17-May-2019
Clyde Alberta, Canada
My father grew up on a farm close to the very small town of Clyde, in Alberta Canada. I found this picture of Clyde among some old photographs we have. This is a copy I shot of the print. I had to clean it up a bit.
I am not sure whether my father shot the picture, and would guess it to be taken in the late 1930's to early 1940's, judging from the cars on the right. My family visited there in 1950, when I was 14. I seem to remember a drug store, which had a soda fountain. I also remember seeing a most beautiful redhead cross the street as we drove in. Hey, what 14 year old doesn't notice pretty girls? :) I was somewhat disappointed to learn that she was my cousin! But I was right about her being beautiful!
16-May-2019
Electric Powered Canoe
I got a chance to chat with the nice young guy who owned the canoe. He said the electric powered motor worked pretty well. If a person gets tired of rowing they can mount the portable outboard motor to the side of the canoe and glide along, not very fast but who wants to go fast in a canoe anyway? It was a pretty neat setup.
06-May-2019
The Picture Tells the Story!
The country road past our home seems to have its share of accidents. In fact, we were hit by a vehicle pulling out to pass a truck after we had entered the roadway. But this particular accident involved only one vehicle that you can see in the trees in the center of the picture. The red vehicle is from the fire department and the fellow sitting on the grass to the left is the driver of the pickup in the trees. For some reason he left the road, went in the ditch, came out over a driveway and then into the trees after hitting the power pole seen behind the red vehicle. The pickup is still in the trees today. I don't know, maybe he can't afford to have it pulled out. I am surprised he wasn't really hurt.
13-May-2019
A 58th Anniversary Photo
Carol and I celebrated our 58th wedding anniversary yesterday, May 13th. We spent an enjoyable time together. At our age, it doesn't take much to fill our time. :) Lots of fond memories to think about. One daughter reminded us of how when they were old enough we made the occasion into a family party, with cake and gifts for us and our three girls. Those were fun times. It is amazing how much time has passed, and how quickly it goes by.
12-May-2019
Carol in the Sunshine.
I shot this photo of Carol as I faced directly into the sun. Some of her hair was washed out, so I did my amateurish best to make it better. Though it's not perfect, I do like the result. 58 years ago today she was looking forward to our wedding the next day, at least I hope so. Anyway, she is still my sunshine girl, and I hope she is up to a nice lunch at King Estates tomorrow. Don't tell her. :) (She already knows)
07-May-2019
The Red-wing Blackbirds are Singing Their Song
I always look forward to spring when the birds sing their love songs. Among the prettiest and loudest are the red-wing blackbirds. They are out in abundance now. I look for opportunities to catch them still long enough for a good picture.
06-May-2019
Angie's Goldie
Our daughter, Angie, got her beautiful Goldie from Dale in Milton-Freewater, Oregon about two years ago, and I wanted to show him Goldie as she looks today. She is such a great horse and a good companion for Cloud, who has what is similar to Macular Degeneration in horses. I will post a shot of them together later on.
05-May-2019
Lavendar Orpingtons
Our daughter, Angie, got four new chicks recently. They are growing like weeds, but still look somewhat furry instead of looking like feathers. Interesting is the coloration that develops as they grow.
Yes, the Lavendar Orpingtons are a unique breed of chicken, and have quite unusual coloration as adults. Here is what the website, "Pure Poultry", (
http://www.purelypoultry.com/lavender-orpington-chickens-p-…), says about them: "Lavender Orpingtons are a shimmering, grayish, silver color with a definite purple tone. Orpington Chickens, in general, are big, round, fluffy chickens and could arguably be the softest of all the breeds. Combine that soft fluffiness with a shimmering lavender-gray color, and Lavender Orpingtons are chickens to behold!"
"The lavender color is similar to the blue color, but is lighter in general and with purple overtones. Lavender Orpingtons are extremely rare, and not many people have actually laid eyes on a Lavender Orpington. They could be categorized as designer chickens, and are fabulous for poultry connoisseurs and collectors as well as for flock owners who want a truly special breed."
"Gray colors in chickens are always rare and exciting, but there is another reason lavender is such a sought-after color. Although Lavender Orpingtons do resemble Blue Orpingtons in their shimmering gray coloring, genetically the Lavender is very different from the Blue. When Blue Chickens are bred together, the offspring will be a variety of colors: black, splash (mostly white with gray splashes), and variations of the blue color. The Lavender Orpingtons, however, will breed true, meaning that all offspring of two Lavender Orpingtons will be Lavender."
"Lavender Orpingtons have pretty, single red combs, which are set off beautifully against the lavender feathering, which is usually a bit darker on the head. These would look especially striking combined with Buff Orpingtons - creating a flock of silver and gold big fluffy birds."
"Lavender Orpingtons have lots of feathers - the fluffiness makes them seem to have extra feathers, especially on the thighs. They are cold hardy and sound chickens."
02-May-2019
A Beautiful Honker!
"Honker" is a word sometimes used to refer to a goose, it is defined as "anything that honks." There is even a restaurant named 'Canadian Honker Restaurant that uses the Canada Goose in its ad -
http://canadianhonker.com/
The Canada Goose is native to North America. It breeds in Canada and the northern United States in a wide range of habitats. They are found year-round in the southern part of their breeding range, including most of the East and Pacific coasts. Between the southern United States and northern Mexico, Canada geese are primarily present as migrants from further north during the winter. Interestingly, they appear to be smaller the farther north one goes and their plumage darker the farther west one goes.
By the early 20th century, overhunting and loss of habitat in the late 19th century and early 20th century had resulted in a serious decline in the numbers of this bird in its native range. In more recent years, Canada goose populations in some areas have grown substantially, so that they are now found in abundance in many places.
01-May-2019
Heeling in the Wind
It was a sunny day at Fern Ridge Lake. There was a good wind blowing, which caused the sailboats to 'heel.'
"When a ship or boat leans over to one side, from the action of waves or from the centrifugal force of a turn or under wind pressure or from the amount of exposed topsides, it is said to 'heel'." - Wikipedia
30-Apr-2019
Off We Go!
This Canada Goose has just taken off from the water of Fern Ridge Lake and is expressing itself in Goose language. There were three of them taking off together so perhaps they were sharing flight path information. I was pleased to get it with its beak open and its tongue sticking out. :)
27-Apr-2019
Ignoring a Showoff!
That is what it looked like anyway! My first thought was that it was doing the two step! When the White Pelican did some stretching, the Cormorant turned its head as if to ignore. I learned that Cormorants and Pelicans can often be found together. Several times I have seen them together singly, but have also seen a lone Cormorant accompanying a group of Pelicans. There has to be something to their companionship. These two were at Kirk Pond.