LOTS OF PELICANS

After the seagull feeder left and all the gulls disappeared with her, I got out of the car and started taking more snaps. In the distance, over Facerock I think, I saw what looked like a flock of pelicans. Because of their angle and distance they looked like they were just suspended, unmoving and floating over the rock. Gradually I could see that they were coming towards the jetty where we were. I got a number of good shots and have had fun experiementing with different effects....black and white, very light, etc. This first one is actually very sharp when enlarged. I love to watch the way they fly almost in formation. The second photo here is as they were heading out to sea where the Coquille River meets the Pacific. It's sort of an unusual shot, I think, and I like it.....course I like pelicans!

I think I've mentioned it before, but if you haven't seen the Pelican Exhibit up at the Bandon Hospital, try to take it in. There are some wonderful photographs there and pelicans in every possible pose you can think of and then some. The show runs until the end of June, I believe.

OK......wishing you all a Happy Tuesday!

ACROSS THE COQUILLE

Norm and I drove up to Bandon yesterday, got some fish and chips, slaw and coffee and drove out the the south jetty. While parked there eating and taking in the view, a woman came and sat on a log not too far from us. She had a bag. Guess what was in it? All the seagulls for miles around knew........FOOD. We had to roll up the window for the "just-in-case-possibility-of-you-know-what!"! The sky was just filled with every kind and color of gull you can imagine........I thought about getting my camera out, putting my food aside and getting out to take a snap........but decided against the idea as the "just-in-case-possibility-of-you-know-what" happening. I think she's a regular at this and was just so surprised that she wore a BLACK sweater! Eventually she ran out of bread or whatever she was throwing out to them and they all disappeared. Just vanished.

A while later I did get out and scout around for some appealing photo-ops........Somewhere I remember seeing a photo of something similar to this above scene. I really liked it and thought I'd try my hand at copying. I think the original photo I admired so must have had the lighthouse enlarged through layering because I seem to remember that the lighthouse didn't look quite so small and distant. But as it is, I like grasses and rocks so I'm fairly content with the results. I wish the water had not been quite so muddy but isn't the sky beautiful as the storm that had come through, was breaking up.

This afternoon I hung some of my photos down at Siren's Coffee and Chocolate. I think Dianne will be opening this week but the date is still up in the air. It sure is coming together nicely, though. Watch for the re-opening date.........then pop on by. You'll be happy you did.

FLORALS & FLORALS

I didn't get too far away from the blooms, did I? We went to town today and there was a Commissary store set up at the National Guard Armory up in Coos Bay. I had thought it was going to be warm today so I wasn't dressed for the cold. The building they held the sale in was a big drafty garage-like building. And the line was all the way around the perimenter of the building. We stood in line about an hour......no kidding.....one hour. I think they were taking a survey and hope to hold one of these commissary 'stores' every other months.....next one would be in June and hopefully warmer weather!

OK......the first floral above was the backside of a pansy that was backlit by the lowering sun in late afternoon. I enjoy trying to get the transparency of the petals or leaves so this is my first attempt at that this year. A lititle blurry but still beautiful colors, I think.

This one is a white Siberian or Japanese iris.....I never remember which is which, but it sure is pretty. I should have a couple of gorgeous blue ones coming up soon also.

Got the back weeds all whacked down this afternoon. Somehow I don't see as many of the weeds in the garden beds if the surrounding area is fairly neat looking. It even inspires me to get out there and pull some if the weather is cooperating. It's been pretty iffy lately but let's hope for some sun this weekend. And I wish you all a fun filled weekend......and a safe one for those traveling back home.

