20-APR-2017
The Beguiling Bushtit
I saw this female Coastal Bushtit in Delta Ponds and felt fortunate to capture it with my camera. They are very active and are not still for long. You will see them moving about in low branches of vegetation in woodlands, pond edges, and parks, where they search for insects and some seeds.
"•Bushtits are social birds that live year-round in flocks of 10 to 40 birds. They range widely in winter, sometimes moving considerable distances to escape cold weather. When nesting, a pair usually tolerates other flock members near the nest.
•The oldest known Bushtit was a female, and at least 9 years, 1 month old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California."
21-APR-2017
Log Rolling Contest
A very crowded log in Delta Ponds. It looks like they are having a log rolling contest. I think all of the turtles are Red-eared Sliders, which seem to be taking the ponds over from the native Pond Turtles.
According to USGS - "The Red-eared Slider's indigenous range broadly covers the midwestern states and extending as far east as West Virginia and a disjunct (relict) population in southern Ohio, as far west as eastern New Mexico, and as far south as south of the Rio Grande River into northeastern Mexico."
Release of pets has caused their increased presence in other areas.
22-APR-2017
Approaching Eagle Creek Recreation Area
We went along our with daughter, Angie, to keep her company when she drove to Pendleton, close to 320 miles away, to look at a horse she saw on the Internet. And we came back today. On the way up the Columbia River Gorge from Portland, we went through this tunnel. This area of the Gorge is lush and beautiful. I grabbed a couple shots through the windshield as we went through the tunnel, but I liked best this one as we came out of it. Forgive the gray sky, but it was raining. Oh, and Angie was driving. :)
23-APR-2017
Angie and Goldie
This is a photo of Angie with Goldie, the horse we went to Milton-Freewater to meet. Goldie is a Quarter Horse/Arabian and is palomino colors. She still has her winter coat and will turn darker gold by summer.
Angie and Goldie got along just fine and we also met Dale McKain, who has had her for several years. We really enjoyed our visit with both! It was a great trip. Angie will be bringing Goldie here to live in June. She is real sweetie and a beauty.
24-APR-2017
The Eye of Goldie!
I shot a number of pictures of the beautiful Arabian/Quarter Horse that our daughter, Angie, is getting. I just loved her eyelashes. So here is the Eye of Goldie! I felt like reaching out to remove that eyelash in the corner of her eye, but didn't dare to. She didn't know me yet.
25-APR-2017
Was It Something I Said?
Goldie expressing herself. Perhaps that is what she thought about me taking her picture! :) By the way, that's one of her sons in the background.
26-APR--2017
Great Egret Starting to Show Breeding Plumage
This beautiful Great Egret, seen at Delta Ponds, is beginning to show its breeding plumage. They "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."
Above quote from 'All About Birds' More COOL FACT -
"The pristinely white Great Egret gets even more dressed up for the breeding season. A patch of skin on its face turns neon green, and long plumes grow from its back. Called aigrettes, those plumes were the bane of egrets in the late nineteenth century, when such adornments were prized for ladies’ hats."
27-APR--2017
Not So Gently Flows the Water
We are having a record year for rainfall, as evidenced in today's photo. But brighter days are ahead. Tomorrow is supposed to be a sunny day, can you believe it? And Saturday too. I don't know about after that, but for the next few days I am going to soak in the sun if I can.
28-APR--2017
Close Encounter of an Unusual Kind
We had wonderful weather this morning, so I headed for Delta Ponds, where I spend a lot of time. While on my morning walk to four of the Ponds, I had a most unusual meeting. I was on a high bank overlooking the north pond when a turkey vulture landed on the bank just below me. It was about 10-15 feet away. I thought, hey it couldn't be after me, though in the photo it is looking right at me! Sure enough there was a dead bird just below, which I finally saw it picking at. But it was still quite a surprise to have the vulture swoop down and land so close by. I had to back off to 200mm to get it in the picture.
29-APR-2017
Not a Snake in the Grass!
While enjoying a walk on the Pre Trail, I flushed a pheasant. Leave it to me to usually see the back end of a bird as it exits. This time, the pheasant flew into some tall grass a short distance away. I was able to zoom in on it with my P900 and get to see most if him. They are such pretty birds and I don't get to see many of these colorful subjects.
Interesting fact about the China Pheasant. Of course, they were imported to the US from China. But what is really interesting to me is that the first place to which they were brought was right here in the Eugene/Springfield area. It was a judge from the local area who did so, and his farm was located on Game Farm Road.
30-APR-2017
Path and Bridge in Delta Ponds
Delta Ponds is a special place for one to enjoy nature in the midst of Eugene. One sees a variety of wildlife, particularly birds. And there are trails throughout for exploring the large area and to get exercise. Here is an example of the pretty scenes one can delight in while there. It was good to get back out there to enjoy it all. We have had a few nice days after a long stretch of lots of rain.
01-MAY-2017
My Little Trooper is at it again!
Carol has been having some problems during the last week or so and it got bad today. So I took her to ER and she is in the hospital for at least a couple days. They are getting fluid off her lungs tonight and will work to get her heart back in rhythm in the morning. Our daughter, Angie, took this picture of the two of us in her room in the heart center. She is a real trooper, having so much to deal with. Not a good way to start May off.