ARIZONA STREET OVERBRIDGE

If you go to the south side of the Arizona St. bridge over what I call Garrison Creek and Garrison Lake, and look on the creek side you'll see this marshy area. What looks like quite a mess and tangle of dross in the below photo is actually a lovely blend of reeds, grass, lily pods (one in bloom here) and the reflection of all the above, plus some out of sight trees. It's really very pretty. If you click this photo on you might see it in a larger form. Then the reflections really stand out and you'll see what I mean. The orange colored lily pod that is blooming is about 1/4 way up on the left center-ish. See if you can find it.

This second shot is the same general area, but at a distance so you can see the reflection of the large tree. Bet the who ever lives in that house has one great view of not only the creek and the lake but maybe some of the ocean over the narrow strip of dune that separates the lake from the mighty Pacific.

I think we're all looking for a repeat of the sunny weather today. It was almost hot for awhile this afternoon! and sort of muggy. I come from the San Francisco Bay Area and I immediately think "earthquake weather"! And the way that there's been a lot of rockin' n rollin' going on with Ma Nature all over the globe these days, I wouldn't have been half surprised if I'd felt a shake or two. Hopefully NOT!!
I'm looking forward to taking more photos that show blue sky and blue water. The gray and stormy have their place......but not until next fall, please.

THURSDAY

I took a shot of this first rock rose at a home over by Arizona Street at Garrison Lake. There were a lot of blooms but this was the first I saw open. A few rain drops only added to it, I think. It looks like crushed voile. Since I've been looking at various sheers for a change in some of the rooms at home, I must have had that in mind as I looked at this little flower. When we lived in Grass Valley the summers were very hot. One particular area just wouldn't grow anything because of the heat and poor soil there. Someone told me that rock rose was a heat lover so I got some and planted about 3 or 4 small bushes. I really did think it would be a very short growing season for these poor little plants. Instead, they just exploded!! I probably could have sat watching them and marked the amazingly rapid growth. By the end of that summer they were full and covered with blooms and filling in that whole problem area. So....I though they'd do great up here with a lot of water but still in a sunny place. No......they grow, but not well. The soil I planted them in is sure problem enough. One of the builders of this house decided that he could use the topsoil over at his own house, so just carted the good stuff off from here and used it in his gardens. Guess this problem area has a little too much problem even for the sturdy rock rose.

This second shot is another one of Garrison Creek. I'm not sure if that's even the correct name for it. If anyone knows differently, please let me know. It's another favorite area of mine. Like Garrison Lake.....always new and changing.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

LATE AFTERNOON LIGHT

Did we have sun today?? It's been sort of an 'all-over-the-map' kind of day. It wasn't blazing sunlight.....that I do know. But I took these late afternoon shots out at Garrison Lake and there was sort of a soft glow.....almost the gray we're all getting used to....but there was a hint of warmth for the snaps. I love Garrison Lake!! It's always changing, always beautiful and I never know what new surprise might be waiting for me when ever I drive by. We used to live above Battle Rock and the view was wonderful but after a while, if you want a life, it becomes more of a picture on the wall that you've started to take for granted. You just don't sit there for hours and admire it.......at least I didn't. Maybe it's the same living on the lake. One of the things I love about living in Cedar Terrace is the surrounded feeling I have living among the trees and the rest of Mother Nature's nesting ground. So, perhaps a lake would have the same appeal for me......It's not 'out there' at a distance but something I can feel a part of. I'm always promising myself that some morning or afternoon I'm going to just drive down there and sit with my camera and just watch, wait for whatever happens to happen, and enjoy.....just drink it all it. "Just One Of These Days............" Someone should write a song........

SOME SPRING BLOOMS

Today a good part of the afternoon was dedicated to the frustration of installing a new printer. I think this new printer, a Kodak, is really going to be a winner, but oh.....the angst of trying to find out which wire leads to which plug leads to which outlet....then how to untangle and figure the work of getting said wire and plug from point A to point B. Of course it called for moving half the house hold to finally accomplish. And actually trying to SEE in the dark corners behind the over-built desk and hutch that houses the whole mess. But!!! I can really use it where I couldn't figure much of anything out of my old one and sure couldn't print any photos. And it was SO noisy! The Kodak? Easy. And the colors weren't at all bad for me to use in making up my greeting cards.

I did get out today, with tripod, to take a couple of snaps in the front garden. The first one is our Pieris Andromeda. Every spring it has these delicate looking little clusters of white bells. They make pretty good cut bouquets, too. Now the lower photo.......This clivia I call the "Survivor". When I first found it in a nursery down in Auborn, California, it was barely alive because of having been left out in the snow and freeze. But it came back with some TLC, and blooming time after time, and multiplying over and over again. I've been able to divide it and share with many friends here in Port Orford and I think they have better results than I do, usually. This winter, the poor ole' thing had a repeat nightmare.......left out in the snow and freeze. I thought I might have lost, not just one, but three potted plants I had in front. Well, as you can see, here comes one big beautiful bloom on one plant and there's another on one of the others. The leaves aren't looking too good yet.....in fact they're fairly non-existent, but the blooms are celebrating Renewed Life! Again!