OLD CITY JAIL

As promised, I took a number of photos of the old city jail today. Looking at it today, it's just hard to believe that anyone would put another person in anything so.....well, hovel-ish. A cold, drafy cement box. Hopefully, they had some kind of window back then. I imagine it was used only for unruly 'over-nighters' who might have had one too many drinks and got in fights or something or other. Once sobered up, they were probably sent home to their unhappy wives. Maybe then, they wished themselves back in jail! 8-))

I remember when we first moved here, and since our first home was just above this old jail, I'd peeked inside and knew about it. At the 4th of July parade.....a truly BIG deal in Port Orford !!

there would be a pickup truck made out like an ole hoose-gow, and they would choose different citizens watching the parade, that they would pick up and charge with something... The 'threat' was that they would put them in the jail until someone came to pay their 'bail' AKA a donation to whatever local fund raiser was behind this. Well, like I said, I had seen inside this jail, and I think my eyes probably grew in size as I thought about the possibility of ending up in this awful and dirty place..even for a short time! Visions of spiders, rats and other vermin came to mind. Actually, they didn't put anyone in this old jail, but I didn't know that until later. In the meantime, I seem to remember standing BEHIND Norm until the portable jail passed well on by.

Just to play it safe!!

AND STILL THE RAINS COME.

I'm glad I went around the garden the other day and took a lot of shots of various blooms because I'm sure not getting out in the rain to get anything else. I enjoy photos of flowers every so often, but I have to admit that I'm craving something a little more exciting right now. No (Pam), not something that will blow me and my hat off the cliffs. Not to worry.

Well, never mind cause it's flowers that we have still. This first one is Russell's lupine. I'd heard of these flowers and seen seed packets for years but had no idea that it grew as a medium sized shrub! It's covered with blooms!! And big ones! I'll have to buy more if they come in different colors.

The second floral here is a columbine that volunteers every year, changing color as often. This year I think it's the prettiest I've seen. The white with a blush of the pink makes it look even more delicate than usual.

Well, tomorrow I'll be out and about mid-day and I'll definitely bring my camera. I just have to find something else to snap besides flowers.....lovely as they are. I have wanted to get a couple of the old City jail......that will be one of my goals. It might make up into a pretty good card, huh? I worked on cards most of the day and again, need to change the routine tomorrow. Too much sitting allows Donna to spread.....and not in a good way! Time to walk!!

APRIL SHOWERS AND SPRING FLOWERS

A busy day of the morning in Bandon (having my hair 'bent' as Norm calls it). And this afternoon I've been organizing my prints and making up more greeting cards.

Anyway, this first bloom snapped here is for Millie. I found out that she loves our beautiful little wild iris. I found these two blooming down in the lower part of my garden.....in the shade. These iris aren't bothered at all by spending even most of their time in the shade......they bloom their little hearts out anyway. They can become a pest by sowing their seeds and roots all over, but it really isn't that much trouble to keep them under control.

This second flower is something that is one of my favorites and for the life of me, I can't remember what the name of the flower is. Maybe one of you can remind me??

We did have more rain today and will probably have more tomorrow, as well. Thankfully, I still have a lot of work to do on my cards so I won't mind much.

Just finished watching the Netflick movie "Brothers". It was a good movie, well acted, good plot but emotional. I would think that Toby McGuire might be up for an Oscar for his portrayal of a war-damaged soldier.

Have a great day!

RAINS HAVE RETURNED TO SOUTH COAST OR WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

Yep, it began to rain this afternoon and looks like our greening of Oregon will be with us for another couple of days at least. Maybe just as well since I can hardly move today with sore muscles from my gardening yesterday. These are a few snaps I got in late yesterday afternoon. There are more that you'll be seeing in the next few days.

And those of you who follow, remember how I said yesterday that my friends on Flickr just won't respond to my woodsy photos. Well, I was wrong, I'm happy to report. The two pics I posted yesterday (same as the ones here) were commented on favorably.....at least from a couple of fellow photographers.

The photo here on the top is of some of our blueberry blossoms. Aren't they dainty and fragile looking? But they're tougher than they look. They survive the rains and especially our summer winds.....which are a bit more than breezes. And the berries will grace many a bowl of cereal come summer. Maybe even share a pie with some blackberries....Yummm!

