February 7, 2013 - Widgeon at Last!

The view at 4:45 pm - I love what late sunlight does!

Two widgeon on the wing...

and back in the pond.

I've been trying for several weeks to get a photograph of the widgeon that are so common here.  I know where to hike to find them - and they were all a long way off the shoreline the day I went out.  They're often mixed in with the coot and the mallards - but none close enough to get a good photo.  Finally...today...and I couldn't even tell who I had in the viewfinder until I got home and put it up on the computer.  There were at least twelve to fourteen on the pond, all of whom scattered when I appeared.  Then this pair returned, circling the pond several times before finally deciding I was harmless and landing.  I wonder if they already have a nest in the reeds on the bank. 'Tis the season.

 

There was time in the garden this afternoon, followed by the walk into yet another gorgeous sunset.  (Primarily golds, this evening.)  I came back home just as my husband pulled up in his car, returning from work.  Our meetings at the end of the day are inevitably the highlight of my day...so much love, just walking in the door.  

February 6, 2013 - More of Yesterday

Kestrel - also known as sparrow hawk

Columbia basin basalt

Horse heaven hills

Near sunset

Today was a lovely day - lots of sun, reasonably warm...and just not enough time to get in the photographs I would have liked to have taken.  So, I thought I'd share a few from yesterday (and the kestrel I promised a few days back.)

 

How to describe the beauty of the day?  This morning the sunset was pale pink and gold, and the hills across the river were outlined with sun and shadow.  Eagles flew over the river, through the wind we had earlier in the day.  Then, a trip into town brought views of the Snake River, the Columbia, and a very dark sky to the west, where clouds were beginning to gather.  By mid-afternoon, those clouds had moved in, changing the mood of the day for me.  The faint glow of a sunset in the evening, where a small, clear area remained on the southern horizon, was a final benediction to the day.

February 5, 2013 - To Portland and Back

Just past sunrise

Entering the Columbia Gorge

In the Cascade mountains

Returning home

Sunset over the Horse Heaven Hills

Multnomah Falls

The photographs were all taken out the car window, while in motion (except for the one at Multnomah, which conveniently has an exit and parking lot.)  I love the play of the light through the Columbia Gorge - and I have long loved our columnar basalt formations, and the undulating hills which catch that light in such striking ways. 

 

 Today my husband and I drove to Casey Eye Institute in Portland, where I got good news - my left eye has returned to normal, so no surgery is needed, and I can start driving again.  Hooray!  Then, for good measure, I didn't need injections in either eye, so went home able to enjoy the scenery.

 

And I certainly did enjoy.  Not only the light, but we watched large flocks of ducks, a considerable number of eagles, viewed a large beaver dam, saw two groups of mountain sheep, and enjoyed both a beautiful sunrise and sunset (though I did have to crane my neck to see the latter.)  We went from sun to clouds to sun to rain to sun...spring must getting near.  The hills were green, the river mostly calm, and the trip a delight.  I am so thankful to be able to see better - and I am so thankful for all those who have driven me while I couldn't drive myself.

February 4, 2013 - Homemade Beauty

One quilt

Two quilt

House finches

Today began with a trip into town for PT, then continued with picking up materials for some Valentines Day projects for children.  A group of friends met for lunch, then headed to one of the women's house to play games...and there I encountered these absolutely gorgeous quilts - just completed - just getting ready to be delivered.  Imagine...if I had visited a few days later, I could easily have missed the opportunity to see these!  All three of the friends I met with are talented quilters.  Alas!  That is not a skill I have worked to achieve.  But I certainly appreciate the effort, the skill, the ability to match color, pattern, and feel to achieve a result that is an art form.

 

Upon returning home I did a few chores, then headed back outside with the camera.  The maple tree was filled with house finches, who soon adjusted to my presence, and pretty much ignored me, allowing lots of photographs to be taken.  I also noticed some fresh deer tracks in my garden - but couldn't find that anything new had been munched on.  Maybe they were just checking to see what was getting to a perfect ripeness for them.  I do wish they'd visit when I could see them (they're always here at night).  So, for them, I just imagine what they look like, and keep my eyes open for when there are fresh, tiny hoofprints, letting me know fawns have been born.  Not yet this year...

February 3, 2013 - Snake River Reflections

American white pelican

Horned grebes

Immature double-crested cormorant

Western grebe

American white pelican

Today we awoke to fog and temperatures below freezing.  It stayed either foggy or overcast through church, choir practice, and a potluck.  When we got home, my husband thought we should grab the camera and head out in a different direction.  So, off to the Snake River, above Ice Harbor Dam, and to Charbonneau State Park.

 

Something amazing happened on the way there.  The sun tried to break through the fog, then actually did break through the fog.  It never cleared completely, but we saw blue sky, had to shade our eyes occasionally, and enjoyed the beauty of the birds on the river.  (I'll save a wonderful close-up of a kestrel for another day...)  The pelicans were unbelievably numerous.  I have no idea how many we saw, but it was a lot!  The grebes kept popping up all over the river - mostly the horned grebes, but also least grebes and western grebes. 

 

Then back toward home, and back into the fog.  We met the same train twice - once we beat it, once it beat us.  We stopped at some of our favorite place at McNary Wildlife Refuge, and saw swans, snow geese, Canadian geese, and lots of various kinds of ducks, along with several raptors.  We are truly enjoying these outings - just driving, seeing what there is to be seen, and talking with one another.  God is good - God's creation is good - I want to be a good steward of that creation.

February 2, 2013 - Another Sunny Day!

Pond reed reflections

Sunset - beauty late in the day

Today was another beautiful day, but there was little time to get out with the camera.  My husband and I were quite occupied with moving things back into the guest bedroom, sorting things that belong in his office, and later, doing some housekeeping.  By the time I could get around to getting out with the camera, I was too worn to go anywhere.  (Guess I still need to pace myself a bit...)  So - a photo from a few days ago, and one of the beautiful sunset we had today.  I only need to walk across the street to get a good picture of the sunset - and it is, indeed, one of my favorite views.

 

Then, an evening with friends, enjoying good food, good company, and watching "Groundhog Day" - a family tradition for February 2nd.  Alas, any groundhogs around here would definitely have seen their shadows, so six more weeks of winter!  Of course, one way or another, the calendar will say that...

February 1, 2013 - A Walk in the Park

Hide 'n' Seek

Rattlesnake Mountain, over the Columbia

Canadian geese by the fishing pond

Today was another beautiful day.  Warm, sunny, not windy, lots and lots of blue sky, capped by another of those 360 degree sunsets.  I took a short walk in the park, with a very patient friend (I walk very slowly at this point).  The quail, of course, didn't pose...but the squirrel did, and the geese were simply unconcerned, one way or another.  No coats needed, no hats, no gloves...just a light fleece to stay warm - and that wouldn't have been necessary, had we been able to walk at a normal pace.

 

The walk in the park was preceded by communion, then strolling out to the garden behind the church to feed the birds the leftover bread, and finding...broccoli!  Quite a bit of ripe broccoli!  Which is amazing.  If the broccoli crop in southern California was ruined with a light freeze, how did ours survive two weeks of below freezing temperatures?  I have no idea, but there it was...so we got out pen knives and kitchen knives, and busily harvested most of what was ripe - along with some spinach, for good measure.  And yes, it tasted wonderful!  (The vegetables that can handle it seem to taste a bit sweeter after being frozen.)  Perhaps I'll pick some of the cilantro in my own garden tomorrow.