05-SEP-2015
The Center of Its Universe
I was attracted to this bee in a giant sunflower. I guess bees are attracted to bright, beautiful colors like we are! Anyway, what a beautiful spot to dine!
06-SEP-2015
Nice Catch!
I saw this Osprey toward the other side of the Willamette River and wasn't sure why it was out there. With the D7100 and 80-400 VR, I could see it had a catch, a pretty large fish.
I wondered if it was in a position like another Osprey I saw in Delta Ponds a couple or more years ago. That one was along the bank of a pond with a huge fish, and it was trying to fly across the pond with it. The fish was too heavy. It struggled along across the pond and finally made it to the other side. Trouble was that over there it was soon surrounded by Turkey Vultures just waiting for it to leave the fish. The Osprey stayed there feeding on what it could before the inevitable, when the vultures would close in and share the meal.
07-SEP-2015
Sidewalk Art
Recently, Springfield had a Chalk Fest, featuring some sidewalk art. I was able to get down there a few days after the event and shot pictures of some of the sidewalk art. I was especially impressed with this one because of the 3-D effect it gave. Hopefully, I can post a folder of the other artwork at some point.
08-SEP-2015
A Girl's Best Friend
I saw this girl and her dog along the Willamette River and thought, 'how nice'! They seemed to enjoy a brief stop by the river. She soon sat down on the rocks to enjoy the warmth of the sun, while her faithful companion sat close by her side.
09-SEP-2015
Territorial Rights
A Great Blue Heron keeps a watchful eye on a Great Egret in the Delta Ponds. The herons are here year round, even nesting in trees near Delta Ponds and also Alton Baker park, while the egrets only stop by during Spring and Summer. So I think the herons believe the ponds are theirs. They make it very clear most of the time as they will chase the egrets off in their favorite spots. It is fun to watch the interaction between them.
10-SEP-2015
Double Vision
I have had a bit of double vision since my eye surgery, but I don't think it is anything serious. That is, unless I am the only one seeing double in this image! :)
I went back to Delta Ponds today and got this shot of an egret as it landed in another spot for fishing. I really liked the reflection.
11-SEP-2015
My Journey to the Top of Spencer Butte
This was a real accomplishment for me! It's been nine years since I climbed to the top of Spencer Butte. I last did it six days after turning 70. Now, at 79, I made it again today. I was invited to the dedication of the newly rebuilt trail to the top. My day start out wrong as I was late in leaving home and knew I wouldn't make the event, at the tree line at the top. Traffic was heavy, making me later still. So when I got to the parking lot out South Willamette Street, I was later still. For some mistaken reason, I thought the climb was a lot shorter than it turned out to be. I left the parking lot at 1:00 PM and didn't make it to the top till 3:00. It was a climb of over three miles. I was extremely tired when I made it to the top. It was too late for the open house at the top, but I made it!
Now, the return trip wasn't going to be any shorter, as I had the same route to follow back. I thought it would be easier going downhill much of the time. But holding yourself back is still strenuous. So I got very tired, to the point of rubbery legs and feeling a bit wobbly. I had to sit down several times the last mile to rest. Once, I even fell asleep and my elbow slipping on my knee woke me up. That refreshed me enough to continue on. The last half mile included more rest stops and and a final descent to the parking lot.
I was so hungry and thirsty that I stopped on the way home to have a hamburger, and reward myself with a chocolate milkshake. I think that may be my last attempt at the 2000 feet elevation Spencer Butte!
12-SEP-2015
Beautiful Young Blacktail
While on my hike to the top of Spencer Butte I came across this young Blacktail spike in the middle of the trail. Unfortunately, I had a wide angle lens on the camera. So I had to work my way up close to the deer. I even talked to it as I got closer. The young buck didn't seem bothered by my presence. I finally got close enough to get some pictures, just before a couple hikers came walking and talking from the other direction, scaring the deer away. I love any experience I have with the lovable, gentle deer. Just call me the 'deer whisperer'.
Original image cropped just a bit around the edges.
13-SEP-2015
Angie's Purse
I know! I was stretching for a subject. LOL But I liked how our daughter's purse looked sitting on the floor of our car.
So here it is in all its glory, western style!
14-SEP-2015
The Rose, a Flower That Inspires Us!
Did you know that the rose is the favorite flower of 85% of Americans? And it inspires us to song and verse, some 4,000 songs being written about the rose. Shakespeare referred to roses over 400 times in his writings. And roses have long inspired love and always added beauty to the lives of those who have received them. And how many of us have roses in our yards or gardens? Yes, the rose is an inspirational beauty of nature!
15-SEP-2015
Greater Yellowlegs, I think!
This pair of shorebirds was feeding in the shallow water of Delta Ponds when I came by. The water took on a white color as it reflected the clouds and make a nice background for the birds. I am pretty sure the one on the left is a Greater Yellowlegs, the one on the right is a Long-billed Dowitcher.
16-SEP-2015
Oregon Dark Eyed Junco
I learned that there are several variations of the Junco, a beautiful little bird. This one is known as the Oregon Dark Eyed Junco. It's a subspecies of the Dark Eyed Junco.