~ Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #17: Just For Fun ~

Going for our walk, whether at home or at the beach, is when Jello get’s excited! We have a game that includes her stealing one of my socks as I get them out of the drawer, then dashing around the house throwing it into the air, and finally taking it downstairs where she pretends to eat it!

IMG_1391

Before I even have my shoes on, I’m laughing aloud, and all kinds of ‘happy endorphins’ are coursing through me! In our neighborhood, many people walk or run, and dogs on leashes take their humans out to explore 🐾

IMG_1407

This little fairy fantasy appeared last spring under a neighbor’s spruce tree, across the street. We don’t know who created it, however it appears to be cared for, as the tiny hamlet remains upright and tidy!

IMG_1394

One of my favorite ways to decorate is using the season’s theme plus plants that accentuate the effect. This neighbor consistently provides great displays along the fence in front of his property. More fun, more smiles, more happy endorphins!

IMG_1404

Who knows what might emerge from the undergrowth in our damp Pacific Northwest autumn!

IMG_1409

After our walk, my favorite “spooks” welcome us home with more smiles! 

Cheers to fun – in its many guises!

 

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge: #17 Just For Fun

Posted in Beagles, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, pacific northwest, photography | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Spooky! ~

This gallery contains 3 photos.

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

This gallery contains 3 photos.

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Challenge #16 – Big Can Be Beautiful Too! ~

Big (like small) is always relative…

P1020514

…and, subject to one’s perspective! Though the tower and power lines above, may be considered an ugly intrusion, the electricity they conduct safely across large swaths of terrain provide safety, warmth and light to many homes and businesses.

IMG_9903

To those who regularly fish the oceans and rivers for BIG fish, this one may seem like small fry. To me, this lake trout (Mackinaw) is the biggest I’ve caught in a long time!

IMG_9432How big is this nest?

Featured in the front yard of a home in Portland, this folk-art is large enough for two or three small children or one adult to nestle into. Dandelions provide relative scale!

IMG_9185On its own, this could be “any old egg.” In my hand it is clearly, “one big egg!” Found on the beach, the underside is broken where a Bald Eagle chick emerged.

IMG_2944

The eagle egg shell was discovered here, on Long Beach, WA. Many of the photos I’ve taken at Long Beach fail to give a sense of how big it is! In this one from my archives, the two women rushing to greet one another in the distance, give us a sense of scale.

 https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2018/10/20/lens-artists-challenge-16-big-can-be-beautiful-too/

Posted in Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #15: Changing ~ Changeable ~ Bald Eagle ~

~ A Five Year Odyssey to Maturity ~

When I first saw this beauty, I thought it might be a Golden Eagle. After checking with eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), I learned it was a one year old Bald Eagle. Brown all over, lighter brown on the back. At one year old, it has just a hint of yellow on its beak.

P1080902P1080999

Seeing this one on the shoreline still asking adults to feed it, I thought it was a juvenile! Since then, I’ve learned the mottling on its chest and extensive white on the wingtips, plus the emergence of yellow on its beak indicate it is about two years old – an immature, but not a juvenile!

P1080677P1080651

By three years old, Bald Eagle’s still have some white on their chest and underwings, but black-brown feathering is dominant. In the top photo a distinct dark eye-stripe, between its white crown and grey chin-feathers, are characteristic of this still immature age.

P1080664

By four years old, Bald Eagles gain their stark-white head and tail-feathers, and their fully-feathered black-brown body. Between four and five, Bald Eagles are fully mature, mate for life and fiercely protect their progeny.

P1080713

When this Northern Harrier harassed a mature Bald Eagle, the scene changed in an instant!

P1090201P1090202

So many changes – some immediate – some gradual, some positive – some devastating. Sending prayers to those who have had their lives turned up-side-down by events beyond their control.

 

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #15: Changing and/or Changeable

Posted in birds, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, ornithology, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

IMG_1087

IMG_1084IMG_E1085

Posted in pacific northwest, pacific ocean, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

~ Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Things People Play With ~

Let’s have some imaginative fun outside!

IMG_7126IMG_7128

Nickels and dimes didn’t come easy when I was a kid, but oh, I would have loved to ride this into the horizon if given a chance!

IMG_9842

Someone’s going to have a unicorn ride in the lake!

Version 2

Forts – a kid hide-away -no adults allowed!

P1090046P1070063

Sand, a bucket or cup, a trowel, a stick provide all a young person needs to be creative. Of course, walking or running on the beach with your dog is also a barrel of fun!

P1080936P1080937

And then there’s learning to fly a kite on a warm breezy day!

Cheers to playing outside!

cffc

 

Posted in Cee's Fun Foto Challenge, pacific northwest | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #14: Windows ~ “The View From Here” ~

Leya, challenges us to “find a favorite window and show our special choice,” for this week’s Lens-Artist Challenge.

IMG_1111

This morning, sunshine is pouring through the window of the keeping room, where I sit in my well-worn chair with my laptop to write, blog, catch up on emails/news, and enjoy the view.

IMG_9738

It’s a fairly ordinary window, though the bay type shelf provides space for plants and some glass keepsakes. The Dove is a piece my sister gave me years ago, which provides beauty, as it functions to keep birds from slamming into the glass.

~~~~~

Another favorite view is from the picture window of our condominium at The Breaker’s in Long Beach, WA.

IMG_9521

We frequently see Black-tail Deer graze through the meadow, and watch Northern Harriers and other birds flying throughout the open space. In spring the meadow becomes a marshland which hosts many migrating birds.

img_7843Sunset over the marshes.

 

cropped-p1070067.jpgSun setting over the Pacific Ocean.

 

 

https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2018/10/06/lens-artists-photo-challenge-14-windows/

Posted in Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, pacific northwest, pacific ocean | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

IMG_1094

Posted in bugs & critters, nature, pacific northwest, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

~ New Dune Runes ~ Wordless Wednesday ~

IMG_0971IMG_1001IMG_1002

Alloniscus perconvexus

Posted in Art, bugs & critters, nature, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments