17-NOV-2015
Rosboro Lumber Cold Deck
We see such cold decks of logs around the area, at mills and storage lots.
05-NOV-2015
Surprise Package
I made a brief visit to Clearwater Park today to try to capture some of the remaining fall colors. As I was composing a shot of a mountain draped with fog, a Dark-eyed Junco landed on a fence post in front of me, to my pleasant surprise. Naturally, I quickly lost interest in the mountain and began to shoot a few pictures of the Junco. This is one of them.
06-NOV-2015
Extreme Backlight
At times, it is good to play with the qualities of light, such as its direction. Here, intensifying high contrast by seeking a dark background (a shaded area) made the spots of color pop, and creates a more pleasing image (to me anyway) than just an ordinary shot of this weed.
The only thing I would like to change is to fill more of the left side of the frame with the plant, but I had already finished with it and didn't feel like going back. So you get it the way it is! :)
07-NOV-2015
Tiny Visitor on Mushroom
Had a nice walk at Clearwater Park and enjoyed the fall colors. As the trail wandered through the woods near the Willamette River, I came across a dead tree lying on the ground. There was what appeared to be a mushroom growing out of the tree, and on that growth there was a little visitor. I am not sure what the insect was (perhaps some kind of fly), but to me it added a spot of interest.
08-NOV-2015
Doggie in the Dark
Let me tell you, the bedroom was dark! I noticed the stuffed dog, that I had got Carol when she was in the hospital a few years ago, lying on the bed. The way light from another room hit the dog's face grabbed my attention. So I just had to try a shot. If you check the Tech Notes, you will note that the camera was handheld at 1/3rd of a second. I do have a pretty steady hand! The result turned out to be just what I wanted.
09-NOV-2015
Oregon Junco Testing The Water!
It was a cool morning at Delta Ponds. It almost looked like this Oregon Junco was taking time to test the water before taking a bath. I have seen them during the last few visits. They winter in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere.
10-NOV-2015
Stretching is Good For You!
This Great Egret, seen at Delta Ponds, seems to know how beneficial stretching is! It sure knows how to do it!
11-NOV-2015
A Heron in the Rain
I paid a short visit to Delta Ponds today. But it was raining, so I went back to the car in pretty short order. I pulled over to a spot where I could view one pond from the car and shot some pictures of this Great Blue Heron on a huge stump of an old tree. Since the stump looked interesting and unique, it seemed to make a good prop for the heron. The grass in the background contributed to the scene. I thought it made for a pleasing image.
12-NOV-2015
You Don't Bring Me Flowers
How would you feel to be given these flowers? Flowers can mean so much! And sometimes we husbands forget such things. The flowers brought to mind the song by Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond.
I think I will buy Carol some flowers tomorrow.
13-NOV-2015
Soft Touch
I had to go out to the Post Office late this afternoon, and took my camera along. When I went past a car wash, I saw this and had to grab a shot. It's probably in the midst of the rinse cycle. That would explain the mist surrounding the car. Anyway, I like the result.
14-NOV-2015
The Northern Shoveler's Remarkable Bill
I was pleased to get this image of a male Northern Shoveler. That wide-ended bill is quite unique and impressive! My Birds of Oregon book says that they are 'generally common winter residents throughout Oregon.' That explains why I am seeing them now.
"You can't fail to be impressed by the Northern Shoveler's remarkable bill. Its broad, spatulate shape and the hair like ridges that line in allow this duck to sift small water plants and invertebrates from the surface of still waters, where it is by far the most common duck. Shovelers eat much smaller organisms than do most waterfowl, and their digestive systems are elongated to prolong the digestion of these hard-bodied invertebrates." (Birds of Oregon)
In a world gone mad, wildlife remains a constant pleasure, for me at least. I find the wonders of creation very humbling. We can learn much from the beauty and balance seen in the natural world.
15-NOV-2015
Dancing in the Dark
It was getting dark when I was out for a walk in the park. I thought that these two trees, bathed in light from the parking lot, looked like they were dancing in the dark. Remember, I told you I have a good imagination. :)