And the second snap here is of a lonely but pungent chive flower. Not only pretty but so good on salads or veggies. I used to have enough when I was in California, that I'd make bouquets of the flowers......they're fairly long-lasting too. In both of these photos I enjoy looking at the background as much as the subject flower. OK.....that's it for today. Have yourself a wonderful day!

A WALK IN THE WOODS

Winding up our re-visit of the Compass Rose, I took a couple of photos of the woods on the way down to Lake Garrison. The Hansen's have carved out a nice easy to walk nature trail winding through the trees. The dappled sunlight hitting the moss covered trees have always been a favorite of mine. I continue to try and put various shots I've taken of shade/sun lit trees and posting them on Flickr. So far, I have yet to make a 'believer' out of anyone.....those pics are usually ignored completely without any comment or word whatsoever. Maybe they're trying to make a 'believer' out of me!! ...... like "NOT GOOD PHOTOGRAPHY!!" But I keep trying. Even when I was painting, I always have loved the contrast between the dark and light......and maybe that says more about the human condition than just the forests. And of course, the photography can't convey the sense of smell of the trees and undergrowth, the close-up look of the textures that might catch the eye.....so I'll just continue to enjoy it myself and keep on keeping on.

Down at the water's edge we could hear the sound of various birds, especially the red winged blackbird. Emily could see some mallard ducks and spotted where the blackbirds flew and hid in the reeds. Most who know me know my eyesight rivals Mr. McGoo so I just took her word on the fact that the birds were there. I did see the mallards (I think), though. I enjoy the editing of these kinds of shots......when I enlarge them to look at the full pixels, I look through the reeds and undergrowth hoping to see some little animal or bird hiding from me but not the lens. No luck so far. This is a lovely spot......they have built blinds located along the way where a person can sit and watch, wonder and wait......there are several bird nests around and the newest added are boxes for wood ducks. A very beautiful bird. Also in this snap you can see the side and top of Humbug Mountain off in the distance. Such a special place!! Perfect place for a wonderful get-away.

MORE DELIGHTS FROM COMPASS ROSE

It's like stepping into another world....full of the creativity and fun.

This wonderful weather vane of the

locust with it's green 'jeweled' eye has a somewhat fanciful look to it. I posted this photo on Flickr and titled it "The Good Locust". One of my Flickr friends asked why it was good.....and it was probably because it was skewered....8-)). The weather vane is on top of a barn that's right next to the vegetable garden that is right now a work of art in progress. It has a little winding rock stream and various veggies, some blueberry bushes and some herbs......and a whole lot of charm! I took a stroll down a path and through the woods to a part of Garrison Lake that has many reeds and grasses and loaded with birds......and I guess fish too. I saw a big heron down there the other day so he must have been fishing for something good. I still need to edit those shots. I love this snap of

the other bunny though. The one from yesterday was a female I guess....since her name was Mrs. Fuzzworth (stands to reason, huh?) So the one here must be a male. This brown one seemed a lot more shy than the Mrs. And sorry for the slightly fuzzy look. They were thoroughly enjoying their lettuce and their little jaws and noses were bobbing up and down.....and I wasn't using a tripod, which is actually the real reason why it's not as sharp as it should be. But I'm sure you can look beyond the fuzzy and see this bunny's "essence of cuteness."

COMPASS ROSE RE-VISITED & MORE

A very neat day! The sun was shinning! Yaaa! Always a good sign, huh? These photos are actually starting at the end of the day when I went with my friend to visit the bunnies at the Compass Rose. They really loved their lettuce leaves....plain lettuce, no dressing or croutons, please. You'll see more from the Compass Rose in the next few days.

