06-FEB-2015
Mischievous Thief
Some don't care for the Western Scrub Jay. I find them entertaining and fun to watch because they’re so animated. Besides, I think they are beautiful, with their deep azure blue with dusty gray-brown and white colors. I think they make pretty subjects.
COOL FACTS FROM "ALL ABOUT BIRDS"
Western Scrub-Jays have a mischievous streak, and they’re not above outright theft. They’ve been caught stealing acorns from Acorn Woodpecker caches and robbing seeds and pine cones from Clark’s Nutcrackers. They even seem aware of their guilt: some scrub-jays steal acorns they’ve watched other jays hide. When these birds go to hide their own acorns, they check first that no other jays are watching.
07-FEB-2015
They Are Here in Large Numbers!
I visited Delta Ponds this afternoon and got soaked. It didn't bother the birds. And the cormorants are here in large numbers. They visit every year about this time. This Double Crested Cormorant was high in a tree that was full of them.
I didn't think it looked like a Double Crested, but checked the Audubon website and it confirmed that it was, saying - "The Double-crested (which rarely looks noticeably crested in the field) is the most generally distributed cormorant in North America, and the only one likely to be seen inland in most areas" There is a lot of good information here -
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/double-crested-cormorant
08-FEB-2015
Biking in Alton Baker Park
This type of bike is seen occasionally around Eugene. Looks comfortable but I don't know that I could keep one upright. Bike riders use the paths through Alton Baker Park a lot, rain or shine, as you see here. I learned this type of bike is a 'Recumbent'.
Recumbent Bikes
"Born out of the marriage between a bicycle & a deckchair, recumbent bikes offer a laid back reclined riding position which are chosen for, mainly, ergonomic reasons. The rider’s back & buttocks are well supported giving rise to a very comfortable riding position. With a smaller frontal profile &, hence, lower wind resistance, most recumbent bikes offer an aerodynamic advantage over conventional bike types. Available in a wide range of configurations, recumbent bikes can be long to short wheelbase, with mixed sized wheels, rear wheel or front wheels drive & offer different steering methods too – overseat, underseat or no-hands. I think that it is fair to say that recumbent bikes have a very loyal & bordering on cult following." -
http://www.bikesoup.com/guides
09-FEB-2015
Rhodies in the Rain
It's been raining all day. So no walk for me today. I will make use of the treadmill instead, but it's sure not as fun! My photo for today is a shot of the rhododendron in bloom in our front yard. I shot the picture from the porch. :) Lots of blossoms like this on the bush!
10-FEB-2015
Splish, Splash, I Was Taking A Bath!
Have you ever seen a Great Blue Heron take a bath? I got to see one today, and got several really nice shots, after spending time just waiting for some action.
This one shows the heron really immersed in it all! Great fun!
11-FEB-2015
In Clearwater Park
I liked the light in these woods at Clearwater Park. It was fun wandering there. Clearwater Park lies on the north side of the Willamette River. It is managed by Willamalane Park District in Springfield, OR
12-FEB-2015
Regal Bald Eagle
I took a walk at Delta Ponds and saw a few of the regular birds plus a couple pairs of Greater Scaups. But I was disappointed that I had nothing special to take home with me. As I walked the path heading for my car, a young man came running after me and asked if I saw the bald eagle a ways back. Since it was on another part of the path from where I walked I hadn't seen it. I went back because I always get excited to see another eagle. Sure enough it was high in a tree right above the path. I was so pleased that I got photos of it before going home that it is my choice for photo of the day. It is good to see that the bald eagles have returned to our area and are nesting here.
"The Bald Eagle has been the national emblem of the United States since 1782 and a spiritual symbol for native people for far longer than that. These regal birds aren’t really bald, but their white-feathered heads gleam in contrast to their chocolate-brown body and wings. Look for them soaring in solitude, chasing other birds for their food, or gathering by the hundreds in winter. Once endangered by hunting and pesticides, Bald Eagles have flourished under protection."
13-FEB-2015
Light in the Night`
Well, it is actually a yard light in early morning, but that doesn't rhyme. LOL I saw this light on an early morning walk and was attracted to it. Attraction leads to composing a photo, and so you have it, for better or for worse. Me? I like it a lot. :)
14-FEB-2015
Spring is Coming to Skinner Butte
I climbed Skinner Butte today. It's not very high but it's not far from Alton Baker Park and I decided to walk over to Skinner Butte Park and go up to the top of the butte. I saw a lot of early growth on the trail to the top. It is sure beginning to look like spring. These buds and blossoms are evidence of that.
15-FEB-2015
Willamette River - Thread in the Tapestry of the Willamette Valley
It is always wonderful to get a sunny day in Western Oregon in the wintertime. Especially is this true along the Beautiful Willamette River, described by one of our Governors as "the thread in the tapestry of the Willamette Valley." This is a view of the Willamette River from Clearwater Park in Springfield.
16-FEB-2015
The King on His Throne
I am sorry, but I just had to post another image of a Bald Eagle. I just love its elegant pose. I saw the eagle land in a tree in Delta Ponds and got to a spot for this shot. I used my little Nikon 1 V2 with the matching Nikon 1 70-300mm VR, a tiny but ultra sharp lens. On the little V2 with its 2.7x crop factor, I get an equivalent 810mm image at the long end of the zoom. Even at that I still had to crop the image by half, so the result is amazingly good to me.
17-FEB-2015
Getting Ready to Square Dance
I saw these boots and skirt in a store window and imagined a beautiful western cowgirl getting ready for the square dance.
If you look long enough perhaps you will see her too!