23-OCT-2015
The Sunshine of My Life
I thought I would try to brighten your day by posting this sunflower, with the bee at the very heart of things.
For some reason, it made me think of the song, "The Sunshine of My Life", by Stevie Wonder. So I played it.
24-OCT-2015
Into The Morning Spotlight
Over at Delta Ponds I watched this Great Egret as it hunted along the opposite side of a pond. I saw this patch of bright golden sunlight and waited for the egret to come out into the light. Using the Vivid setting in the camera I was able to add contrast between the light area and the dark background in the rest of the scene, all the time working to get the white of the egret properly exposed. I was pleased with the result.
Image converted and processed in ViewNX2
25-OCT-2015
Confrontation!
It was great fun to capture this confrontation between a Great Blue Heron and Great Egret, at Delta Ponds. The herons seem to be quite territorial about the ponds and often chase the egrets off. That happened here after the encounter, the egret flew off to another pond.
26-OCT-2015
Ichthyology -The Study of Fish
Carol called my attention to the way the sunlight through the window was lighting her glass 'fish in a vase'! So I moved a little glass girl over so that it looks like she is studying the fish. :)
"Ichthyology (from Greek: ἰχθύς, ikhthus, "fish"; and λόγος, logos, "study"), also known as Fish Science, is the branch of biology devoted to the study of fish." (Wikipedia) Learning is fun, whether it is the study of fish, other wonders of creation or the answers to questions that puzzle us. Never stop learning!
27-OCT-2015
Pretty in the Ponds
I had a nice walk at Delta Ponds this morning and got some nice shots, even though I had to really scout for the wildlife. I loved this shot with the unusual shade of green of the vegetation and the golden light on the pond, all making the beautiful egret stand out. Yes, another egret photo. I have lots of them. LOL
28-OCT-2015
Low Cloud Nestled in the Coburg Hills
Took a drive out in the Mohawk Valley (yes, Oregon has a Mohawk Valley). I was attracted to the cloud laying low in the Coburg Hills and thought it would make a nice photo. There is a hint of fall colors there, but the trees are mostly Douglas Fir.
29-OCT-2015
Kat at the Ponds
I met the nicest young lady at Delta Ponds today. I had to go to Valley River Center to have new lenses put in my glasses and decided to take a walk while I waited. While there I met a great young lady, Kathryn (Kat), who was there for her studies at the University of Oregon. We had a nice visit and observed several different kinds of birds there. I often forget to photograph those I meet. This time I remembered. It was a pleasure to meet you, Kat!
30-OCT-2015
Fall Colors in Delta Ponds
It rained on me today when I visited Delta Ponds, but that didn't dampen my spirits! I did get some light for this photo. I really enjoy my walks there. Beside the wildlife one can see, there are beautiful scenes to enjoy, like this!
31-OCT-2015
Red Shafted Northern Flicker
I visited Jasper Park this afternoon to check on fall colors there. Some of the trees were losing their leaves in the breeze, so it is a bit late now to see the colors at their best. But I saw plenty of color in this beautiful Flicker. The Red Shafted Northern Flicker is the more common seen in Oregon. One of them showed up in our backyard a while back. I am fond of this gorgeous bird and was happy to see this one.
01-NOV-2015
Stop! The Trail Ends Here!
I sometimes follow a path along the Willamette River at Clearwater Park. The path is primitive, just a trail worn by the steps of others who also take the path. But the trail ends here! If one were to continue straight ahead they would end up in the river! A person can continue if they cling to the right, hanging onto branches of trees. I have done that, but it's best to stop here!
02-NOV-2015
Hey, Watch Your Beak!
Oops, I was corrected (thanks to Jim and Mats)! I was thinking that this is a group of Greater Yellowlegs, but they are Long-billed Dowitchers, seen at Delta Ponds. Those long bills are good for digging out bugs and other food along the shoreline. But it seems they would always be getting in the way! :)
03-NOV-2015
I Am Still on the Fence About Fall!
I guess I haven't given up on nice summer-like weather, a good motivator when it comes to photography. As a result, I am still, on the fence about Fall. Oh well, we are well into it now! It's getting colder and the skies are getting darker and gray. But there still are photo opportunities out there. We just have to look for them.