18-SEP-2015
Dedication Day on top of Spencer Butte
You might remember my PAD and story last Friday when I hiked 6 miles up and back down Spencer Butte. It was a very tough day. See the story accompanying my 9/11 PAD. I doubted I would make the climb again. Well, that thought lasted less than a week! The dedication of the rebuilt trail to the top was today, instead of last week as I thought. I just couldn't miss it and an opportunity to see Carrie and Kelly, my friends at Eugene Parks, which hosted the event. So I did it again, this time with my friend, John! This time I found a much shorter route. So I hiked about 2 miles instead of 6, but still a very steep climb. Anyway, I made it and enjoyed spending some time at the top.
What was accomplished in this project is amazing! There is a beautiful trail and some stone steps up there near the top, where I got lost for a bit several years back. The trail at the top then was indistinct and unmarked. Now it is wonderful, a real credit to Eugene Parks and Open Spaces! My photo today shows some of those who worked on this project as they got ready to pose for the photographer in the foreground.
The other photo shown is of a group heading for the top after the dedication program. There was a steady flow of visitors on the trail today!
And hey, I made it twice in the last couple weeks! Not bad for 79! The moral of the story is - never say, 'never again'!
17-SEP-2015
Everyone Loves Lupines!
Do a search on the Internet and you will find many references to this admired flower. It seems to be a favorite, whether in the wild or in gardens. I saw this one in a flower garden along the Riverbank Trail.
19-SEP-2015
View of Eugene From Top of Spencer Butte
I liked this scene of a couple enjoying the view, looking north over Eugene from the top of Spencer Butte. It seems like the top of the world up there, though the butte is only 2050 feet high.
20-SEP-2015
One of Our Beautiful Granddaughters
Our granddaughter wanted me to shoot some pictures of her in costumes of characters she created on her blog. I shot a number of photos, mostly of different full length poses, but was taken with her eyes in this image. She makes me think of a Disney model here.
A shot of Carol shooting her picture with an iPad is here:
21-SEP-2015
The Colorful Downy Woodpecker
I am always thrilled to see any woodpecker as I find them elusive. I often hear them in trees on my photo walks, especially along the rivers or in wooded areas around ponds and elsewhere. The colorful Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America and common and widespread, except in the arid southwest. This little beauty was seen at Delta Ponds this morning.
22-SEP-2015
A Beauty in the Spotlight
I thought all the elements of this image fit together well in just the right kind of light to give the appearance of a graceful performer in center stage! The pose of the Great Egret and the rings in the water, plus the lighting, made me want to applaud the performer. And the egret did have something to dance about! When I brought the full sized image up on the big screen of my monitor I could see the tailfins of a fish. That's why its mouth looks that way. It hasn't quite got all of the fish in its throat. But it soon went down and the performance was over. It took place at Delta Ponds.
23-SEP-2015
My Favorite Gardener
We put in a garden this year, a few things like tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini. And then we had plenty of delicious grapes too. They all taste so much better home grown! Or was it the pretty green thumb of my now 73 year old wife? She diligently watered the garden, while I took care of the rest of the watering. I think it was her magic touch that made the plants flourish. Here she is, delighted with another load of produce!
I am listening to the song, 'You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings' by Roger Whittaker, a fitting song for my little lady -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkbHFCVbq4M
24-SEP-2015
Is there Trouble in the Wood Duck Family?
I saw this Wood Duck pair at Delta Ponds and it looked like the male was giving some serious feedback to the female. Perhaps she was too nice to the other male nearby, who knows. He doesn't look too happy. But then, maybe I am misreading the situation. I couldn't hear what he was saying. :)
25-SEP-2015
Fern in Focus
Ferns are plentiful in Oregon forests. They beautify the forest floor, carpeting it in lush green. I love the fern and when I saw this fern focused with sunlight I had to make a photo of it. I like the result. Photo made at Delta Ponds.
26-SEP-2015
Northwest Tree Hugger
This little guy at Delta Ponds was just curious enough to stop and allow me a couple photos before he scampered on up the tree. I thought it made a nice portrait.
27-SEP-2015
Path Through the Scotch Broom
Scotch Broom is a pretty bush, especially when in bloom. But it has spread widely in Oregon and Washington during my lifetime. I was interested in its history in Oregon and learned some interesting things.
"Scotch broom was widely planted in Western Oregon for dune
stabilization and as an ornamental along highway corridors. It is now the most
extensive forest weed species and a significant source of pollen effecting allergy
sufferers." See:
http://www.oregon.gov/oda/shared/Documents/Publications/Weeds/ScotchbroomProfile.pdf
28-SEP-2015
State Game Wardens Ready to Patrol the River
I happened to be at Clearwater Park at the time when a couple of Oregon's Game Wardens (State Police) were getting ready to patrol the Willamette River and check on fishermen, etc. I asked them about their boat because I heard it as one of them checked it out on the river, and it sounded powerful. They told me that it had a 350 Chevy in it. Lots of power for that boat! It's fast! It also has an outboard motor for shallow water. Here they are just about to pull away.
