19-Feb-2019
Just a Bit of Snow
How do you show the snowfall, especially when it is just a little bit of snowfall? I tried different options but none seemed to work, except this one. To me, it conveys the idea of something falling, something white, and the white in the small area to the right is a further suggestion. Our snowfall this year was not much to speak of. One day, the ground was covered when I got up, and I posted a shot showing the snow on our car. But here the snow on the ground was as little as that falling. So this ending up being my evidence that we had some snow falling on this day. :)
18-Feb-2019
On a Frosty Morning
On a frosty morning, the directional sunlight creates interesting back-light for this bird feeder. In the background, a group of wild turkeys feeds.
17-Feb-2019
Enjoying the View
I photographed these two trees and the scene beyond last month but, as much as I wished for a few people to show up, I was forced to do without human interest. Late this afternoon, I was pleased to find quite a few people enjoying a sunny day in the park. Also, it was great to see these two relaxing on the bench under the trees, while beyond them two others are walking their dog. It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
04-Feb-2019
The Exquisitely Elegant Egret
I can't think of any words, other than exquisite and elegant, that describe the Great Egret so well! Exquisite means 'extremely beautiful and delicate', while elegant means 'graceful and stylish in appearance'. How better could one be described?
Confirming my appraisal, 'All About Birds' (
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Egret/overview ) says about the Great Egret, "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."
15-Feb-2019
Sharing The Pond
After a trip to the store today, I went by Kirk Pond to see if the White Pelicans were there. Sure enough they were. They have been there every day that I checked by the last couple weeks. Much of the time, they are tightly grouped and in unison bobbing their heads under water feeding. After watching a while, I concluded they do that as a group to sort of herd the fish into a group that they can then catch. Alas, the feeding group has been too far away to get a good shot of, so for today I photographed a beautiful white pelican and a cormorant sharing the pond.
"American White Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants are often found together. They sometimes forage together (though they mainly hunt different fish and at different depths). Cormorants even nest individually or in groups within pelican colonies."
05-Apr-2017
White Crowned Sparrow
When people see sparrows, they usually dismiss them as common and nondescript ("lacking distinctive or interesting features or characteristics"). It is true sparrows are probably one of the most common of birds, yet the White Crowned Sparrow, like the Golden Crowned Sparrow, have distinctive contrasts in colors and are quite pretty. One's eye immediately goes to the black-and-white stripes on the head and the yellow bill. I find them quite attractive.
"Regional Differences" - "White-crowned Sparrows that breed along the Pacific Coast tend to have yellow bills and duller white head stripes. Birds that breed from Alaska to Hudson Bay tend to have orange bills and white or gray lores. Birds that breed east of Hudson Bay and in the Rockies tend to have pink bills with black lores that merge with the black head stripes."
"Habitat" - "Look for White-crowned Sparrows in places where safe tangles of brush mix with open or grassy ground for foraging. For much of the United States, White-crowned Sparrows are most likely in winter (although two races live year round in the West, along the coast and in the mountains)."
12-Feb-2019
White Pelicans at Kirk Pond
I always looked forward to seeing the White Pelicans in the wildlife area along Fern Ridge Lake, thinking that they migrated into the area. But I learned from friends with the local Audubon Society that there is a group of White Pelicans that remain here all year long. Sure enough, during the winter I have seen them in areas where I haven't seen them in other parts of the year, such as in Kirk Pond. It was raining, of course.
29-Jan-2019
Gone Fishing
It seems that quite a few older folks go fishing along Fern Ridge Lake. I liked this gentleman's pose as he prepared to cast.
09-FEB-2019
Decaying Log in Winter
It tried very hard to snow today here, but it only stuck around a short time. I thought this small, old decaying log was dressed up a bit by being edged by some white stuff.
I am sure that the nearby hills got their share of snow and are white. Now the temperatures are going to drop tonight by a good bit and we will have wet surfaces with ice on top. If so, I may not venture out in the morning, giving in to wisdom rather than valor. Used to be that at the first sign of snow, I would like to head to the hills, just to drive in the snow and take pictures. But, alas, one's perspective changes over time and as circumstances change.
08-FEB-2019
He's There Again!
On my way home from the store today, I looked for my friend, the Red-shouldered Hawk at his favorite spot on a wire along the road. Sure enough, he was there! It has to be a good spot for hunting! I was able to maneuver the car around to get a close shot, and was pleased with the result. So, here you are, another hawk photo. I can't help it, I never get tired of seeing them. It is always a thrill. This time of year the hawks seem to show up, in late fall and early winter. And this was a favorite spot for a hawk last year. Could it be the same one?
07-FEB-2019
Orchard in Winter
This is what the Filbert orchards around here look like in winter. But spring is coming. There are some bud pods visible on the trees. We do have things we can depend on; the seasons, water cycles, migrations, and many other things found in nature! Too bad we can't always depend on each other. :)
04-FEB-2019
Well, We Can Say We Got Some Snow!
Yes, I know! Compared with what the rest of the country has suffered through, this is hardly worth mentioning. But now we can say we got some snow this year.
Truth be told, it isn't that surprising to get snow in February, or even March or April.
The biggest snowfalls we have ever had came during January/February of 1969 when we ended up with 4 feet of snow on the ground. That was far from normal. Some years we have no snow at all. So when even a little bit ends up on the ground around here we do notice. And it is a real surprise to see snow on the Oregon Coast. But this week the beaches over there were covered with snow. Now that would have been a sight to see!