26-Dec-2021
When the Storm First Hit
We had a snowstorm that began on December 26th and it snowed at times for a couple days. We ended up with more than 8 inches here. Other places around us got more, depending on their location. Snow, when it first starts to fall, is so beautiful the way it begins to coat the trees. I found this scene attractive.
20-DEC-2021
Great Blue Heron at Kirk Park
I am always glad to see my old friends, the herons. We have them here year round so I don't lack for seeing them. I find them fascinating, so big and graceful in the air. And the impressive wingspan of six feet fills me with wonder. On the ground they are skilled at fishing. I watched this one for a little while, until a fisherman came to the bank where I stood and scared it away.
17-Nov-2021
Fall Ferns
These ferns were across the fence from our yard and I watched them every day, admiring their golden color. Finally, I got my camera out and made a photograph of them for posterity. I thought they were beautiful.
(Dec 8 - I checked this morning and the ferns have faded and drooped. So it's the end for them this year.)
18-Nov-2021
Young Blacktail Deer
I enjoy the deer when they show up in the woods next door. They usually show up in the spring and appear at times on the mini ranch of our daughter's family, especially when the apples start falling. They stay around into the fall.
22-NOV-2021
Close Friends
Close friends are to be treasured, to be appreciated, to be personally connected to.
One definition of 'close friendship' is - "Close friendships are a step above casual acquaintances. You have bonded over shared interests, goals, or struggles, and put effort into making time for one another. You seek advice from your close friends, celebrate successes with them, and kick back and relax with them. These are probably the friends you spend the most time with." I have known these two for over 60 years and they are special!
25-Oct-2021
Fall Colors in the Coburg Hills
I shot this picture a few years ago in November. The fall colors up there were vivid. Fog and a dusting of snow added beauty to the scene, they did to me anyway. It is so fun to head up there with a 4-wheel drive, just in case the snow is deeper on the logging roads.
19-Oct-2021
In the Coburg Hills
I used to take drives into the Coburg Hills often. It was a way to get out into nature and come across scenes like this one. I love this scene with the light coming through the fog to paint the trees and road with colors. And I like the ground fog I see up there that adds atmosphere to the landscape. Wouldn't you want to capture this scene too? 🤠
15-Nov-2021
The Wonder of a Rose!
Every time I see a rose, and especially when I stop to focus on it for a photograph, I see the marvelous beauty and design of nature! Such a lovely thing as a rose can fill one with emotion and bring forth words to express it.
When I really "see" the beauty of the rose, I am moved by the tones of color and the delicate folds of the petals. As the rose nestles in the bed of green leaves and protective thorns I can't help but feel awe and respect for all the beautiful wonders of nature. They are all here for our enjoyment and to add beauty to our lives. No wonder that many, when they have a chance to get away, will seek out nature to relax and revive in such surroundings. And it is a desirable thing to bring nature to our homes with such things as the wonders of a rose! We have always had roses in our yard.
08-Oct-2021
Goldie and Me!
I read an article about self-portraits and thought I might have a go at it, just for the fun of it! So here you have it, Angie's horse, Goldie, and me! Sorry to make you suffer, but I have to look at me in a mirror every day! 🥺 At least Goldie got a kick out of it! I am ready for other subjects now! But that's a horse of another color!
03-Oct-2021
3:05 Precisely!
I thought that this wall in a close friend's home is quite attractive! The furniture piece is beautiful. And the time is 3:05 precisely!
28-Sep-2021
Geraniums
We have this beautiful flower pot full of geraniums on our front porch, one way we can have flowers in the midst of our drought. "Better Homes and Gardens" calls the geranium "A truly classic garden plant, geraniums have been a gardener's favorite for well over a century." It is certainly one of Carol's favorites. 👩🌾
20-Sep-2021
Backlit Leaf on Apple Tree
I was out in the yard a couple days ago in the afternoon and saw this leaf standing out as it was backlit by the late sun. I thought it was beautiful so I captured the memory in camera as well as in mind.
19-Sep-2021
DOUBLE THE FUN
I decided to play with mirrors for this shot of Carol at 60. I had forgotten about the photo shoot that day, so the photo was never processed or posted. Now we have been married 60 years. It's been fun.
08-Sep-2021
Granddaughter in the Spotlight
I recall a day when my granddaughter, Kailey, and I visited the Springfield City Hall and Library. While there we found this stairway lighted with spotlights from high in the ceiling. I figured it would make an interesting photo so made a shot or two. This is how it came out.
04-Sep-2021
The Sort of Day I am Wishing For!
We have had so many sunny days and warm weather that I forget what a day like this is like. Well, not really, but I love all sorts of weather, just so we don't get the extreme kind. A day like this means moisture in the air and a coolness about it. And it makes for interesting pictures. This is a scene out near Dexter, Oregon.
01-Sep-2021
A Favorite Photo of Carol
I shot this photo of Carol back in 2005 using a film camera, the Nikon N8008. I love the pose, her head cocked to the side, her sweet smile, and the glasses on her head. 😍
30-Aug-2021
Fanciful Flower
I really love this flower in my friends' yard. It looks delicious! 🤠 Not that I would eat it, it's just that it has some of my favorite colors. They go well with the background.
26-Aug-2021
Reaction!
I shot this photo back in 1976. The colors shades had faded and were no longer accurate. So I saved it as a B&W.
At this time, our youngest daughter, Katy, was just a few months old. She was a happy baby as you can see here! I love how they look like two of a kind! All three of our girls were happy babies and we had fun with them. How the years have passed so quickly!
23-Aug-2021
A Neighbor's Wheels!
We visited neighbors down the road from us. They had this wagon and a strange horse pulling it! 😁 Of course, I just couldn't pass that up as a photo op!
11-Aug-2021
Shadows on the Curtain
The weather has been hot so we have kept the curtains closed and the drapes pulled in order to keep the heat outside. It certainly helps the AC to do its job. But it also created interesting patterns as light leaked in between the drapes. I couldn't resist photographing it. Something unique to look at.
11-Aug-2021
A Friend's Birdhouse
This birdhouse, made by my friend who built the wagons, I found interesting and attractive. I hope the birds did too.
I don't remember if I saw any on it when I was there. Still, it's got character!
31-May-2021
Hovering!
I love these tiny creatures! They are so interesting and beautiful. According to information I could gather online, the wing beats per second while hovering are somewhere up to 80! Now, look at your watch and count off 1 second. During that time the hummingbird's wings are beating back and forth approximately 60-80 times! WOW! Also amazing, one source says that they hover about 90 % of their flying time, while feeding,
etc.
I think they are the only birds that can fly backwards too! There are a lot more interesting facts about the hummingbird to be found on the Internet. Another wonder of creation!
08-May-2021
A Friend's Front Yard
This is a scene of a friend's front yard from their driveway. The house and yard are actually behind these beautiful trees and flowers. The day in May when I shot the picture was not a bright sunny day, but those great colors show up well.
05-Jul-2021
Tiger Swallowtail
This butterfly is evidently a Swallowtail, which is identified by its bold yellow-and-black stripes, like that of a tiger. Varieties of the Swallowtail are found throughout the United States. I shot this today in our daughter's front yard. Seems like butterflies love lilac blossoms.
15-Jun-2021
Breeding American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch is a really beautiful little bird. It can be seen at some time of the year in most of the U.S. The Goldfinch is pretty much a vegetarian, preferring a diet of vegetation.
The Goldfinch is easy to attract to your backyard. Just put up a feeder or two, almost any kind of bird feeder will do, including hopper, platform, and hanging feeders. It doesn't care if the feeder is swaying with a breeze, and it loves sunflower seeds, also milkweed and thistle.
11-Jun-2021
Come To Me!
I think Carol is contemplating whether to try stepping on those blocks to come to me, or whether to have me come to her. I don't remember what happened, I just liked the picture of her peering at me between the trees at the end of the path.
08-Jun-2021
A Different Kind of Butterfly
Look at what I saw on the front porch the other day! It's a new one on me! If you have the ID for this butterfly, let me know! 🧐
01-Jun-2021
Highlighted
The flower and leaves here were highlighted by sunlight against the shade, which resulted in a composition that pleased me.🙃
31-May-2021
Hummingbird At Our Feeder
Hummingbirds are such fascinating little birds! For one thing, their heart rate can vary from about 250 beats per minute, when resting, to about 1200 beats per minute when feeding, as it is doing in my photo.
Normal heart rate for a human varies between 60 and 100. If it gets above 140 it is dangerous! What a difference in the tiny hummingbird! And hummingbird can normally have a body temperature of around 107 degrees Fahrenheit. Again, for a human that can be dangerous. There are a lot of other interesting facts about hummingbirds. Truly, this tiny (about 4 inch long) creature is one amazing bird!
We found it easy to mix our own hummingbird food using one part sugar to four parts water. One should not use honey or food coloring.
31-May-2021
We Bought a Garden Tractor!
