02-MAY-2017
Sleeping Beauty in the Land of Technology
I grabbed this shot of Carol sleeping in her high tech hospital bed with the vital signs monitor above her. It is simply amazing what they can discover with the new medical technology. They could easily watch her heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen level in the blood, and lots of other vital signs. She is being well cared for in the heart center at McKenzie/Willamette Hospital. They did a cardio version on her to get her heart back into rhythm, and are working to get fluid out of her lungs. The difference we saw in her after the heart procedure was impressive and positive.
03-MAY-2017
Yellow Rumped Warbler
I saw this Warbler at a good distance away in Delta Ponds last month. They are such pretty creatures! It was posed so nicely on that stalk that I just had to try to get some shots of it. This result is cropped a good bit.
Some COOL FACTS about Yellow-rumped Warblers from "All About Birds" (
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler/lifehistory}
"•Yellow-rumped Warblers are perhaps the most versatile foragers of all warblers. They're the warbler you're most likely to see fluttering out from a tree to catch a flying insect, and they're also quick to switch over to eating berries in fall. Other places Yellow-rumped Warblers have been spotted foraging include picking at insects on washed-up seaweed at the beach, skimming insects from the surface of rivers and the ocean, picking them out of spiderwebs, and grabbing them off piles of manure."
04-MAY-2017
Happy to Be Going Home
Carol is resting at home today. It's difficult to get any rest in a hospital. I shot this picture of her as we were getting ready to bring her home. Sharing the picture is her new buddy that I got to keep her company in the hospital. Now we can look forward to our 56th wedding anniversary on the 13th.
So, at least that is over! Now Carol has to have some tests to check her Mitral valve to see if it has become less efficient. She spent over a year in bed with Rheumatic Fever when a girl and it was touch and go as to her recovery. The illness left her heart valves damaged. She had the Aortic valve replaced with an artificial one in 2003. Through it all, she maintains a positive, happy outlook though she endures much. What a girl!
05-MAY-2017
Big Mouth!
This American White Pelican could have been yawning. I didn't hear anything, but I was a little ways away. Whatever the reason, I was able to catch it with its mouth open wide. I even got one shot with its head up and mouth open and pouch fully extended. The bedded down pelican simply ignores it. I saw quite a few pelicans at Fern Ridge Lake recently. They aren't here long and only show up once or twice a year.
"One of the largest North American birds, the American White Pelican is majestic in the air. The birds soar with incredible steadiness on broad, white-and-black wings. Their large heads and huge, heavy bills give them a prehistoric look. On the water they dip their pouched bills to scoop up fish, or tip-up like an oversized dabbling duck. Sometimes, groups of pelicans work together to herd fish into the shallows for easy feeding. Look for them on inland lakes in summer and near coastlines in winter."
06-MAY-2017
I think Goldie was a hit with Angie and Carol
Going back to our jaunt to meet Goldie. It is pretty evident that she made a hit with Angie and Carol. This was a good day, a couple weeks before Carol's stay in the hospital.
07-MAY2017
Wild Rose at Clearwater Park
I got a chance to take a short walk at Clearwater Park the other day and came upon this pretty wild rose. It brightened my day. Hope it does yours too!
08-MAY-2017
Moon Over the Willamette River
I liked this early morning view of the Willamette River beneath a silvery moon, as it passed by Clearwater Park.
09-MAY-2017
An Important Fixture in the Hospital
While Carol was in the hospital, I amused myself with a few diversion, such as a photograph here and there of anything that got my attention. At last I found an important fixture at the hospital, one that anyone there can't do without. Ok, I was a little bored from sitting all day. :)
10-APR-2017
Flying Low Over the Ponds
The cormorants, of a couple different varieties, have been in Delta Ponds for a while this spring. They seem to stop by each year in the spring and again in the fall, when they migrate. I believe this might be a Double-crested Cormorant.
From a distance the cormorant may look black, but up closer lighter colors can be seen. This is what is said in a Cool Fact from 'All About Birds' - "•From a distance, Double-crested Cormorants are dark birds with snaky necks, but up-close they’re quite colorful—with orange-yellow skin on their face and throat, striking aquamarine eyes that sparkle like jewels, and a mouth that is bright blue on the inside." (
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Double-crested_Cormorant/lifehistory)
11-MAY-2017
"I Saw You Looking at that Egret!"
This Canada Goose pair seem to have some difference going on. And I can just imagine what was said, one saying to its mate, "I saw you looking at that egret back there!" :) Now, what do you think it is?
12-MAY-2017
Rainbow Over Springfield
I had to run to the pharmacy to get a couple prescriptions for Carol and was greeted with this view when I came out of the store. The image is a two shot panorama done with my smart phone, the only camera I had with me. It was definitely a case of 'your best camera is the one you have with you!'
13-MAY-2017
Waiting for Dinner, 56th Anniversary
Carol was able to go out for our 56th anniversary dinner today. We had a very nice meal and the service was great. While we were waiting for the meal, I decided to play with the camera a bit I set it on the edge of the table pointed at us, hoping I could get both of us in the picture, if we leaned in that is! I thought it came out pretty good considering the circumstances. At least it shows us having a good time.