04-Feb-2019
Egret Getting Dressed Up
It must be getting close to breeding season for the egrets we see here. I saw some today with plumage beginning to show. Egrets belong to the heron family and develop fine plumage during the breeding season.
"The pristinely white Great Egret gets even more dressed up for the breeding season. A
patch of skin on its face turns neon green, and long plumes grow from its back. Called
aigrettes, those plumes were the bane of egrets in the late nineteenth century, when such
adornments were prized for ladies’ hats."
03-FEB-2019
Tree Swallow, Sitting Still for a Change!
The energy of the Tree Swallow is amazing to me. They hardly ever sit still, instead they are usually zooming through the air catching bugs to eat. It was great to catch one such beautiful little bundle of energy at rest.
01-FEB-2019
The Beautiful American Widgeon
I saw this great looking specimen at Alton Baker Park and never posted the photograph. I love the shot so decided it isn't too late to post. :)
31-JAN-2019
How Little We Are!
This lone figure along the shore of Fern Ridge Lake helps to put things in perspective. We humans can sometimes see ourselves as big and important, while this helps us see ourselves as small and insignificant, especially in relation to the earth and, even more so, the universe. Not that we should feel little self-worth, because we are important to those who love us. But some could learn a lesson from this. :)
29-JAN-2019
Great Spot for a Picnic!
On this sunny day at Orchard Point Park, I thought this would be an ideal place to have a picnic. But now, in the midst of winter, the park is mostly deserted. The ground was white with frost earlier this morning. So I guess the picnics will wait a few months.
28-JAN-2019
American Kestrel, Fierce Predator in a Small Package
To me, the American Kestrel is a most beautiful bird. I saw my first one several years ago in Montana. Since then, I have always been thrilled to see them. So it was great to see one at Kirk Park. The image has been cropped.
I learned a lot about these marvelous predators of the falcon family by reading about them at All About Birds.com. Following is a quote from their Overview page:
"BASIC DESCRIPTION
North America’s littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator’s fierce intensity into its small body. It's one of the most colorful of all raptors: the male’s slate-blue head and wings contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same warm reddish on her wings, back, and tail. Hunting for insects and other small prey in open territory, kestrels perch on wires or poles, or hover facing into the wind, flapping and adjusting their long tails to stay in place. Kestrels are declining in parts of their range; you can help them by putting up nest boxes."
27-JAN-2019
Turkey Vulture Taking Flight
I spotted this vulture at the top of a light pole and shot a few pictures of it as it sat there. When it suddenly decided to take off (was it something I said?), I only had time for one shot. The lens I was using is manual focus only, and my old eyes really need Autofocus. Also, I was using a mirrorless camera and DSLR's are still tops in my book when it comes to birds in flight. So I was fortunate that the one shot turned out good enough.
26-JAN-2019
Shapely Tree on a Foggy Day!
I have always admired the trees in this orchard, considering them to be so shapely in their barest winter form. This one was marred by a wire through the top of the picture, so I worked long and hard on eliminating it. It would have been easier for me to have gone out and cut the wires down. :) My software doesn't automatically remove wires. I just had to try, because I remember posting another tree on this property and the requests I got to remove the wires. I just had to make the effort. Anyway, I do like the result.
23-JAN-2019
Heron On The Rocks!
Since I had therapy today, I decided to drive on to the north side of Fern Ridge Lake just to see what I could see. I am glad I did, for I saw this Great Blue Heron on some rocks on the edge of the lake. I love herons and thought it made a pretty picture.
21-JAN-2019
Lamp Light
Sometimes lamp light can be so lovely, especially if the lamp itself is beautiful and the tassels are as attractive as these. Good subjects for photography are everywhere.
20-JAN-2019
A Very Wet White Crowned Sparrow
I felt sorry for this little fellow. He looked soaked and uncomfortable, but maybe it is just another day to a white crowned sparrow. We don't live in the out of doors, so I guess we can't understand how they feel. It's probably true that it is nothing unusual to them. Anyway, it was nice to get a brief break in the weather today.
19-JAN-2019
Cloud in the Pasture
Carol and Angie's horse, Cloud, is a handsome fellow, I think. Even though he has impaired vision, he gets around well. But he likes to roll in the grass, which causes his blanket to come off. Angie usually puts blankets on both horses before putting them out to pasture, especially if it rains or is cold. But I often see him without his. Maybe he gets hot! :)