26-JUL-2018
Are Morning Glories Invasive?
I remember a place we bought some years ago that had a bunch morning glory in the backyard. I tried to control it and get rid of it but it just wanted to take over. I came to think that all morning glory was invasive and obnoxious. Then I read how people bought the plants for yard and wondered about it. There seems to be a big variety of types of morning glory. Whatever the answer is the flower is pretty. This one is growing wild in Delta Ponds.
I checked online and learned that there is a wide variety of morning glories and some are considered invasive. But some report that if one knows how to care for it and when to remove the spent vine and seeds it is no more difficult to control than a lot of other flowers. Seems it might be a reasonable assumption, but I have no idea. I probably will never plant it in my yard.
29-JUL-2018
New Life for an Old Tree
When I saw this old tree it surprised me that it was so much bigger than the windmill. Also, when one looks at the hill behind they can get an idea of the size of the tree. If it had its full height yet, it would tower above all the other trees around it. Something about the scene grabbed my attention and held it. I was taken with the contrast between the new growth on the right side of the tree and the old dead looking trunk on the left.
30-JUL-2018
A Busy Day at the Lake
When I drove by Richardson Park by Fern Ridge Lake, I saw lots of boats on the water. I turned around and went back to see what was going on. According to signs leading into the park, it turned out to be a group called Wake Up World giving youngsters a ride around the lake. This photo seems to sum up the busy scene with boats in the foreground loading passengers and others already on the lake giving rides.
31-JUL-2018
Tree Swallow With Lunch
A name that would have been good for the swallow would be 'swift' because they surely are! But that name is already taken by another fast bird. I love the tree swallows. We see a lot of them here in the country. The easiest shot of one is when it sits still for a moment, as this is this one at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area.
02-AUG-2018
Cleared For Landing!
It is hard to believe this huge bird, the Great Blue Heron, is so lightweight, at about 5 lbs! This makes it a marvelous aviator, one humans can learn from, and have! There is a field of science devoted to the study of animals, birds and sea life which seeks to learn about their abilities and skills, as well as make up, in order to put what is learned to use in human inventions, etc. Isn't it interesting that humans, who consider themselves so smart, must study lower life forms in order to put the wisdom seen there to good use? Wisdom isn't mindless, it bespeaks intelligence.
I marvel at what I see and learn by my interest in wildlife and the earth around us! Photography is a wonderful medium for capturing some of these wonders.
03-AUG-2018
Getting Dry in the Wetlands
I got a chance to take a walk in the wetlands of the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area and found some of the ponds dried up after a month of hot weather. Most of the month of July temperatures were in the 90's. That's hot for us here. This is what those dried up ponds look like now.
We had a break for a few days with temperatures in the 80's, but are being warned that they are heading up into the mid 90's again. We can always look forward to September.
04-AUG-2018
Navy Reconnaissance Trainer Over Fern Ridge Wildlife Area
I have seen this Naval Reconnaissance Plane (Orion P3 sub chaser) over the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area several times, as they seem to do practice flying from the Eugene Airport. The trail of smoke indicates to me that it is under power. Is that correct? The error I made with the photo was forgetting to slow the shutter speed to add movement to the props. I had the camera set for capturing bird photos.
06-AUG-2018
My Favorite Color!
These beautiful flowers are in my daughter's yard and of course I had to get a picture of them. I believe it is an Azalea. That's a bush I love, as is the Rhododendron. I was pleased with the result.
07-AUG-2018
Formation Flying
Even though some of the water in the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area is dried up, there are still ponds when one gets closer to the lake. In one of these ponds there were several of what I believe were Greater Yellowlegs. They started taking off just as I spotted them, proving wildlife most of the time sees you sooner than you see them. Anyway, I was able to grab a few shots as they did, and here I was able to get six of them in a frame. I am happy. :)
08-AUG-2018
One Very Smart Cookie!
They say that the crow is one of the smartest of birds. By observing them over time, I see nothing to disprove that. This one was as interested in me as I was of it. I would make noises to get its attention and it would look at me and seem to study me. When the camera shutter clicked, it would cock its head and look around to see where that noise came from, plainly it was a noise not familiar to it. It was fun interacting with the bird, as it is interacting with any wild creature. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a time when animals and humans would dwell peacefully together, neither one harming or wiping out the other? This smart little bird would fit right in!
19-AUG-2018
I Think They Mean Business!
On a walk on a lane near home I ran across this sign, making clear the intent of the sign. Also a sign of the times. :)
11-AUG-2018
Car Show, My Favorite Car There!
There were several great looking cars at a local car show. This one was my favorite! The reason? Well, I love Model A roadsters and that great rumble seat!
I think I told the story before of passing up on one when I turned 16. We could get a full fledged drivers license in those days at 16. Now in Oregon young people can get a license to drive at 16, but they have to be accompanied by an adult. I decided I wanted a car and got my father to drive me up the Mckenzie Highway (hwy 126) into the foothills of the Cascades, to a farm where there was one for sale. The farmer took us to his barn and when he opened the door there was a great looking 1932 Model A roadster, rumble seat and all! It has been painted yellow but the fenders were still black. And, it still had the original four cylinder engine. That was in 1953. You would never guess what I could have got it for - $65! I didn't buy it. :(