LOOK WHO'S HERE!!

Yep!! Here he is!! For those who don't know, this is Norm......or AKA "He-who-keeps-my-feet-warm".

Beautiful blue eyes and a big ole' smile. He considers it his 'job' to make sure that I have something each and every day to laugh at, at least once. Considering the sometimes odd way I see the world, I don't think this is a very hard task for him to accomplish.......in fact, he's using me as his excuse.....because HE wants to laugh at least once every day. Well, we both keep each other pretty happy. He looks very pleased with himself in this shot since he finally figured out a plumbing problem that has been plauging him for about a week. Seems the foreign instruction manual just 'assumed' that everyone would know that the faucet could unscrew rather than being gently pulled up as the drawing in the manual gave hint to. And now his next vexing problem soon to be solved is getting Netflick right off the TV. Again, the manual......in this case they use their own language and assume that everyone automatically knows their techie jargon. What he DID find out is that he needs to go back to Fred Meyer and ask about what else he needs to go with his BluRay. One little baby step for my man-kind......but one step closer to another pleased -with himself -smile.

THE LAST KIDS ART CLASS

These are a couple of shots I took last weekend at the Kids Art Class. A very gifted and talented artist/teacher by lovely name of Anastasia, came all the way over from Coquille for two Saturdays to work with the children in creating their own works of art. The results were pretty remarkable. I especially like the one here by Jason Wilhite and his portrayal of the "Aye, Matey!" pirate....ARRRGH!!

Any pirate with eyebrows like that has to be a bad guy, right?

Pretty good, don't you think? They used poster paint and as neat as everyone tried to be, somehow I even got some on me and my camera. Neon Yellow, to be exact.

This second photo is of the sweet little Rayna Grace and her finger painting exercise. She's still pretty young but is growing into her own creative style rapidly. When she first came last year, I have one photo where she hadn't quite mastered the art of holding a crayon or brush other than awkwardly. I'm almost sure that any day now she'll be branching into calligraphy. 8-D)) In the most beautiful color blue she can find.

END OF OUR HEADS VISIT (for a while)

Some shots work OK when you shoot into the light.....the top of this image wasn't one of them. That one particular very old tree, though, always draws me to try to capture the wonderful old spirit it holds. It has moss growing along it's many, many branches as well as ferns nestled in here and there. And it's BIG! So....in spite of the flare in the upper part, I just couldn't not include it....

And I always see photos of the front of the Coast Guard Station and have gotten a little tired of it.......so here we can look at the backside, which I think is just as beautiful. Although I can't help but remember when I volunteered there and climbing those back steps into the old kitchen/now gift shop. I would rush in and run over to punch in the code before the alarm went off. A couple of times....two times! it happened. Thankfully, once the park rangers were there and even they had a time figuring how to turn it off......the second time, Barbara from next door came running over and knew exactly what to do. I just remember the cold, clammy dread and rush of adrenaline when that alarm would first start to screech. I'm much more comfortable now taking it's picture from a distance and safe from 'breaking and entering'.

PRIDE IN THE PAST & PRESENT

Norm suggested I get some updated photos of the Coast Guard boat up at the CG museum. It wasn't raining!!! Surprise-surprise!! But the wind was pretty cold. When we stood in the sun, it felt so good! That wind, though, let the American flag stand at attention for the camera. It's a beautiful old boat and a real credit to not only the now retired US Coast Guard but to the local volunteers who refurbished her. In enlarging the photos to see how sharp the resolution of the photo turned out, I was able to get up close and personal and the job they did and, I guess, the upkeep they do, is really well done. I don't know how often the volunteers are told how much their work is appreciated, so if you happen to come across any that you know of, be sure and let them know. Or better yet, go visit the museum again.....take a hike on the beautiful paths and admire that fantastic view......write in the comment book at the museum, and yes, even drop off a small donation. Because it's a job very well done.

BANDON MARINA CONTINUED

Here are two more I took yesterday. This first one is looking west down the Coquille Rv. You can see the red roof of the Coast Guard Station, behind the tree, and then the lighthouse off on the left at the bar. A few minutes after I took this shot, a sea lion was bobbing around.....the seagulls took off.....but the sea lion didn't stick around very long.

This second photo is looking down the boat ramp, obviously, into the marina. The cloud formations made for an ideal backdrop, as well as that seagull on the right.

Today was beautiful, wasn't it? We had a number of errands up in Coos Bay, and everywhere we went the favorite topic of conversation was "Isn't it wonderful to see the sun!!" I mean, it was THE talk of the town!! Sort of funny when you think about it. It's not like we live up at the North Pole.........we're spoiled, is what we are. The weather here is just about perfect as far as I'm concerned and we've just come to expect that perfection to continue, without any interruption. So, I'll have more sun and warm temperatures, thank you very much. No more mistakes please, Mother Nature.

BIG NEWS ALERT---SUN SHINES ON OREGON COAST!!

