~ Miller Lake ~ A Gem of the Cascades ~

 

During my fishing vacation, my sister and brother-in-law took me on a day trip to Miller Lake, about an hour from our campground.

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Along the way we stopped to take pictures of Mt. Thielsen, an extinct shield volcano, elevation 9,183 feet (2799 meters), not far from Crater Lake. 

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A natural freshwater lake with a maximum depth of 145 feet (40mm), the lovely shades of the water was the main reason my sister wanted me to see it. Gorgeous colors!

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Stocked with Rainbow, Kokanee and Brown trout, people fished from shore when we visited. The sandy beach and clear water invite visitors to swim, kayak, canoe and paddle board. No motors are allowed which keeps the lake waters quiet and peaceful.

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If this canoe were mine, I would have taken Jello out to explore!

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Instead, we wandered along the shoreline, then took a short walk on a nearby trail. Such a pretty place – worth visiting again!

 

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Posted in geology, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, photography, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge 111 ~ Everyday Objects ~ Tools That Work ~

 

 I love tools, like this crock of kitchen utensils, at hand beside my stove-top.

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To be at ease, I want the tools on the kitchen counter to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, like the hand-made ceramic herb jars, and the wooden pepper-mill, hand-crafted by a friend. 

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This antique striking clock is both handsome and useful. It keeps perfect time (so long as it’s wound!), and I can hear it from all rooms upstairs in my home.

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Next to the front door, a rustic hook holds the key to our locking mailbox. The copper and crystal art piece was created by a dear friend who passed away a few years ago. It is a lovely reminder of her sweet spirit.

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In the music room downstairs, the walls are lined with Creighton’s massive CD collection of Jazz, Classical, Rock, Folk and Celtic music. The bass featured is a Fender Precision, one of his four bass guitars.

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“What was it? She wondered. What happened on their first encounter that seized her heartstrings and never let go? Was it his bright blue eyes? Yes. His smile? Yes. A voice rich in laughter? Yes, and his beautiful Gibson six-string guitar.” 

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Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

 

Thanks to Patti for this opportunity to showcase everyday objects that bring me joy!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #111: Everyday Objects

Posted in antiques, Beagles, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, music, Musical Instruments, photography, weekly photo challenge | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Odell Lake ~

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~~~~~

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Posted in birds, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, photography, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge 110 ~ Creativity in the time of Covid ~ Water Colors ~

lake water

always moving

ripple 2

4

transparent

liquid

53

wind riffles

2

sunshine clouds

14

water colors

~~~~~

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

~~~~~

All photos taken with my iPhone 7, while in my sister and brother-in-law’s boat fishing at Odell Lake, Deschutes National Forest, Oregon. Thank you Tina for giving us free-rein!

 

Posted in Art, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, photography, Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Odell Lake Reflections ~

sunrisewiggley treesclouds reflected

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Posted in nature, nature photography, outdoors, pacific northwest, photography, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Fledgling Song Sparrow Bath ~

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Melospiza melodia

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Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Posted in Birding, birds, landscape gardening, nature photography, ornithology, pacific northwest, photography, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge ~ 109 ~ Under The Sun ~

Here Comes The Sun

George Harrison

“Little darling, its been a long cold lonely winter

Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here”

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“Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun, and I say

It’s all right”

 

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“Little darling, the sun’s returning to their faces

Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here”

 

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“Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun, and I say

It’s all right”

geese at sun down

“Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting

Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been clear”

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“Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun, and I say

It’s all right”

 

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

 

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #109: Under the Sun

Posted in climate change, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature photography, pacific northwest, Report from the Edge of a Continent | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #108 ~ Sanctuary ~

Over the course of 35 years nurturing the flora of my back yard, it has become a bird sanctuary.

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Tall trees, medium shrubs and ground cover provide safe haven for Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Bushtits, Oregon Junco, Spotted Towhee, Bewick Wren, Song Sparrow,

Anna’s & Rufus Hummingbirds, Northern Flicker, Northern Crow, Steller’s Jay, Downy Woodpecker, Mourning Dove, Red-crested Kinglet and in winter 2019, a Snowy Plover.

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koi 2Bird baths, a pond and well-stocked feeders attract birds year round.

 

leaves 2In summer, at the end of the day, I sit in my leafy bower sanctuary and enjoy the abundance of life around me.

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Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

 

https://tranature.com/2020/08/01/lens-artists-weekly-photo-challenge-108-sanctuary/

Posted in Birding, birds, Gardening, landscape gardening, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, ornithology, pacific northwest, photography, plants, trees | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Brown Pelicans and Friends ~

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Pelecanus occidentalis

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

Posted in Birding, birds, nature, nature photography, ornithology, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #107 ~ Winter ~

As autumn gives way to winter, colder days with wind and rain,

bare branches

strip deciduous trees bare.

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A crisp icy fragrance bites on the edge of the breeze, hinting of frosty nights.

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Queen Anne’s Lace has scattered her seed – ice crusts the edge of life.

~~~~~

Sometimes we have snow –

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the kind that swirls in soft fluffs, enveloping our world in quiet peace.

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Beagle heaven, especially when there’s a nice warm fire at the end of our walk!

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When snow graces Daphne blossoms, winter begins to melt into the promise of spring.

~~~~~

Wishing everyone safe harbor, as we navigate uncharted waters.🐾

 

Thanks to Leya for inspiration. On the hottest week we’ve had here in Vancouver, USA, remembering the crisp edge of winter truly was a refreshing challenge! 

https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2020/07/25/lens-artists-photo-challenge-107-winter/

 

 

 

Posted in Beagles, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, pacific northwest, photography, trees | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments