03-JUL-2016
A Little Bit Tattered
This Swallowtail Butterfly looks a bit tattered but it is still beautiful, nonetheless. They are really attracted to this Butterfly Bush on our oldest daughter's place.
Interesting point about the hole in the wing. I got this message from a friend:
"After I added a comment, I looked at the image again closely and it looks like the missing piece of the right wing is stuck onto the left wing. Perhaps it closed it's wings and the piece stuck and tore it out. What a you think? - Greg"
04-JUL-2016
Tightrope Walker
The Great Blue Heron is such a fascinating creature! It does so many different things and does them well. At the same time, it looks ungainly and cumbersome, which belies its beauty in flight, its skills and catching fish and its ability to maintain balance in trees, whether standing on one foot for a long time or move about on limbs or small branches. Another wonder of nature! I caught this one in early morning light at Delta Ponds.
05-JUl-2016
Just a Leaf on the Sidewalk
Some things are so ordinary, and we take them for granted. But have you looked for the beauty that might be there? That is true of a leaf on the sidewalk. It's just a leaf, and when it falls we rake it up and discard it. But I see beauty in the leaf, pure artwork with order and design. It really is a thing of beauty, even after it falls and the colors begin to change. I paused to see the beauty so I could share it with you.
06-JUL-2016
Pretty Clouds Over the Ponds
On a beautiful sunny day, the clouds in the sky over the Delta Ponds were beautiful. I couldn't resist getting a shot of one of the ponds with the clouds in the background.
07-JUL-2016
Spring Colors in the Garden
It's raining in Western Oregon. Hooray! It was getting pretty dry. Of course, some are not too happy to see the rain, perhaps including the big crowd at Hayward Field attending the US Olympic Trials. For all those not so happy to see the rain, I present this photo of brilliant spring colors in a neighborhood garden. Yes, the colors were that brilliant in the bright sunlight!
08-JUL-2016
Oh, Those Beautiful Eyes!
I played deer whisperer today and took my favorite drive where I most often see deer. Sure enough, I saw several deer, and even was able to get out of the car and shoot some pictures as three of them grazed nearby. One raised up and looked right at me, long enough for a few photos, then went back to grazing. I just love their eyes! It was a fun morning.
09-JUL-2016
Kids Love the Ducks at Alton Baker Park
Anytime you visit Alton Baker Park, you will see lots of resident ducks as well as geese. And the kids just love them! Can't you see the fascination and joy this little guy is feeling at seeing all those ducks? And his Dad is right there to record the scene with his handy Smart Phone! It is so easy for parents to get pictures of their kids today. Back in film days there was a lot more frustration when you got the prints back from the lab, only to see mostly failures and misses of the wonderful moments you tried to capture. Viva digital! Now we can review the results on the spot and reshoot if we need to!
10-JUL-2016
In The Ponds
Another scene from Delta Ponds.
11-JUL-2016
Rapids
These rapids in a small stream, not far from Corvallis Oregon, looked interesting to me, especially the nice colors. They weren't big but didn't need to be to get my attention.
12-JUL-2016
Green Heron's Bad Hair Day
This Green Heron was on a log nearby the walkway in Delta Ponds. It remained there a good long time. I watched it a while, then finally went on to see other things in the Ponds. But not before it fluffed itself all up and moved down the log. I caught this interesting pose, making this morning's trip worthwhile. :)
13-JUL-2016
You Meet The Nicest People!
Yes, you do meet the nicest people on the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail! The trail runs for miles along the Willamette River and connects Eugene and Springfield. The 12 mile Eugene section passes through several parks, including Delta Ponds. It was here that I met this nice quartet of ladies. Their interesting shirts caught my eye. They explained that the words were the motto of a doctor they all had in common who died suddenly just recently. He must have been a good doctor and kind man for them to have such pleasant memories of him. It was great to meet them on the trail.
14-JUL-2016
Blessed With a Bit of Rain!
I got soaked on a neighborhood walk. In the middle of my walk it started pouring! But I wouldn't have got this image if it hadn't rained!