03-MAR-2017
Spotted Towhee
I have always loved seeing the Spotted Towhee, to me a most beautiful bird. So when I saw this one at Delta Ponds this morning I was delighted. It posed for me for a brief time and then was on its way. They don't seem to stay still very long. I have attracted only a very few to our feeders at home. But I enjoy seeing the birds in the wild a lot more anyway.
"The Spotted Towhee is a large, striking sparrow of sun-baked thickets of the West. When you catch sight of one, they’re gleaming black above (females are grayish), spotted and striped with brilliant white. Their warm rufous flanks match the dry leaves they spend their time hopping around in. The birds can be hard to see in the leaf litter, so your best chance for an unobstructed look at this handsome bird may be in the spring, when males climb into the shrub tops to sing their buzzy songs."
"Early in the breeding season, male Spotted Towhees spend their mornings singing their hearts out, trying to attract a mate. Male towhees have been recorded spending 70 percent to 90 percent of their mornings singing. Almost as soon as they attract a mate, their attention shifts to other things, and they spend only about 5 percent of their time singing."
04-MAR-2017
Harbinger of Spring!
Although the rhododendron in our front yard blooms each year in February, other flowers are already in bloom. Among the earliest flowers to appear, even while snow is still on the ground, is the beautiful crocus. At the time when you wonder if winter will never end, the crocus puts on its colorful showing. The appearance of this early arrival is always a delight.
05-FEB-2017
Black-Capped Chickadee
I saw this little cutie at Delta Ponds. Here is something to think about: the Black-Capped Chickadee is smarter than one might think, certainly having a memory better than mine! It hides its food to eat later, each item in a different place. And get this, the chickadee can remember thousands of hiding places! Can you do that?
Here is what "All About Birds" says about the Black-Capped Chickadee:
"A bird almost universally considered “cute” thanks to its oversized round head, tiny body, and curiosity about everything, including humans. The chickadee’s black cap and bib; white cheeks; gray back, wings, and tail; and whitish underside with buffy sides are distinctive. Its habit of investigating people and everything else in its home territory, and quickness to discover bird feeders, make it one of the first birds most people learn." - (
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-capped_Chickadee/lifehistory)
06-MAR-2017
My Easy Chair
What a rainy day we had today. I started out to get some photos of the dusting of snow we got. That fizzled and it started raining harder, so guess where I headed? Home to my easy chair and a cup of coffee. :) But I didn't get my exercise! :(
07-MAR-2017
Big Fall Creek Near Where I Grew Up
I grew up about 25 miles from here along Big Fall Creek. My father had nine acres there where he raised cows, pigs and chickens. We also had a small orchard along with grapes, also a huge garden. It was a great place to grow up! Today that property sits beneath Fall Creek Dam. So when I pay a visit, as I did today, things are much different now. But this scene of Fall Creek at a spot just below where our property was hasn't changed all that much. It was so beautiful there and still is along the creek just below the dam. Seeing the young fellows there on the rocks brought back memories of days when I roamed the banks of Fall Creek.
08-MAR-2017
Mt. Zion With a Dusting of Snow
This is a scene looking south from Lowell State Park at Lowell Oregon. The body of water is Dexter Lake, and across the lake is Highway 58. The elevation of Mt. Zion is 2625 feet. So it is more like a butte than a mountain, but it does tower over the surrounding hills.
As you can see in the photo, there is a marina at the park and the lake is kept full year round. Sail boaters, water skiers, anglers, paddlers and rowers take advantage of the park. The University of Oregon and Oregon Association of Rowers have boathouses there, and host Regattas (rowing races) in the spring. There are also drag boat races in the summer. There are also areas for recreation and picnicking in the park. For more information about the park, go here -
http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=177
09-MAR-2017
Just a Bit More of Winter
I think we are experiencing the last gasps of winter. We have a huge snow pack in the Cascades, 110 inches of roadside snow at the top of the Santiam Pass, which has an elevation of 4817 feet above sea level. We have had a few recent snow squalls down here at 500 feet elevation. But things are looking up. Hopefully, winter weather is slowly changing. Seems like it has been a long winter. Perhaps this is the last bit of snow we get. In the meantime, let's put on a happy face! -
10-MAR-2017
Children on Field Trip in Delta Ponds
Believe it or not, we saw some sunshine today. It was a good day for outings and an opportunity to see some blue sky. I look forward to more days like this as spring breaks out. Gray skies are not the best background for photographs. On such days a good thing to do is try to eliminate as much sky as you can. Anyway, the parks in Eugene are popular for school field trips and other outings. Bird watching groups have regular scheduled walks in Delta Ponds. And guys like me find it a most pleasant place for photo walks.
11-MAR-2017
A Perfect Perch
While I was walking in Delta Ponds, enjoying a sunny day, this robin landed on a perfect perch, allowing me to get a nice photo of it. I love the pose, it's what I would have asked for if I knew Robin language!
12-FEB-2017
Riparian Pond Beside the Mill Race Path
In January a 3-mile path along the old Springfield Mill Race was opened for public use. It connects downtown Springfield to the 4-mile Middle Fork Path that runs along the Willamette River. It provides a route for bicycle commuters to get across town. Along the way, you just might see deer, birds and native plants. It's a good way to get out into nature without leaving town. Near the 5th Street trailhead you will walk along this beautiful riparian area with ponds and wetlands. Panorama made from four separate images.
13-MAR-2017
Blowing in the Wind
A backyard ornament in a bit of a wind.
14-MAR-2017
Water Everywhere
Due to a lot of recent rain, we have had full streams throughout the valley. We had a day or two with a bit of sunshine, but now more rain is expected. In the meantime, the water has receded some. The foreground in this scene has been under water. I took advantage of the opportunity to get out there with my old D1x for a few photos.