22-DEC-2015
Look What I Ran Into on My Walk
One never knows what they might run into on a photo walk. I saw this octopus mural on a wall downtown and thought it was pretty neat! So I shot it! :)
23-DEC-2015
Thistle Down Farm
This is a farm located not far from where I lived during my high school years. It remains a busy farm with a farmer's market at this location. That old barn is still in great condition.
24-DEC-2015
A Bird With a Bib!
The beautiful Red-shafted Northern Flicker is found mostly in the Western US. It seems to be more easily seen in our area at this time of year, perhaps migrating here from farther north. I read that it is unique among woodpeckers in that some do migrate. It belongs to the woodpecker family. It is a large and colorful bird, about 12-14 inches long, head to tip of tail. I just love to see them, being one of my favorites. That black patch on its chest looks like a bib to me. This one was photographed at Delta Ponds.
25-DEC-2015
High Water Mark
Recent rains have raised water levels to the point of flooding in some areas. In this scene at Delta Ponds, all but the tops of these plants is under water. It is beginning to change, and we had a bit of sun and rain today. For the most part I stayed in, though I did take a long walk this morning, and I enjoyed the quiet out there. With so many at home enjoying the holiday with their families, it made for not much traffic. So the streets were pretty empty, which makes crossing streets easier, and safer. :) But it's going to be cold tonight.
26-DEC-2015
'Water Over the Dam' (A Metaphor)
The water coming through the spillway at Leaburg Dam looked a bit wild. We have had a lot of rain. It called to mind the idiom, "water over the dam", which has the same meaning as "water under the bridge."
Here is quote from The Free Dictionary, by Farlex - "WATER OVER THE DAM"
"Also, water under the bridge. Something that is over and done with, especially an unfortunate occurrence. For example, Last year's problems with delivery are water over the dam, or Never mind that old quarrel; that's water under the bridge. These metaphoric phrases allude to water that has flowed over a spillway or under a bridge and thus is gone forever. The first term was first recorded in 1797; the variant dates from the late 1800s." (
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/water+over+the+dam)
27-DEC-2015
Bend in the River
This scene of the beautiful McKenzie River was made from a bridge at Finn Rock. I enjoyed a nice drive along the river.
28-DEC-2015
A "Team" of Ring-necked Ducks!
What do you call a group of ducks, like this group of Ring-necked Ducks I saw in Delta Ponds? According to 'WhatBird.com', "A group of ducks has many collective nouns, including a "brace", "flush", "paddling", "raft", and "team" of ducks."
Here in Oregon it is fitting to call them a "team" of ducks! Don't believe me? Ask the University of Oregon Ducks! :)
I have never really seen the ring around the neck on these 'Ring-necked Ducks, but have been assured that it is there! WhatBird.com says this about them: "This species might better be called the "Ring-billed Duck," for its chestnut neck ring is usually seen only at close range, while the white ring on the bill can be a prominent field mark."
29-DEC-2015
Reach Out and Touch the Moon!
I thought I would try a shot of the moon with a Nikon P900 and its 83x zoom. I didn't use a tripod, instead braced myself against the top of the car. It looks almost close enough to touch! I thought the camera did pretty well considering the small sensor.
30-DEC-2015
Green-winged Teal
The Green-winged Teal is, to me, one of the prettiest and most colorful ducks, along with the amazing Wood Duck. The Teals are smaller and can be quite fast, in the air and in the water.
It is good to see that US population of green-winged teal populations has grown steadily since the early 1960's when there was an all-time low number of 722,000 was reported. By 2009, they reached an all-time high of 3.4 million, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
31-DEC-2015
2015 About to Run Out
I can't believe that this year has gone by so fast! Seems like only yesterday it got off to its start. This shot I made under 30th Av in Eugene makes me think about the year passing by. :)