FAUCETS

I look at other photographer's photos and blogs.....a lot! Every once in a while
I come across a photo of something very ordinary that I've never bothered thinking about.......and I admire their photos. So.....Faucets!! Something that I use when I must and otherwise find pretty boring. So I gave myself this assignment....photograph faucets. To be
perfectly honest, I still find them pretty boring. But the photo's....especially the first
and last, I like the way I can see the intensity of colors. The colors are probably
subjective since I never bothered to really LOOK and the colors have been there all
the time.....But I like the rust....and whatever
it is that's turning the handle itself white and maroon and the turquoise
and blues of the 'thing' that holds it on the wall. So, next time I need to use an
outside hose, I'll try to notice the mundane as something that also holds some
beauty if I give myself the time to look at it and SEE.

BATTLE ROCK

For those who live in Port Orford, you'll recognize the top of Battle Rock. It was
a day where the fog was floating in and drifting out and then repeating itself.
Up at the parking lot, it was sunny and warm. Hard to believe this was taken
the same day (and time) was the previous posting of the flower girl.

DPSSTRANGER

I subscribe to a daily email called, Digital Photography School. This weekend
they've given the assignment of photographing a stranger. I was down at the
beach when two girls walked by. I was first fasinated by one girls's tatoos....which are
on her left arm so out of sight. Then, her head was shaved in the back except for
a long strip that ended with a little curly twist at the end. When she turned side-ways,
then I noticed the alluring flower behind her ear......an African Daisy. Years ago, I
supplied the local garden club with as many African Daisy cuttings as they'd like.
I would love to believe that the plant she picked this daisy from, was from one of
those plants. I think she is so pretty...... and the flower just empathizes that.

FEATHERS

Somehow 'feathers' doesn't really do justice here in this photo. I see more
like a rich, vibrant carpet or rug.......Aladdin's maybe?? When you take some
time to look at the colors and the design it really does look magical, doesn't it?

HEADLANDS TRAIL

Last month when I went on a walk up at the Headlands,
I came across this 'framed' picture of the sea.......I think
Nellie's Cove. Our weather becomes more and more
beautiful as summer moves into fall. You'll probably
be seeing more sunsets on this blog fairly soon. Our
autumn sunsets are just the best!!

LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!

I was looking over the photos from my trip to the Animal Park and wondered
how I could not have remembered to include these 3 "wee" beasties! The Lion
was a little beat-up looking and I imagine advanced in years. But from the looks
of that tongue and the general size of him, I'd respect and give him a very wide
berth if that fence wasn't securely in place.
The Tiger is a Siberian white and she is just beautiful. Soon after I shot this photo
she got up stretched and wandered around, growling and acting very fierce. She
looked like pure muscle to me......beautiful animal.
The Bear isn't my favorite of photos but the best I could do that day. He's actually
standing up on his hind legs, along with his buddy a smaller black bear, and
begging for any 'goodies' people might throw their way. What doesn't make it into
their enclosure, the birds get.
Anyone who has the chance should make it a point to visit the Animal Park. Back
when I lived in San Francisco, I'd find myself at the SF zoo about once a month if I
could. My Grandmother was the only one I know of who, like me, loved everything about the
zoo, including the smells! I'd bring my younger sister and her friends...good reason, huh?
At 2 o'clock
sharp they'd feed the 'big cats' in the lion house......a big cement cave that echoed with
the roars of all the lions and tigers.....and I remember there being a lot of them!
It was very scary sounding, even with all the individual cages.

DOWN AT THE DOCK

It's raining today but between showers Norm and I thought we'd go see what
was going on down at the dock. I had meant to take a photo of the boat hoist.....
trying to be fair to those that enjoy seeing tools and such....but I easily got side-tracked
by (my favorite!) gulls! In the first photo, I'm as taken with the color distortions on
the water as I am with the seagull. And I just don't want to hear that those beautiful
swirls on the water might well be oil. The second photo was taken just because he was
there and looking so clean and tidy in spite of where he standing.
Now the third and fourth.....on the rock......way up at the top you can see a little
smiggen of dark and to the left of that, a little white. Blown up in photo #4 you can see
that it's an oyster catcher with his bright orange bill cleaning himself and to the right
is another white seagull. I do love my telephoto lens.