I went with Emily to the Rotary meeting in Bandon....me as a guest. Delicious lunch, but what was really wonderful was listening to Angela Haseltine Pozzi from Art 101. Her dedication and passion in tackling the problem of ocean trash, especially plastic, will make anyone who hears her never doubt the damage that is being done to our waters, and I'm sure many dry areas as well. Don't see how it couldn't. She is working with many others, including a friend of her deceased husband in making a feature length film that will be released in theaters when completed in a year or so. They are editing as they go along and filming a few days a month, so there doesn't seem to be any doubt that this film won't get made. As an artist, her vision is to take the ugly and harmful plastic and turn it into something not only beautiful, but meaningful as it will travel on a tour to help awaken others to the very urgent message of all this garbage. The name of the project is "Washed Ashore, Plastics, Sealife and Art". There are not only many citizens of all ages helping at Angela's studio on Hwy 101, but she has the schools inspired to contribute what they can, which is no small contribution. I do need to research this a little on the internet before I start giving out misinformation. You might want to look into this project yourself, and hopefully become involved in either helping out at the studio, or just doing your own educated study and changing some of the ways you shop, or stock your own household, or just carry the word. Oh....and the ARTULA Institute is the organization behind Washed Ashore......I think......check it out yourself online. And it's not just a Bandon problem, or a Port Orford problem, nor Oregon.....it's world wide and growing so rapidly and expanding so large that I really do need to get the numbers right before I write any more.....but the state of Texas comes to mind....and garbage 7 miles deep!!!

Since it is a world wide problem, I think it sort of fitting that this last photo is symbolic of where the 4 winds blow.......

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend! Stay safe!

THE BLAST OF REFRESHMENT

On the way home today we stopped by Cape Blanco so I could get a couple of the traditional lighthouse shots. Thankfully, I had just found a fairly inexpensive monopod and had that to stake myself to the ground. The wind was really whipping around and I was so busy trying to steady Donna, the camera and the monopod, that I had no time to catch my favorite baseball hat that I'd bought in Scotland. It's undoubtedly blown over to the Highlands by now! But, Hey!! The good news is that the sun graced us again with her presence. Life is Good!!!

THE BEAUTIFUL WILD IRIS

What a treat to look upon one of our first of the spring wild blooms. I found this, again, over on Paradise Point Rd., but I'm starting to see them all over now. They grow in my yard also and I let them be until they start to get too invasive, but they make such good cut flowers and fill-ins in a bouquet.

I'm not positive what I saw today because it's been so long since it's made a dependable appearance, but it was something in the sky that was large and sort of gold in color. I think it's listed in Webster's Dictonary as "sun", but I couldn't swear by it. Possibly, if it happens again, I can study it and make a clear identification. Unless any of you know.......

SIGNS OF SPRING?????

Rather than nice, warm sunny weather it was a soggy like a sponge rainy day, instead. If I hear from the state authorities that we aren't yet up to our needed rainfall, I think I'm just going to have to become a non-believer.
This top photo is again from the marsh at Paradise Point Rd. I love the warm tones of the orange leaves with that 'wha'sha-call-it".

This second photo is one of my first Calla Lilly of the year. They're always so graceful and elegant. I like the lines of this one.

I had a look at what will be the new Siren's Coffee & Chocolate Cafe shortly.....like sometime in May. It's going to be wonderful!! Lots of charm, lots of light, lots of comfort and friendly atmosphere, plus what sounds like a fantastic array of various foods. I can hardly wait! I'm very excited about watching this new venture of Dianne's unfold. Be sure to drop in once it's up and running! Have a cup a, or one of Joyce Kinney's fabulous dishes for lunch, delicious candy or some tempting pastry. Oh.....and something I have a lot of trouble saying NO to.....ice cream!! Ahhhhh.......8-D)))

REEDS AND WATER OFF COMPASS ROSE B&B

Isn't this a fantastic view! I've driven over this area many, many times and never really stopped to SEE. I actually did very little editing.....everything just seemed to work that day. I think all the orange floating on the water are leaves. I don't know what the standing orange circular thing is either. It adds some interest though, huh?

So....I'm still a little tired today, but the worst of my flu seems to have finished with me. Soon, I'll be back to my usual chatter........

DOWN AND OUT

I'm going to have to leave you all with only a photo for a day or two. I've come down with a whopper of a flu.

Hope to be back in good form very soon....Oh.....this is the Paradise Point road low dip in the road and looking south.