09-Jul-2020
We Called Them Skippers When I Was a Kid
I learn something every day. What we called skippers when I was a kid, is a insect of the Gerridae family. They are commonly called water striders, water skeeters, water scooters, water bugs, pond skaters, water skippers, Jesus bugs, or water skimmers. They have retractable claws, elongated legs and body, and are covered with more than one thousand microhairs per milimeter. These tiny hairs provide the water strider with resistance to splashes or drops of water. These hairs repel the water, preventing drops from weighing down the body.
25-Feb-2020
Miss My Friends
It has been a while since I have seen my friends, the Great Blue Herons. I was looking through some shots from earlier this year, in February, when I visited Delta Ponds and saw this guy after a successful catch. I liked the result.
13-Jul-2019
Not The Only Ones In Danger!
Just heard on the news that Oregon has the worst air quality in the world right now. It is dangerous air. We are staying indoors as we should be.
But we aren't the only ones in danger. Yesterday saw the third visit to the farm of a coyote that has already killed two chickens. Our daughter ran out into the dark at 3:00 am yelling at the coyote, which had a chicken in its mouth. It dropped the chicken and ran into the woods next door. The chicken is ok. I don't know how it is getting into the chicken coop. Perhaps the chickens are getting out. The coyote seems to go for ones like this one.
Recently, before the fires, there has been bear droppings on the place too. We live in the country, so wildlife does roam the area.
05-Sep-2020
Heavy Smoke, No Lights, Hazardous Air!
It was Tuesday morning about 6:00 am. It was just getting light outside. The electricity had been turned off last night because of fire danger. I needed a cup of coffee, but had to do without. Hmm, what to do? I saw this dawn light come through the window, and there was something to do. Shoot a picture. Not the best conditions for a photo since it was still dark inside. But I just had to try! I think I got the feel. Now I can sit down with my tablet and play solitaire. 👀 But I will be keeping an eye on the fire situation.
09-Sep-2020
Day Lily of My Dreams
I always wanted to get a single day lily flower with a bud alongside against a green background and finally got my favorite shot. This one was close by, in my daughter's yard. So now I have it! But next year I will probably be looking for something better. 😎
28-Aug-2020
Our Neighbor, The Cutup!
Our neighbor does the harvesting of hay for others in the area, and keeps busy a good part of the summer this way. He has the equipment needed for mowing, raking and baling the hay.
Following are the steps taken in a standard haying:
Cutting - commonly used with a rotary mower.
Tedding - a process to fluff up the hay once cut.
Raking - pulls the hay into windrows for baling
Baling - 2 types of balers, for square or round bales.
Storage - best stored in barns or sheds to to keep dry.
For more detail about the steps of harvesting hay, you will need to consult a farmer. My experience with harvesting hay is limited to that of a youngster on our small farm. My father used a tractor built from an old car, pulled a blade mower, and a rake with at least four foot looped tines. To me they looked like six or seven feet tall. 🙂 I was too young to ride the rake. One rode on a tractor seat above the tines. I remember my mother riding on the rake at least once. Modern equipment, especially on big farms, is quite advanced in technology, and beyond me. Some tractors are quite advanced and even have air conditioning, necessary in some of the hot weather they work in.
26-Aug-2019
A Mixed Bag!
It would be difficult to explain any reason for this combination of shelf items. They are there for a resting place for each, not that they really relate to each other. Still the arrangement does get attention and is pleasing to my eye. But I really can't say why? What do you see?
20-Aug-2020
If You Want To Live A Dream, Plant One!
This great watering can belongs to our daughter, and I found quite attractive as the sunlight gave shape to it. And I love the thought because Carol and I take it literally. Flowers can add so much to one's yard and home. We enjoy the flowers we have planted here, though the dry conditions of the last several years make it difficult to have many.
18-Aug-2020
Is This What They Mean By "Loving It To Death"?
I saw this at one of my favorite wildlife hangouts, Delta Ponds. The area abounds in birds of a wide variety, along with a few animals such as river otters, mink, pond turtles and a few others. The encroachment of humans into some of the sensitive areas where different species nest and breed has left its mark. This is a more glaring example.
I have seen campsites, worn paths, garbage and other evidence of human presence in restricted areas. This is sad because it affects the reproduction rate of important native creatures. The Eugene Parks dept does a commendable job of caring for the local parks and working to keep them free of these transgressions. But ignorance and lack of respect for rules continues.
17-Aug-2020
Not a Wild One!
I am so used to photographing wild turkeys that visit the place that the more domestic kind seem unusual to me. I saw this one on a recent walk. It really stood out to me!
13-Aug-2020
Purple Moon Calla Lily
Calla is a Greek word meaning 'beauty'. As far as the meaning of the word goes, 'beauty' really fits this beautiful purple flower. I learned that Calla lilies are native to South Africa and Malawi.
The first person to catalog the calla in the 18th century was a Swedish botanist in the 18th century. But it isn't really a calla lily. Rather it is in the same family as the philodendron. A German botanist tried to correct the mistake. But the name remained. It may not be accurate but the definition of the word fits anyway.
06-Aug-2020
Neighborly Horses
On a recent walk along a side road near home, these horses hurried to the fence to greet me. At least that is what I would like to think! Wouldn't you expect such from neigh-borly horses? :) But honesty forces me to also consider the possibility that they were really looking for a handout. Anyway, I appreciated the attention. 🕵️♀️