Wasn't it great to see it today? Maybe not ALL day but enough for us to know that it's still there! I was having my doubts. After I dropped off a few pelican photos at the hospital for the exhibit, Norm and I had lunch at Two Loons (no jokes, please). They have the best quiche!! Unfortunately, it's about the only place that has quiche around..........but they do a fantastic job and it's consistently good. With the sun trying to break through some of the clouds, we went down to the marina where I took a few, or many more, shots. (I don't seem to have that "took a few" down too well yet). The first one I thought was pretty good of the Bandon lighthouse. They've repainted it and I enjoy the bright colors.

This second photo is what I call "Shrimp Bisque on the Rocks". Some young man from one of the fish markets came over to throw a bowl of old shrimp over the side of the boardwalk. There were seagulls and crows all over.....all trying to get their free lunch. And me moving around quickly when the over-head action became a little to thick. I'm not much of a bird photographer but I do like the open wings of this crow.

Tomorrow the sun is supposed to be with us again.....at least for the day. Let's all enjoy it!

OUR LOVELY OREGON SPRING

Yesterday, Easter Sunday, we had snow......today, it was one hail storm after another. And one boom of thunder after another. Pretty wild day, weather-wise. I'm surprised there wasn't any power outages, at least where we live. I wouldn't be at all surprised if we haven't exceeded in rainfall what we had measured for all winter. And any hope of a pear crop at our house is now pretty well doomed, I think. Anyway, This first shot is a little blurry, but I was getting beaten by hail and rain.....both me AND my camera. It just wasn't the right time to set up and use my new tripod.
The second image is some of the hail that deposited itself in a garden abalone shell. The colors of the shell make sort of an interesting contrast along with the grass in the background. I think the 6-10 day forecast is showers tomorrow and then just partly cloudy for the next several days. I think we're all more than ready.......
A side note......for anyone interested in pelicans and/or photography..... the Southern Coos Hospital in Bandon will be accepting pelican art over the next two days getting ready for a month long exhibit. The number of pelicans that graced our shores last winter made quite an impact on many an artistic eye. I think it should be a great show. Also.....Pat Stannard will have a month long display of some of her wonderful photographic work at the Langlois library, so try to stop by and take a look. And let's all look for sunny days ahead!

BRINGING HOME THE GIRLS

Bringing home the girls is what I thought when I saw this scene. I wish I could let you view the entire picture of what was happening. The cows were running to, and along side, and ahead of the man you see in this photo. Calves were running and kicking up their heels, I think, just for the pure fun of it. They look too young to me to know the taste of hay yet. The noise is what first got my attention.....being in the middle of a stampede was barely louder, I think. All the mooing going on from all of them...It was a lot of fun to watch.

This second is just one more of the afternoon out on the eastside. This is probably the last of the photos from that day. Tomorrow (or today, depending on when you're reading this) I need to get out there and gather some more shoots. I hope the weather will cooperate.....just a little is all I ask. Today, Easter Sunday, a few weeks into spring and we had snow here today!! It didn't stick but it was definitely the white stuff coming down. I think we're all ready for some warmer weather along with some sunshine. Everyone have a great Monday!!

THE SLOUGH CONTINUED

Here is one of the abandoned boats I mentioned in yesterday's posting. I'm sure at one time it was the dream and fun times of someone.....boats usually are. She was probably cleaned, shined and polished with great care and love.......and now.........sigh....

Below is one of the many nice water views we came across. Even though the water was a little green for my taste, the reflection is good and the blue sky plus those beautiful clouds made for a pretty good photo. And I love those stumps! Rustic looking, I guess.
Well, I have a lot of my greeting cars I need to make up tomorrow and so probably won't be posting but I want to wish all of you a lovely and Happy Easter!!

SOMEWHERE EAST OF EDEN (?)

No, not really.....Somewhere east of Coos Bay on the way to Allegeny. I was a passenger and taking in the sights more than paying attention to where we were.....which was slightly lost. But enjoyably so. A friend and I traveled along some kind of slough road....Does Coalbank sound familiar to anyone or am I just making it up? Whatever or where ever, it was a beautiful little side trip. There was a lot of water....I mean a LOT! The ground is pretty saturated after all the rains but I didn't really see any flooding. There was one cow, one of many, that seemed to be very happy standing knee deep in water that was making a pond out of one pasture. And since my feet hurt a lot, I could fully understand her contented look. The clouds were those beautiful thunder-bumpers which added to the whole scene. Lots of farms and some quaint little homes like the one pictured above. Others were rugged and told of maybe harder times. The below photo is I-don't-know-what......some kind of loading dock that was used when the slough might have been used more commercially than it is now.....just a guess.

The sloughs must have been used at one time because there were various kinds of boats seen every so often.......boats that were in pretty rough condition. And lots of birds......We saw a pair of kingfishers but I didn't have my telephoto lens so the shots I got are terrible. Then the usual ducks and geese, cormorants......and one set of birds that were either dry, tan cormorants or possibly young herons. I'll send that photo onto some of my bird expert friends and they can make the final call. So.....all in all.....a great way to get lost and have wonderful afternoon, too!

I want to do it again!!