This week Cee offers an array of subjects for us to choose to contribute to her Fun Foto Challenge. Photos of jet plane contrails reflecting on the calm surface of Odell Lake, Oregon, are among my favorites.
Clouds also fit the challenge. Being in the Pacific Northwest, we are treated to many different cloud formations throughout the year.
Portland, Oregon’s tram lines on another cloudy day.
Clouds would be welcome here these days!
Bugs and butterflies have attracted me since my childhood; from their lovely textures and patterns, to their ability to blend-in with their environment. Here are a few from my recent wanderings through fields and meadows.
Other critters also use the patterns and colors around them to provide protection. This pair of Junco’s brought their fledglings out to learn to forage along my gravel pathway near the pond, where I toss millet daily. They are almost invisible!
Often I don’t see frogs near the pond – I just hear them hit the water with a loud plop!
Thanks to Leya for this week’s Lense-Artist Photo Challenge!
https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2018/08/11/lens-artists-photo-challenge-patterns/
This region is about to surpass the last record for number of days with temperatures at or above 90f (33c). No doubt about it – dog days are here.
Jello soaks up healing from warm gravel and sunshine.
Once sufficiently toasted, she seeks cool nests in the undergrowth.
When it’s all just too much, she finds comfort inside.
We count our blessings.
At the end of the day, I enjoy peaceful moments outside listening to the birds as they gather at nearby feeders, and watching koi glean the surface in my pond.
On hot evenings, such as we have been experiencing this past week, sprinkling around the top of the waterfall creates a cooling effect and attracts birds to bathe and drink.
Mourning Doves are frequent visitors.
While I enjoy a glass of crisp wine, Jello likes to rest in this earthen nest she’s fashioned under a shrub. Here she can nod off to sleep and still keep an eye on me!
My Pond Sanctuary
Cheers to all!
Yes, I have been busy with other important facets of my life, yet I’ve missed posting regularly. Now I see that Tina Schell, and three other bloggers (previously unknown to me) have developed a consortium to provide those who loved the weekly challenge with a new place to find inspiration and share our photographic efforts!
Crescent Creek at the source.
While writing this post I was at the summit of Willamette Pass in the Oregon Cascade Mountain Range (USA). Daytime temperatures were into the 90’s (33c) though afternoon breezes helped ease our evenings.
The cooling power of water is powerful – in mirages and in photographs. Please enjoy a few of my favorite images of “Cool Water”.*
Thank you to: Tina of https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com, Patti of https://pilotfishblog.com, Ann-Christine aka Leya of https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com, and Amy of https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com
*When I was younger, my family loved to sing together especially songs by The Son’s of The Pioneers. “Cool Water”, written by Bob Nolan in 1936, was one of our favorites. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as number 3 on the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
Out my kitchen window this morning, a flurry of feathered activity sent me running for my iPhone.
Lesser Goldfinch, Rufous Hummingbird and Downy Woodpeckers
Everybody get’s some!
Mama Downy feedling fledgling.
This morning I was treated to a close-up view of a Northern (Red-Shafted) Flicker bringing it’s fledgling in for some easy grub from my suet feeder.
There are other fledglings being introduced to the deck feeding stations, and the grounds. I’ll share more photos as the opportunities arise.
To my friends on WordPress – please forgive my absence and tardiness in viewing your sites (not to mention contributing more regularly). I am currently working on a time-sensitive project with my sister, which will keep my focus in another direction for another three weeks. As time and energy allow – I will return to seeing what’s up in your worlds!
In the many years I’ve enjoyed seeing this lighthouse from the outside, yesterday, for the first time I was on the inside. Now open for visitors, the structure is being restored to it’s original condition.
After entering at ground level, a narrow stairway spirals to the top.
Windows along the stairway, covered over for many years, frame the view
South and North
Miles and miles of Pacific Ocean looking West.
From the top of North Head Lighthouse – beyond the rocky shore in the foreground – Long Beach stretches in the distance. An inverse image of my 6/13/18 Wordless Wednesday post!
Lindy Low LeCoq 