17-Oct-2019
Barking Up The Wrong Tree!
I just love the bark on this old tree. The moss and the yellow growth on the bark add to the attraction, though likely not to the health of the tree. I felt it was worthy of a picture.
15-Oct-2019
Wonderful Western Grebe
I think the Western Grebe is an elegant large bird, One will see it in lakes and ponds across the American West. It is similar to the Clark's Grebe, one difference being the black on the head surrounding the eye while it is surrounded by white on the Clark's Grebe. I love how its long neck is black on the back and white on the front, plus the way the eye color stands out from the black on its head. All in all, an attractive bird.
14-Oct-2019
Waiting For Color
I have been looking for fall colors and thought we had none. But I think colors are just now beginning to show. And the trees that are colorful are not really native to this area. They often get an opportunity to show up as areas are logged. Even though the only trees replanted are firs, still colorful trees like vine maple will take root where they get the opportunity. There are lots of them to be seen at higher elevations in the Cascades. Also, people have planted colorful varieties of trees in their yards, adding to the beauty. So I realized that these trees are just beginning to show their beauty. It hasn't really got cold on mornings as yet, if that stimulates the appearance of color. I still hope to take a drive into the Cascades once this year, but lots of things have been happening that keep me close to home.
07-Oct-2019
The Grapes Are Ready!
And they are good! The grapes here at Critter Creek Ranch are waiting for us to pick them. It's a good year for them. I have always loved grapes. As a youngster I had lots to eat right off the vine. We lived along a gravel road in those days and the grapes vines were planted along the full length of the driveway, a long one. My mother always knew when I had been eating grapes. I would come in with a ring of dust around my mouth. When cars and trucks went by, a cloud of dust would rise and settle on the grapes. I could never get away with anything. 😔 Actually, she didn't care, there were plenty grapes to go around.
12-Oct-2019
At the Shopping Center
We do have a small shopping center out in the country. It is between two small towns. There is more here than meets the eye. One might think the doorway leads to a pharmacy, but it actually goes into a grocery store. The pharmacy is located in that store. The larger store sign is to the right of the doors.
Also in the shopping center are four eateries (I know, I have tried them all), a gas station, a hardware store, liquor store (which I haven't tried), a latte stand (I try it often), a bank, pizza parlor, laundromat, and sundry other shops. One thing that is lacking is the rush one usually sees at big city shopping centers. It is more relaxing and friendly here.
11-Oct-2019
What's That About a Bird in the Bush?
Talk about getting a bird in a bush! This bird, seen in late afternoon light and deep shadows, is very difficult for me to ID. In some ways it looks similar to a female house sparrow, but seems to me that the colors may be different. The features I find to stand out about it are the thick beak, whitish breast, and the wings of dark and light brown, with streaks of white. Anyone refer me to online information about what bird it is?
10-Oct-2019
Contortionist!
Several wild turkeys are residents here on the farm, as well as the neighbors property. They are interesting to watch and can get into some of the most unusual positions, such as this one. They are very large birds with a big appetite. In the wild, turkeys range from 5-20 pounds, in comparison with a Great Blue Heron, which weighs a mere 5 lbs. The average lifespan of a wild turkey is 3-5 years, though one of them is known to have lived at least 13 years.
Many US residents know that Benjamin Franklin preferred the wild turkey as the national bird because of its proud demeanor and protective instincts. He felt the bald eagle less deserving because it can be a scavenger and will rob other birds and animals of their prey.
09-Oct-2019
Not Just a Pretty Face!
When a turkey stand in sunlight it can really show up all of the colors in their feathers. One doesn't really notice them unless the light is right. In all, the wild turkey is not as ugly as one might get on first impression. I think it is a marvelously designed creature.
08-Oct-2019
Fall Colors? Where?
I took a short walk down the road to see if I could get a picture of some fall colors for a friend Back East. Sorry Steve, we just don't have any colors to speak of this year. After all, this is Tall Fir country, and Washington, next door, is the Evergreen State. So our predominate color is green. If one wants some pretty fall colors, a drive up the McKenzie River into the Cascade Mountains will get you some. Anyway, There is a bit of color in this scene so I figured I would post it.
07-Oct-2019
Ladybug, ladybug....!
Seems I remember a saying we kids used to say when we saw a ladybug, but that was long ago. So I don't recall how it goes now. I remember pieces of it only. Could it go on to say, "fly away home. Your house is on fire and your children will burn." Is that it? Sounds silly now. LOL
Thanks to those who sent the words to this, a nursery rhyme. I found this interesing suggestion of a source for the rhyme at a website called 'nurseryrhymesforbabies.com' - "The ties between the ladybug and the fire could also come from the idea that ladybugs are helpful for keeping harmful pests from crops. Farmers who burned their crops yearly may have shouted this rhyme out before lighting the fields on fire so that the benevolent ladybugs would have a chance to get away. This points to the idea that this rhyme was written about a farming tradition. It is possible that it was originally written about Catholic mass but then later transformed in meaning to be about farming and the helpful role of the ladybugs in farming."
Other suggestions were given but this one made the most sense to me!
06-Oct-2019
Bird on a Boat Railing
I saw this bird sitting on the rail of a boat at the marina in Richardson Park. I am not sure of what kind of bird it is, but I think it could be a female Common Grackle.
Some may find the bright line at the top to be distracting but it is the rail on the opposite side of the boat, and to me it is part of the scene.
04-Oct-2019
One of Our Neighbors
We have apple trees in our yard with an abundance of apples. I have been throwing those on the ground over the fence into the woods on the other side for the deer to eat. This has brought a few in the mornings to feed. It is always fun to watch them out the back windows. I have even been out in the yard when they were there, ever watchful. The only male I have seen so far was a young spike the other morning. Last year, a buck with a nice rack was bedded down in the woods chewing its cud. I heard gunshots in the distance. Guess he knew a safe spot to be.