AUGUST MOON

"When the moon comes over the mountain" la-la-la........

BOOZER, THE CHIMNEY SWEEP DOG

We had a chimney sweeper come today to clean our fireplace before the winter cold arrives. He brought his dog, Boozer, with him. Boozer arrived at his name because he was found outside a liquor store when he was such a little guy that his body was then the size of what his head is now! Boozer is a dog of many talents, it seems. He taught himself how to climb the ladder to be with his owner and buddy, Rodney. My favorite photo is the 3rd one where Boozer is sitting up on the roof looking very pleased with himself....so high and mighty! But, Boozer has not yet figured how to climb back down the ladder by himself.....and trustingly allows Rodney to carry him down over his shoulder. Let's hope that Boozer doesn't put on much more weight!

THE BURROS

Whoa!! Someone had waaayyy too much to eat!

I spotted these two burros one day on the way up to Coos Bay. We take Seven Devil's
Road and there's a little fence that can be seen from the road. Ever since I saw them, months ago
I've always looked again, hoping they'd be out and I could take some photos of
them. Well, this morning I saw them right up close to the fence! But, as luck would
have it, we had an appointment to keep and didn't want to take the time that my husband
knows I would take, to photograph them.......after all, I do have to have a little chat and
pat with them! I had very little hope they'd be visible again on our way home, but, they were and
even though they weren't up close to the fence, I'd still be able to use my telephoto
and get some decent shots in. But as soon as I walked up they started coming in my
direction. Friendliest little guys!! Curious about the 'thing' around my neck that was
making such odd clicking noises, so I let them sniff the side of it (Norm yelling in the
background "Don't let them get the lens with their noses!!") But, aren't they so cute??
I just wanted to take them home with me. Sigh-sigh. Oh well............

STONES

For some odd reason I've always been attracted to various stones...or rocks.
Any trip abroad I've made always includes bringing some kind of "earth-ware"
home with me in my suitcase. One year it was some pumice from
Vesuvius found in Pompeii..... another favorite was a plain ole' ordinary gray & white rock that a
native Chinese man (meaning-he wasn't wearing too much!)
gave me as he paddled out boat up the Shanang River....I'm just always picking
up different rocks or feathers.......But the colors that were part of a lovely stepping stone
through a friend's garden really caught my eye yesterday. I still can't tell
whether that's the sky and trees reflecting in the green stone or it's just the
stone's unique markings. Whatever it is, I really like this photo.

BLACKBERRY BUTTERFLY

I was picking some blackberries yesterday and noticed a couple of these
little guys flitting around. I did happen to have my camera within reaching
distance and took advantage of one of the butterfly's time-outs. Pretty
little things, don't you think?

SEAL-COUNT

OK boys and girls.......time for a little game of 'how-many-seals-do-you-find?'
I counted 24. They aren't all that easy to spot....at least not with my eye-sight.
Many of them seem to just blend right into the rocks. So.....Start counting!!

HEADLANDS WILD FLOWER

Another couple of indications of the soon-to-arrive autumn.....a dried wild
parsnip on the top photo is surrounded by late summer grasses. And of course,
the purple thistle. That hits the 'ouch-factor' for anyone who's ever tried to
pick one with their bare hands. Better to admire from a distance, hmmm?

COAST GUARD STATION

These two photos were taken up at the Headlands park of one of the
old buildings up there. I think it's the shop but whatever the building
it is has a wonderful sense of grace and history. Notice the reflection in
the window on the second photo. Anyone who doesn't live on the south
coast of Oregon, would really make it worth their while to stop and take
a walk on the beautifully maintained trail up at the Heads.....see the
Coast Guard museum.....the beautifully restored boat and just breathe
in the wonderful fresh
air.