Our daughter, Angie and son-in-law, Mike, have been looking for a good buy on a garden tractor. There is a lot of grass on four acres to mow. They found one and so we bought it. You can tell how delighted Angie is about it all! I am too! I tried it on for size and if fits. LOL Easy to drive also. Angie took a picture of me too but I don't look near as good! 🙂
29-May-2021
Great Egret Bathing!
The Great Egret is another of my favorite birds. Of course, it is related to the Great Blue Heron. But that's not all! It can be exquisitely beautiful and it is in this shot I got of one at Delta Ponds. It is bathing, its loveliness on display!
08-May-2021
A VERY STELLER JAY!
The Steller Jay is one fascinating bird. With its attractive colors and that marvelous crest on its head, the bird strikes an exceptional image! The Steller is also described as having an 'attitude', which is so true. It is bold, inquisitive and can be quite noisy. For all these reasons, I find them so interesting!
21-May-2021
I'm Happy! I Saw a Heron Today!
Many of you know that I love the Great Blue Heron, a magnificent bird with a six foot wingspan. When I needed to go to the Post Office today, I decided to go on farther and see how things were on the north side of the lake. I hoped to see some birds at Kirk Park, and sure enough a heron was there along the Long Tom fishing. I just had to get another photo or more to add to my collection.
18-May-2021
Just Stopped By to Say Hello!
Carol and I were sitting in line at Arby's when this Brewer's Blackbird landed on the driver's side rear view mirror. It sat there a minute or so looking at me, then took off. I was fortunate enough to capture it as it lifted off with my cell phone. This is NOT a screenshot. It is two different photos combined with software.
13-May-2021
60th Anniversary Photograph
Carol and I enjoyed our 60th wedding anniversary yesterday (the 13th). We did reminisce about the wedding and so many things that have happened since. Like I told a good friend, 'the time has passed like a blur!' But we don't just look back, we look ahead to continuing our happy life together and a happy future. (Photo by Angie)
07-May-2021
Our Neighbors are back, but only half of them!
The blacktail deer are showing up in the woods next door. Two youngsters today who are putting on a new coat. I liked how it looks like the deer is only half there! 😁
03-May-2021
The Two Banditos!
I was walking a path in Alton Baker Park when I came across this pair. They were not quick about leaving, instead were watching me closely. They probably were wondering what that strange creature was with the third eye in front of its face (my camera)! I moved on without telling them. 🧐
09-Apr-2021
The Girls and Their Horses
It is difficult to get a photo of Carol and Angie with Cloud and Goldie. The girls don't always want to have their pictures taken. 🧐 The horses? They don't care. I thought this one was cute, though I may get in trouble for posting it. It is a sweet moment.
20-Apr-2021
The Doctor's Wagon
I went back to get some more pictures of my friend, Don Bloom's wagon, specifically this 'doctor's wagon', all cleaned up and ready for sale. An older wagon that is similar sits in the background. Don does wonderful precision work on these wagons and has decided to part with them. there is a wonderful covered wagon that I posted previously, on April 11th. But this doctors wagon is also exquisite.
19-Apr-2021
Clematis, A Favorite Flower!
This gorgeous flower has to be one of my very favorites. The colors are so exquisite and the sunlit leaf adds lovely contrast. All in all, the flower pops!
18-Apr-2021
ONION MOUSE AND CHEESE
I made this photograph many years ago, in the 1950's. I still loved at home as a young single guy back then. When I saw this onion I thought it looked like a mouse, so I got the idea to make it look more like one and put it with some cheese on a plate. The moustache is real, part of the onion. The eye, ear and legs were added for effect.
It was made with a 35mm film camera and some color print film. I still like it. 😏
11-Apr-2021
WAGON RESTORATIONS
A good friend of ours, Don Bloom, is an individual who enjoys finding deteriorated old time wagons or parts of them and reconstructing them into wonderful masterpieces. He called me and said he was going to clean them up and sell them and, knowing I love to shoot pictures, invited me over to take some pictures. What you see here is an exquisite doctor's wagon, which include the doctor's case behind the seat. With it is a marvelous covered wagon with folding steps in the back and oak used in construction of the body. Other items include the old water barrel on the side.
In my opinion, he ought to be able to find buyers who will pay what they are worth. He has spent so much time on them restoring them to new condition that they are definitely worth a high price.
09-Apr-2021
Sunset in the Willamette Valley
We may not get the dramatic sunsets combined with an ocean view that they get on the Oregon Coast, but we do get fantastic ones at times. This one had me spellbound. When you see a sun setting, take time to enjoy the show. Stay and watch as the sky darkens and the scene gets more dramatic and the colors more intense. Continue until the sun disappears. Then you will see the entire show!
