09-AUG-013
Caught in Flight!
I was elated to capture this Barn Swallow in flight at Alton Baker Park. They are so fast I never thought I would be able to get one with its wings outstretched like they are here. I am just not as quick as I used to be! But I am very pleased, even though circumstances made it quite difficult to get a sharp image.
08-AUG-2013
The Simpsons Eating out In Sprngfield
For further proof, the above is a photo of the Simpsons eating out in Springfield, Oregon.
07-AUG-2013
Some Kind of Duck! Which?
As I approached the water's edge at Delta Ponds, this duck went speeding across the water. I mean it was fast! It is really making waves! :)
It looks different from the usual ducks I see there. I am sure it isn't a mallard, its head colors and feathers seem to be different, as does the beak. What is it?
06-AUG-2013
The Egret Has Landed
This is the first Great White Egret I have seen at Delta Ponds since spring. I was able to catch it in nice early morning light.
05-AUG-2013
Radiant Rose
This wild rose (Rosa pratincola) is just lovely in my book. We find them growing in the parks and other wild areas.
It has been chosen as a state flower by some states, such as Iowa. This poem was written about it.
THE ROSE OF IOWA.
[Copyright applied for by S. H. M. Byers.]
Hast seen the wild rose of the West,
The sweetest child of morn ?
Its feet the dewy fields have pressed,
Its breath is on the corn.
The gladsome prairie rolls and sweeps
Like billows to the sea,
While on its breast the red rose keeps
The white rose company.
The wild, wild rose whose fragrance dear
To every breeze is flung,
The same wild rose that blossomed here
When Iowa was young.
O, sons of heroes ever wear
The wild rose on your shield,
No other flower is half so fair
In loves immortal field.
Let others sing of mountain snows,
Or palms beside the sea,
The state whose emblem is the rose
Is fairest far to me.
04-AUG-2013
Sunflowers In Delta Ponds?
Someone had to plant these sunflowers in Delta Ponds. How they got out there I am not sure, not impossible but difficult. They do get one's attention. :)
03-AUG-2013
Great Lakes Biplane Replica
I visited the Stearman Fly-in in Cottage Grove this afternoon and was really impressed with this Great Lakes Biplane Replica built in 1996. The owner flew up from Roseburg and stopped to fuel up. I enjoyed visiting with him briefly. I really love the plane, certainly a favorite of mine.
The Waco Great Lakes biplane was the model Tex Rankin, Carol's great-uncle and world champion stunt pilot, flew for many of his stunts. What a plane!
02-AUG-2013
Spotlight On Art
On my early morning drive this morning, I saw this window display at an art gallery in downtown Eugene.
I liked how the light spotlighted the center art piece. It was my favorite image from the dark time excursion.
01-AUG-2013
Gorgeous Green Heron
The green heron is one of only two types of herons we see here in Oregon. The green heron is more rarely seen. I see the Great Blue Heron often as they pretty much stay year round and have nesting trees here. We have seen the Green Heron much less. Over the last few years I have seen only a few. This year, however, I saw as many as five on one recent day. I believe they have a nest in Delta Ponds. Some of those I saw seemed pretty small. This green heron was only about 50-60 feet away from me, as I stood on the walkway through one of the Delta Ponds.
31-JUL-2013
Aerobatic Osprey
I came across a new osprey nest on the University of Oregon practice field. The University removed another nest that was on top of a light in the middle of the field. This one is on the edge and likely less of a problem to them So it remains and is used by a pair of osprey. When I came along, the osprey apparently didn't like me being there, across ths street from the nest. It flew overhead protesting. I shot some pictures and then moved on so as not to disturb it needlessly.
30-JUL-2013
Fight Or Flight!
The Great White Egrets are appearing at Delta Ponds again.
For some reason, the Great Blue Herons don't like them around. I have seen them chase egrets away.
Evidently, this egret thinks it is better to take flight than stay and face the heron.
29-JUL-2013
Great White Egret, Great Fisher!
Haven't seen a Great White Egret since spring. Looks like they might be coming back. Spotted this one fishing successfully across the pond At Delta Ponds. I was able to spotlight the egret in the sun while the shore was in the shade. It was a very difficult exposure because to the sunlit white of the egret's feathers.