going out on a cold morning to get the picture.
I recalled this song from the past, sung by the golden voiced Frank Sinatra. Listen to it here:
04-JAN-2015
Asphalt Jumble
Fresh black asphalt makes a wonderful background for colors, as with these leaves. The scene is totally unrehearsed. :) I found the result pleasing.
05-JAN-2015
Walking On Water
This American Coot sure looks like it is walking, or running, on water as it begins its take off. The scene is in Delta Ponds. There are lots of them there now. I got a good shot of their strange feet, which I hope to post later.
My thoughts today were of my father who was born on this day, 103 years ago. He died in 2000.I still miss my parents very much.
06-JAN-2015
Sunrise At Clearwater Park
We have quite a bit of fog this time of year and this morning looked promising for photo opportunities. So I headed to Clearwater Park to get some shots of the fog along the Willamette River. I liked this scene.
07-JAN-2015
The Herons Are Beginning to Nest!
Even though the trees are bare, with no leaves to hide the nests, the herons are already beginning to nest. I saw this pair in the nesting tree in Alton Baker Park. Sure is foggy out there!
Red-Breasted Sapsucker?
I took a walk on this foggy morning and about a mile away from home I saw some color on a tree in a drainage ditch by the road. I stopped dead in my tracks and looked closely. I saw this beautiful little bird. In my "Birds of Oregon" book, the Red-Breasted Sapsucker is the only species that matches the bird I saw. I was thrilled, as they are not a common sight, according to the book.
Interestingly, it was so occupied pecking at the tree that it ignored me. It looked right at me a few times but went right back to work. I got pretty close, about six feet away from it, got my shots and left so as not to disturb it. I was thankful that it posed for me as long as it did. I had my little V1 and a 10-100mm lens, which I use for general shooting, but wished I had the V2 and its 70-300 VR, which gives me 810mm EQV FL. Oh well, I was able to maneuver pretty close.
09-JAN-2015
Middle Fork Path
I had an opportunity this afternoon to take a short walk on the Middle Fork Path. The path is 4-miles-long and runs from Clearwater Park all the way to Dorris Ranch, alongside a stretch of the Middle Fork Willamette River. Some of the path at the Dorris Ranch end goes through forest, as this scene shows.
10-JAN-2015
Striking a Pose
Out in Delta Ponds I met my friend, the Great Blue Heron, after he landed on an old snag. I wanted him to pose for me, so he graciously struck a pose, balanced on one leg. I was so grateful that I got my shots, thanked him and graciously walked away so as not to disturb him. I really like his portrait. :)
11-JAN-2015
Clearwater Park Scene
I loved how the golden morning light reflected on the water in this scene from Clearwater park in Springfield. The result looks a bit like an HDR image, but was just processed using my usual quick and easy method. I found it to be a very restful scene.
12-JAN-2015
Bewick's Wren
I can't find exactly the same coloring in my Birds of Oregon book. The closest thing I can find is a variety of wren. The beak and white stripe above the eye looks like that of some wrens. What is it? I would like help with the ID. NOTE: From all the feedback I learned it is a Bewick's Wren. Thanks to all those who responded!