07-Apr-2021
Storm Clouds Over The Willamette River
I loved the layers of clouds here. The lower layer of clouds hang over the mountains, while the higher clouds drift in, blown by the wind. It spells a rainy day. That used to be a more common sight in Western Oregon, while we have had drought conditions for the last several years. That is what contributed to the largest wildfires in history for this area. We have had more rain this year, but still not enough to help this summer. Any rain is welcome however.
04-Apr-2021
Some Snow in the Coburg Hills
Compared with much of the country, we had a pretty mild winter here. North of us, around Portland, there were some days of hazardous conditions. The only snow we saw was in the Coburg Hills. There was enough there to show it was wintertime. It reminded me of photos I shot up there in the past. I enjoyed this drive.
01-Apr-2021
You Have My Spot!
This seagull seemed to feel that the street lights belonged to it. It wasn't timid about chasing the other gull off.
28-Mar-2021
Peacock Feather in Porch Light
Carol loves peacocks and we had one around here for a while. As a result, she has collected some peacock feathers with their gorgeous colors. A couple of them are on the back porch and I liked how they looked in the dim incandescent porch light.
23-Mar-2021
Well Dressed Sheep!
On the way to the Post Office this morning I saw these sheep on a nearby farm. I know there are "wolves in sheep's clothing" but I couldn't see one in this group. All I can say is that they sure dressed up the place.
15-Mar-2021
Bee and Tulip
I love tulips of all colors. They are usually brightly colorful and so lift the spirit. Just as we find them attractive, so do bees and other bugs. Nature is interactive, all working together to continue to beautify the earth. Spring is a wonderful time to get out and enjoy nature.
This photo was made with an old Nikon D1x with 5.4 MP resolution. Photos for billboards were also made with this camera in its day.
10-Mar-2021
Landing in a Nesting Tree
This is a favorite of my heron photos, showing how they come in for a landing. They are huge birds and amazingly agile. They can also be quite territorial.
07-Mar-2021
Anxious Encounter!
I was on safari walking a path through this plus region when all of a sudden I was met by a hostile elephant. How do I know 'hostile'? Look at those eyes!
OK, I am kidding! This beautiful elephant was a decoration in the elephant section of "Wildlife Safari", a wonderful wildlife park near Winston, Oregon. This is a drive through park where the animals roam free and people must stay in cages (their cars). A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
05-Mar-2021
Our Youngest Daughter, Katy 1978
Just a warning - Kids grow like weeds. Before you know it they have left the nest, and have families of their own. This is our youngest daughter, Katy, in 1978. 🧐 We had fun with all three of our girls. And we do have pictures of them when they were young to enjoy.
02-Mar-2021
Great Egret
I think the Great Egret is sublime when in flight. Sublime means "of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe." It is so graceful, with exquisite wing design and beauty of flight. Human developments in flight are poor imitations in my book.
23-Feb-2021
About Time to Set Up Housekeeping
We are fortunate to have Great Blue Herons here year round. And every year, they return to their nesting trees to raise a new family. As we get late into February, we approach that time again. No pandemic will upset that yearly occurrence, as we can see with this happy couple.
18-Feb-2021
Rough-legged Hawk
All of the online ID information I checked, including my favorite reference, "All About Birds", indicated this is the Rough-legged Hawk.
Included in the "Cool Facts" listed at -
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/.../Rough-legged_Hawk/overview - is this, "The name "Rough-legged" Hawk refers to the feathered legs. The Rough-legged Hawk, the Ferruginous Hawk, and the Golden Eagle are the only American raptors to have legs feathered all the way to the toes."
Marvelously designed, I believe, by our wonderful Creator.
16-Feb-2021
View of Mission Mountains From National Bison Range
On past trips to Montana, I was able to make two trips to the National Bison Range and saw lots of wildlife there. Of course the bison were magnificent. But so was the view one gets while making the the Red Sheep Mountain drive. This is a view of the Mission Mountains made from the road along the top. The highest point of Red Sheep Drive is 4,700 feet and the highest point in the range is just a bit higher, at 4,800 feet.
12-Feb-2021
Woods and Fog
This is some woods close to the downtown area of Eugene. In fact, the University of Oregon's Autzen Stadium is within sight of the woods. Still, it gives one the feeling of being somewhere away from the hustle of the city. I like the feel that fog in the background adds to the scene.
08-Feb-2021
Carol's Ballerina With Mirror
This figurine is numbered #794 and was made by Wagner & Apel, a company that started in Lippelsdorf, Germany in 1883. It is marked on the bottom with the W&A mark and crown, one of the earliest marks used up till 1935. So the figurine would have been made before that. The piece is from their 'Flesh Collection', named for the skin tones that look like real skin.
