29-SEP-2015
Greater Yellowlegs on the Hunt for Food
I saw Greater Yellowlegs at Delta Ponds in the spring and early summer. Now I am seeing them here again in the fall. I have a hard time telling the greater from the lesser yellowlegs. But after checking "All About Birds" it appears to me this one is a Greater Yellowlegs, unless someone shows me differently. :)
This is what Wikipedia shows as the Greater Yellowlegs:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_yellowlegs#/media/File:Greater_Yellowlegs2.jpg
30-SEP-2015
Western Pond Turtle
Around the world the turtle is in trouble. But I was happy to read that through efforts such as those by the Oregon Zoo in Portland and the Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife, the population of the Western Pond Turtle in Oregon is rising. I love to see all wildlife in their natural settings.
01-OCT-2015
Look Out Below!
I saw some Bushtits congregating below a bridge at Delta Ponds, where water and flowers were found and some large bushes nearby to hide in. They seemed to like this spot. I stood there for a while till they got comfortable with my presence. Then I shot pictures as they moved quickly to the rocks and water and just as quickly flew back to the safety of the bush. It was fun to watch them, though they are pretty small birds for my eyes. I got this shot of one coming in for a landing with two others in the landing zone. No mishaps to report!
02-OCT-2015
Aging Gracefully
This beautiful flower, aging gracefully as we move into October, was part of a lovely yard along the Riverbank Trail, north of Delta Ponds. Wish that was happening to me. LOL Of course, the glory of a flower lasts only a year, while we humans can build a life's record over decades of living. May we do it with grace and dignity.
06-AUG-2015
The Big Eye!
I saw this skipper butterfly in tough mixed light and tried a shot, hoping to get detail in both highlights and shadow. I love the photo because of that big eye and the long black tongue hiding in the flower, which I believe belongs to a thistle.
04-OCT-2015
Delta Ponds Pedestrian Bridge
We haven't had many days with dark clouds this year but this scene is from a day when we did. This is the Delta Ponds Pedestrian Bridge, which leads to Delta Ponds from a nearby neighborhood.
05-OCT-2015
Study in Contrasts
I couldn't resist this composition of colors, lines, angles, shapes and forms, thinking it would make a pleasing image. I do like the result.
06-OCT-2015
European Starling - Actually Quite Beautiful
I saw this beauty at Alton Baker Park.
Did you know that European Starlings were first brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the Nineteenth Century? It's true!
I learned some fascinating facts about birds online at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds - "Though they’re sometimes resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, they’re still dazzling birds when you get a good look. Covered in white spots during winter, they turn dark and glossy in summer."
07-OCT-2015
Delta Ponds Scene
This scene shows one reason why I love Delta Ponds. Eugene Parks has done a great job restoring this area as a park for our enjoyment. One always sees quite a few people taking walks, bird watching, or just relaxing in the pleasant surroundings. Two of my very favorite people with Eugene Parks and Open Space are Carrie and Kelly! But the whole staff is tops!
08-OCT-2015
Egret Pond Ballet
You have no doubt heard of the 'Swan Lake Ballet', a beautifully performed classic ballet. Well, here we have the Egret Pond Ballet, just as beautiful, and impressively performed without music. The performance was given at Delta Ponds this morning.
09-OCT-2015
Fishing the Willamette at Clearwater Park
I thought this colorful fall scene, including fisherman along the Willamette River at Clearwater Park, would make a good photograph.
I like it, what do you think?
10-OCT-2015
Early Morning Coffee
I woke up early this morning and decided to go out for some dawn photos. Here is one of them for all those, like me, who need a cup of coffee to start the day.
Sorry, it isn't open yet! :). And I had my coffee before leaving home!