01-Aug-2019
SONG AND DANCE?
I enjoyed watching this Great Blue Heron for a while. At first, it was across the pond from me. Then it flew directly toward me and landed on this log. There it performed for me. :) I don't know if it was walking and talking or doing a song and dance routine.
31-Jul-2019
HANDY WHEELBARROW
I needed something to use to carry groceries to the house. What about Angie's wheelbarrow? It was tempting but I better not! It is only about 18 inches long end to end. So I carried them in by hand. Oh, woe is me!
30-Jul-2019
BEAUTY AT REST
During the winter and spring, a group of American White Pelicans find a safe haven at Fern Ridge Lake. I observed a large group of them in Kirk Pond below Fern Ridge Dam in the spring. Strangely, though the group has gone, likely to other parts of Fern Ridge Lake or elsewhere, one lone pelican remains at Kirk Pond. It is often sitting on this log in solitude.
Cormorants are quite often seen in the company of pelicans, but they have moved on. So the pelican has the pond to itself, along with some geese and a variety of ducks.
29-Jul-2019
AERODYNAMICS AT WORK
According to NASA, "Aerodynamics is the way air moves around things. The rules of aerodynamics explain how an airplane is able to fly. Anything that moves through air reacts to aerodynamics. A rocket blasting off the launch pad and a kite in the sky react to aerodynamics. Aerodynamics even acts on cars, since air flows around cars."
"What Are the Four Forces of Flight? - The four forces of flight are lift, weight, thrust and drag. These forces make an object move up and down, and faster or slower. How much of each force there is changes how the object moves through the air. "
To me, it sounds like a 'rule' or law that shows wisdom and design, something we humans have learned from. Boeing could never build a goose.
27-Jul-2019
Hoverfly With Black And Pale Yellow Stripes
This is a Hoverfly, which looks very much like a bee. Hoverflies have only one pair of wings, while bees have two. What threw me are the pale yellow, almost white, strips on the back and that large black 'bubble' on its back. I loved getting a shot of it on this lovely and bright yellow flower.
26-Jul-2019
Dining On Snake Steak
You will often see Green Herons standing along the water’s edge where they hunt for fish and amphibians. They are not waders like larger herons. They have dagger-like beaks, and they can strike with lightning speed, as this one did in capturing the snake or, as some suggested, more likely an eel.
25-Jul-2019
A Little Cottage in the Country!
Carol and I always wanted a cottage in the country! We might have room upstairs if you want to get away for a day or two! I might even be willing to rent it out for a real short getaway. :)
19-Jul-2019
The Blackberries Are Coming Along
Blackberries do very well in the Willamette Valley. In fact, the bushes are hard to control and they grow wild just about anywhere. But those ripe black berries taste so good, especially a bowl full in some milk with a touch of sweetener sprinkled on top.
They are also packed with essential nutrients and antioxidants, including potassium, magnesium and calcium, as well as vitamins A, C, E and most of our B vitamins. Additionally, they contain anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that give blackberries their deep purple color.
23-Jul-2019
A Great Way to Get Around the Lake
I saw this fellow in a double hull canoe at Fern Ridge Lake, at least that is what it looks like to me. I searched the Net to find something similar but didn't find any. So I am not sure just what this sort of craft is called. Looks like it might be something fishermen would find useful. Anyone know what this type of boat is called? I think it is pretty neat!
That's good enough for me! :)
22-Jul-2019
Close Call?
Not as close as it looks! The Turkey Vulture made it across the road with some room to spare, but it probably was a big surprise to the driver of that car. Vultures were feeding on carrion on the side of the road where I was parked. This vulture decided to fly to a nearby tree and I had to shoot fast. That's how the car got in the picture. :)
21-Jul-2019
Bubbles in the Fountain
Carol has a small fountain and pond in our front yard. It creates some great bubbles. So what does any photographer worth their salt do about it? Shoot a picture, of course! :)
20-Jul-2019
Photo of Vern by Carol
Carol grabbed a shot of me when we got home from attending a memorial service for a friend.