06-FEB-2018
Little Miss Molly
While Miko is an independent little guy who loves to be outside, Molly prefers the indoors and even the lap of anyone who is sitting down. She is a loving little Poodle, who was rescued from a California puppy mill. While Miko dances and begs for treats and to get his way, Molly makes her wishes known by barking. I sometimes wish she had a muffler installed. :)
07-FEB-2018
Sunny Afternoon in Eugene
It was so nice this afternoon, warm and sunny! I have to run errands and so took time to take a short walk in a park in an industrial part of town. I thought this tree and pond in the afternoon sunlight made a pretty scene!
09-FEB-2018
Great Egret Beginning to show Breeding Plumage
I found a nesting tree for Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets today. This is the first time I have seen egrets nest here, but I may have missed some too. For the most part, they always seemed to spend only part of the year locally. It is good to see nests.
10-FEB-2018
Hovering American Kestrel
The American Kestrel is a most beautiful little bird. It is America's smallest falcon, and one of the most colorful. While hunting for small prey, it perches on wires or poles, and often hovers, adjusting its tail to stay in place. That is what the Kestrel is doing here.
11-FEB-2018
Bird on a Wire - I think it is a Red-shouldered Hawk
I had to make a run to the drug store for Carol. Shortly after leaving home, I saw this hawk alongside the road. It shows that it always pays to have a camera along. When you come upon a bird like this, it is best to stay in the car and shoot pictures from there, if you can. They don't seem to be spooked much by a car slowly rolling to a stop nearby.
My guess is that it is a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk. It has the same coloring and a yellow spot on its beak, looking a lot like the picture of one in my bird book. What do you think? Here are some photos -
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/id They do look like my bird.
12-FEB-2018
A Patch of Blue Above the Shores of Fern Ridge Lake
A dark morning with clouds can be a fine photo opportunity, especially if one gets a break in the clouds. That is what happened here. While I was getting some pictures of the contrasts between the water and clouds, a break in the clouds showed a patch of blue sky, affirming my belief that there is a blue sky up there! Now the sky has cleared and it will get into the low 20's F tonight. If you don't like Oregon weather wait five minutes!
13-FEB-2018
A Beautiful Pond in Kirk Park
I took a short drive today to see what was going on a Kirk Park, where I have seen herons and egrets flocking to the trees. There weren't many birds there but the pond itself was beautiful.
14-FEB-2018
Western Grebe
This medium sized diving bird, long necked with striking black and white coloring, is only occasionally seen in our area, at least in my experience. It spends most of its time in the water. it uses its long, slender yellow bill to spear fish and other food.
"All About Birds" provides us with this information about the Western Grebe:
"A large, elegant, black-and-white grebe, the Western Grebe breeds in lakes and ponds across the American West and winters primarily off the Pacific Coast. The very similar Clark's Grebe was long thought to be the same species. Both species have a dramatic, choreographed courtship display, in which the birds rush across the water with their long necks extended."
15-FEB-2018
The Egret Is Landing!
This is a Great Egret about to land in the trees at Kirk Park
16-FEB-2018
Zumwalt Park Nature Walk
Zumwalt Park, along the shores of Fern Ridge Lake, is almost a hidden beauty. You have to walk to get there. The good road that leads to the park is closed to traffic, which is no longer allowed to enter. But that doesn't keep people away. There were several other people, and their dogs, out for a walk in the park. I really enjoy the paths that lead through wooded areas, where huge trees grow and ferns are big and beautiful. Those paths are the first place I head for when I go there. Bordering the woods are overgrown areas where moss covered trees are contorted in weird shapes and the green grass makes a lovely carpet covering the ground. It is a delightful place to walk.
14-FEB-2018
Kirk Pond in the Setting Sun
Sometimes clouds can add a nice touch to a landscape scene. Here the late sun and breaks in the dark clouds make for a wonderful contrast in tones and colors. I thought it made Kirk Pond come alive.
18-FEB-2018
The Ellmaker Oak Tree
This tree, in Zumwalt Park, is very old and has quite a history. The Ellmaker family bought the property from the Zumwalt family and Levi Robb built a house for his bride, Frances Almeda Ellmaker right next to the Ellmaker Oak tree in 1881. The tree is estimated to be between 300-400 years old. This means that it started growing near Coyote Creek when the Kalapuya people lived in the area.