06-Feb-2021
Angie and Syndee 1965
July 1965 - Our firstborn, Angela, proud of her new baby sister, Cynthia. It was another ten years before our third daughter came along. We had fun with our three girls.
01-Feb-2021
Vocal Bald Eagle
This is a shot from a past shoot of a bald eagle was coming in for a landing on a tree in Delta Ponds in Eugene, OR. Perhaps it was announcing its arrival. I am not sure, I don't understand eagle talk.
29-Jan-2021
A Splash of Color
This Iris grew along the driveway at our place in Springfield. Perhaps we should plant some out here in the country. According to "The Old Farmer's Almanac", they are resistant to deer. 🦌 They are drought tolerant too!
27-Jan-2021
By the Light of an iPad Pro!
Believe it or not, this is Carol playing June's Journey by the light of her iPad Pro. She was in the living room with lights out, except for TV and the iPad. I was in our little study and looked around the corner. This is what I saw.
It's a good way to recover after Cardio-version. She has her follow-up visit to the heart doctor Feb. 1st.
25-Jan-2021
Angie and Her Dad (Me!) 1964
Angie here is 2 years old, a happy child who loved her mom and dad. One has such good memories of their children. Carol and I had three, all girls, who filled our lives with joy. Of course, I have pictures! I also had hair! 👨
23-Jan-2021
Great Egret
The Great Egret is also known as 'common egret, large egret, great white egret or great white heron' is a large bird with impressive wingspan, black legs and yellow bill. It is a bit smaller than a Great Blue Heron.
The egret is often seen in wetlands where it can be seen wading slowly or standing stock-still, peering intently at the water looking for fish. They can be found in many places in the world.
21-Jan-2021
American Bison
Another of my memories from Montana, this bison was photographed in the National Bison Range near Charlo.
The NBR is a National Wildlife Refuge that was established in 1908, and is one of the oldest National Wildlife Refuges in the United States. It is home to between 350 and 500 bison, besides a number of other wildlife species. The bison is a dangerous animal, the heaviest land animals in North America. It can be between 5 to 6.5 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh over a ton.
14-Jan-2021
My Friend, The Great Blue Heron
For some time now, I have been fascinated by this huge bird. It can seem ungainly on land but so graceful in flight. And with that six foot wingspan the heron can catch the updrafts and glide a good distance. What is so amazing to me is that it can stand up to four feel tall with those long legs, that long neck and large body, yet weigh only about five lbs. Another interesting feature of the heron can be seen in the photo, knees that bend backwards to ours! Also, the GBH can swallow large fish or even rodents as the neck expands to the size of the prey.
An amazing creature, one of many wonders in the natural world that fill us with admiration for the Source of all wisdom, our Creator!
13-Jan-2021
Welcome to Critter Creek Ranch
Angie's welcome sign beside the front gate of the place we live on. We are in a second house, but not the ranch hand's quarters!🤠 I grew up in the country until I moved to town with my parents while in high school. I do like country living. It's quieter and relaxing, just what old retired folks need.
12-Jan-2021
Bee Mine!
It's winter and we are getting a lot of welcomed rain, at least by me! It has been so dry here too long, and last summer's wildfires were the result. Hopefully, we won't have a repeat of that. But the cool rainy weather has made me think of the anticipated flowers of spring. One thing we need for growth is the activity of bees to do pollinating. 🕵️♀️
08-Jan-2021
Black-billed Magpie
Near as I can tell, this is a Black-billed Magpie. I got this photo of the bird on a trip to Montana a few years back. I have never seen one here in Oregon.
06-Jan-2021
In The Right Light
I saw this lone flower during a walk along the road by our place. The light accented the flower and the blurred background was just the right color. I was pleased with the result.
04-Jan-2021
Elephants At Wildlife Safari
A place I love to visit is Wildlife Safari, south of Roseburg, Oregon. They have a nice variety of animals in a natural setting where visitors drive through. Many are attracted to the elephants that one can see near the visitor center.
03-Jan-2021
Red-shouldered Hawk
I have been reviewing past shoots to eliminate any duplication or images that don't measure up. So you are going to be seeing some images from the past. An example is this shot of a red-shouldered hawk I shot in Montana. I remember that day and the photo made in 2006, and liked its perch on the barbed wire fence.
01-Jan-2021
Just Clowning Around
I was going to go out for a drive today, but it darkened and rained. So I stayed home and looked for a likely subject. I have this guy sitting on top of my computer, just clowning around. So I decided, 'what more fitting subject do I have than this one?' And what better way to start off the year?