"The Coast Douglas Fir reaches maturity and begins producing cones at 12 to 15 years old. The male cones are usually about 2 centimeters long and are a yellow or dark red color. The female cones are a bit larger at about 3 centimeters long and are green or dark red in color. The female cones have large bracts and can start pollination soon after they develop. By mid-September the cones have fully matured and the seeds have ripened. The mature cones are then 8 to 10 centimeters in size and the bracts turn brown once the seed is also mature. Once cone maturity is reached seed fall begins. By the end of October 2/3 of the total amount of seeds have fallen and by the following spring the rest of the seeds will have fallen. The number of cones produced each year is dependent on numerous variables. It depends heavily on the number of primordia that develop into actual buds. Harsh frosts and insects are also responsible for destroying the seed cones before they reach maturity. Older trees have the advantage of producing more cones then the younger ones. ." Quote from - http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/cook_morg/Reproduction.htm

Great Egret at Delta Ponds

"The Great Egret is a large heron with all-white plumage. Standing up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall, this species can measure 80 to 104 cm (31 to 41 in) in length and have a wingspan of 131 to 170 cm (52 to 67 in)....Apart from size, the Great Egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet..." (Wikipedia)

This is one of Carol's German porcelain figurines. I think she is very pretty.

Information from online - "The figure was made by WAGNER AND APEL (W & A) GmbH, PORCELAIN FIGURINES LIPPELSDORF, LIPPELSDORF54, 98743 GRAFENTHAL/THUR. WAGNER & APEL (Thuringia, East Germany - 1877 to current day), a fine company making beautiful wares."

This was written about a different figurine but I think it fits here too. :) - "You only have to look to see the beauty of this piece - the pose, the color, the intricacy and flow of the modeling. Germany was the front runner in producing European hard-paste porcelain as early as 1710. This piece is new in comparison, but a stunning item all the same."

The sunlight was starting to shine through the fog, giving this effect as I drove out of the forest.

Our middle daughter gave us a tall figurine that now resides with us. Carol dressed her up with new hair and a tray full of drinks. It's nice to have her around. :) Should I call her 'Carol the 2nd'?

By the way, I got a new focusing screen for the old D1x and we are up and running again!

Western Oregon is having a rainy spell to start November, which is usually a wet month. But remember, that's what keeps Oregon green! Sometimes it rains hard!