27-JUL-2016
Contortionist
Great Blue Herons live here year-round. Green Herons have been here for a month or two now. But I have seen only one Great Egret so far. I saw it this morning at Delta Ponds and it was preening. It got into some interesting contortion, like this pose.
Here is a quote about the Great Egret from The Cornell Lab of Orthinology All About Birds:
"The elegant Great Egret is a dazzling sight in many a North American wetland. Slightly smaller and more svelte than a Great Blue Heron, these are still large birds with impressive wingspans."
"Great Egrets were hunted nearly to extinction for their plumes in the late nineteenth century, sparking conservation movements and some of the first laws to protect birds." (Something I hadn't known)
28-JUL-2016
Fair Young Maiden
Carol and I took our granddaughter, Kendahl, and grandson, Brevyn, on a day trip to the Coast today. We spent time in Old Town Florence and had a good time. This picture of our beautiful girl was taken at the Travelers Cove, where we ate lunch.
We also had a nice visit with Carol's brother, Dale, and his wife, Sandy. Then we went to the beach. The wind was blowing so hard that that sand was flying. The sand hurt when it hit our skin. We didn't last long. It was cool on the beach and a bit foggy, but still a welcome relief from the 96 deg. F back home in the valley.
29-JUL-2016
At Heceta Beach
The beaches along the Oregon Coast are, for the most part, available to the public to enjoy. Heceta Beach, north of Florence, at one location, near Driftwood Shores Resort, is accessible by a path that leads to the beach from a parking area. We tried to go down to the beach to explore, but the wind was really blowing and we had to give up. Before leaving I shot a few pictures, hoping that no sand would get to the lens. This is one of the images.
30-JUL-2016
Siuslaw River Bridge
The City of Florence, on the Oregon Coast, is a fine tourist stop. There are several interesting places one can take time to see. One of these is the Siuslaw River Bridge, or Florence Bridge as many call it. The bridge is currently being repaired and restored.
This bridge - "is one of several remarkable bridges built along Hwy. 101 as it follows the Oregon Coast. Conde Balcom McCullough (1887-1946) was the notable State Bridge Engineer for the Oregon State Highway Department from 1919 to 1935. During McCullough’s tenure as bridge engineer, Oregon developed one of the most impressive collections of beautiful and efficient bridge in the United States. Over the course of two years McCullough’s staff completed the design and construction of five major coastal crossing all measuring between 1600 to 5400 feet in length. The bridges were designed with many of the architectural details that have made McCullough’s bridge some of the most beautiful in the world." (
http://bridgehunter.com/category/builder/conde-b-mccullough/
31-JUL-2016
Restaurant Mural, Old Town Florence
This mural graces the end of a restaurant in Historic Old Town Florence. Of course, seafood is the specialty.
About Old Town, the Florence Chamber of Commerce said - "Nestled along the Siuslaw River, Historic Old Town Florence offers lovely, unique, fun shopping and dining to locals and tourists. It’s all blended with colorful and creative art galleries, the quaint path through Gazebo Park to the river, and the Siuslaw River Bridge Interpretive Center, where you can sip a cup of coffee or a cool drink at riverside tables while you listen to the call of the sea gulls flying over the fishing boats as they pass under famous Siuslaw Bridge."
"Many of the buildings have fascinating history, and the streets are now enhanced with beautiful flower boxes, ornamental streetlights and benches for relaxing."
01-AUG-2016
Royalty - Lady Kingfisher
I was absolutely thrilled to get this image of a female Kingfisher today! You cannot stalk them, they are very elusive and wary of humans. Getting this image was not easy. I had to check out the places I sometimes see them, and then patiently wait, something difficult for me to do. But I forced myself to be still and see if I could see one. Fortunately for me, another visitor to Delta Ponds passed by me and walked on down the path I was on. Evidently he spooked a female kingfisher, and it flew my way, landing on a nearby tree, a perfect spot for me to get some good shots of it. I showed a photo of the bird to him when he came back by. :) The Belted Kingfisher is one of my favorite birds. With most birds, the male is the most colorful. But the lady kingfisher has distinctive features, plus an air of elegance!
Here is what the Cornell Lab of Orthnithology All About Birds has to say:
"With its top-heavy physique, energetic flight, and piercing rattle, the Belted Kingfisher seems to have an air of self-importance as it patrols up and down rivers and shorelines. It nests in burrows along earthen banks and feeds almost entirely on aquatic prey, diving to catch fish and crayfish with its heavy, straight bill. These ragged-crested birds are a powdery blue-gray; males have one blue band across the white breast, while females have a blue and a chestnut band."
"•The Belted Kingfisher is one of the few bird species in which the female is more brightly colored than the male. Among the nearly 100 species of kingfishers, the sexes often look alike. In some species the male is more colorful, and in others the female is."
02-AUG-2016
Curiosity
One thing I love about deer is their curiosity. This doe is keeping an wary eye on me, but can't help being curious too. Their curiosity is a good thing and a bad one too. Why? Well, with the wrong intruder it can be a life and death matter. Many times I have seen them run a ways and then stop to look back out of curiosity. That can give anything that preys on them an opportunity, but it also can make for fun photographs.
03-AUG-2016
Job Opening
That's what I thought of when I saw this flag. Perhaps they have a job opening and I could seek adventure in far off ports. Do you think I should apply? Photo made in Old Town Florence, OR.
04-AUG-2016
Heart Patient Reunion
I recently received an invitation to a patient reunion for those who had surgery at McKenzie/Willamette Hospital Heart, Lung & Vascular Center. So Carol and I attended the event today. A large group was there. The surgeon who performed my heart surgery and actually saved my life, was there to talk with the group and take questions. We enjoyed a picnic lunch, a raffle as well as 'a walk with the doc'. Very enjoyable event. Carol was able to grab a shot of me with Dr. Armitage. It's good to be alive!
05-AUG-2016
Juvenile Osprey
There is so much to learn about birds. A case in point is the osprey. I have been watching some ospreys lately and so looked online for ID information about adults and juveniles. Here is what I learned - A mature osprey has chocolate brown upperparts with no wing bars, mottling or other distinguishing markings. A juvenile osprey, however, will have buff or whitish edging to the feathers that can give it a scaly look, like you see in this photo.
The osprey is sometimes called fish eagle, sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk.
06-AUG-2016
Learning to Share
This Green Heron and Pond Turtle (I think it is) were sharing a log at Delta Ponds. I thought they made a good pair. I enjoy the wonders of nature so much, and Delta Ponds has a nice variety, if you can find them.
07-AUG-2016
A Girl I am Sweet On!
I haven't posted a photo of Carol recently, so thought I would share this one.