Some fields and scenes to add to Cee’s challenge. All taken on the Long Beach Peninsula.
Steps to NowhereFort Columbia State Park, Washington – USAThe Middle of SomewhereFawn at Dawn (Noir)Waves of Rye
Thanks to Cee for providing us so many wonderful challenges. I don’t enter as often as I would like too, however, when I want to post something, her challenges always pique my interest!
Recently I read a fascinating book: Finding The Mother Tree, by Suzanne Simard. Through years of dedicated research she has influenced the practice of Silviculture in Canada and the USA, by proving that “forests are social, cooperative creatures connected through underground networks by which trees communicate their vitality and vulnerabilities with communal lives not that different from our own.”
On my quarter acre grounds are several mature Douglas fir and other evergreen trees. It is a pleasure to live with them and steward the grounds around them.
At Willamette Pass, I noticed small trees that were thriving under the canopy of fully grown evergreens, and also, as in this photo, being nurtured by the remains of deceased trees.
This past week I have featured several photos of Salt Creek Falls on Willamette Pass in Oregon, USA. Here it is again, seen through the limbs of large evergreen trees.
Wishing everyone safe travels. Please be kind and stay safe.🐾
Fort Columbia State Park is one of the most intact historic coastal defense sites in the US. Constructed between 1896 and 1903, renovated during WWII and decommissioned in 1947, it is now a day-use park on Chinook Point in Washington State, near the mouth of the Columbia River.
This particular shot is stunning in black and white with the tall evergreens silhouetted against a dramatic cloud formation in the sky. The flag is flying straight out in a brisk wind, and shadows create stark contrasting tones.
Though I usually prefer my plants to be “in full color,” this composition struck me as quite nice in black and white. The textures of the Hosta and ferns are distinct and the contrast of light through the dark wood fence and a sweep of brush above add to a sense of whimsy.
A fourth of July gathering with lots of red white and blue, plenty of good food, jolly company and this intimate discussion between my niece and a family friend. Presenting it in black and white adds to the emotional impact already present in their expressions.
After winter storms, Long Beach in Washington State is littered with wonderful drift wood snags. I like to use them as a frame for a shot towards the ocean. Long shadows project onto the sand and the textures of barnacles on the uprooted wood tell its story.
My beagle Jello, loves to settle into cool quiet corners of the garden when I’m out reading or writing by the pond. In this shot the textures of plants contrast with her smooth face, and though her body is hidden in shadow, light streams above her.
Wishing everyone safe travels. Please be kind and stay safe.🐾
What wonderful serendipity that the challenge from Journeys with Jonbo, fits with the activities I have been involved in this week. Every summer I join my sister Diana, and brother-in-law Les, to fish the lakes at the summit of Willamette Pass in central Oregon. Usually we harvest a nice catch of Kokanee from Crescent Lake, however this year the water level is so low that launching would have damaged their new boat. Isn’t it a beauty?!
Ready to go fishing at Odell Lake, Willamette Pass, Oregon USA
Kokanee weren’t biting at Crescent anyway, nor at Odell. However, Odell is a big deep lake with excellent habitat for another family favorite fish – Macinaw – a name for Lake Trout that has been in our family for generations. We know how to find them, we know how to catch them, we know how to clean and prep them and cook them so that they are delicious. Off we go!
On the water – Odell Lake
Marie hauled in the first (and biggest) of three that day – 34+ inches and 17.5 lbs.
Niece Marie caught the Big One – 17.5 lb. Macinaw
Over the course of three days fishing on the water of Odell Lake, our boat landed 7 Macinaw Trout. Most were smaller that Marie’s “Hog”.
Salt Creek Falls – Willamette Pass, Oregon – USA
Between Oakridge, Oregon and Odell Lake, is a sign post to Salt Creek Falls. In all the years I have travelled between my home in Vancouver, WA to camp at the summit, though tempted, I’d never stopped to see it.
Marie was my tour guide to navigate a rough yet safe Forest Service trail to see the falls from top to bottom. This beauty, the second largest waterfall in Oregon after Multnomah Falls, it is a hidden treasure.
Salt Creek Falls
With my eyes and camera I plunge into the pool at the base of a magnificent waterfall. In a time when water is more precious than many other commodities, I offer blessings to this natural wonder. Thank you Marie, for bringing me here.
Wishing everyone safe travels as we navigate outward once again. Please stay safe.🐾
What a perfect opportunity to feature the Albany, Oregon Historical Carousel and Museum!
The Albany Carousel has a 1909 Dentzel mechanism, donated by the great-grandson of Gustav Dentzel, the founder of Dentzel Carousel Corporation.
This carousel is a menagerie style unit with 52 animals ranging from a seven foot plus tall giraffe, dogs, cats, zebras, unicorns, dragons, to lions, tigers, and bears.
All the animals are hand-carved and painted by volunteers using designs created by individuals who sponsor the particular animal. https://albanycarousel.com/about/
I never grow tired of the beautiful wash of light and color in sunsets. At my home in Vancouver, the sun lowers through mature Douglas firs in my backyard and then disappears behind my neighbor’s home. At the beach, I have an unobstructed view of the last light of day at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Three photos, same scene, viewed through the natural filter of sunlight in the atmosphere.
Pink tones from sunrise reflecting on this cumulus cloud made it appear soft, like cotton candy. Using a Noir filter creates a much more ominous impression.
Low tide in landscape photo gives us a sense of how big this beach is, and how very far out the tide has receded.
A vertical shot of the same beach vista draws us into the vanishing point.
I have been experimenting with the filters available in iPhoto. I like the effect the one called Process has on this lovely Calla lily.
I’ll close with another experiment with filters, this one, called Chrome adds a crisp finish to the image of an Immature Bald Eagle in flight.
Wishing everyone safe travels as we navigate outward once again. Please stay safe.🐾
Walking With Eagles is a collection of original poems and photographs by Lindy Low Le Coq. A lifelong naturalist, amateur photographer and bird enthusiast, Lindy’s verse, composition and photographs open a window into the essence of her subjects. Her poems and photography reflect the rich natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest.
Bald Eagles mature over the course of five years. Walking With Eagles invites the reader to take a poetic and visual tour of this odyssey.
view ~ Walking With Eagles ~ in top menu bar for a preview, though the folio is much nicer!
Lindy Low LeCoq 