Year in Review 2016

 Some of my favorite photos from the blog in 2016.

Leaf and Sky Reflection

Winter in the Columbia Gorge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Falls Creek Reflection, Gifford Pinchot National Forest

 

Walla Walla Countryside

Sunrise at Sunset Beach, Astoria, Oregon

Animated Shack, Trout Lake, Washington

Panther Creek Falls, Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Lewis River, Battle Ground, Washington

High Tide, Bandon, Oregon

Mt. Hood Sunrise

Blackberry

My favorite invasive species.

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays to all my blog friends. 

Marina

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Winter Light

I stumbled upon Fallen Leaf Lake Park in Camas yesterday. I knew it was near Lacamas, vaguely, but just lucked into spotting the almost hidden entrance as I was heading home from a day in the gorge. I'll explore it more later, but did a quick walk while the sun was still up, and happened upon a really great patch of light. So glad we got sunshine for the first day of winter; I just love the low light angle this time of year.

Winter

 Blueberry field at noon.

Whose Woods These Are

I think I know...The campus trails made for an enchanting walk for me and Clover during our second snow of the year yesterday. We had the woods almost completely to ourselves, only meeting a runner and his dog and a couple out enjoying the winter wonderland. As we passed the couple who were on their way home, the man told me there was a Robert Frost poem in the woods. Maybe a professor on campus, I thought. Of course he was right; it's why we were all out, stopping by woods on a snowy evening.

The Beaten Path

My preferred walking route with Clover, and our dusting of snow this past week, which brightened up the scene a bit. This field/young woods is fun to explore, and Clover gets some off-leash time, but in the winter the field gets really soggy because this soil tends toward clay. My snow boots worked great, but in warmer weather I need some waterproof shoes that can handle both water and hills. 

Anime

I always love seeing animated buildings; I appreciate the imagined personality. 

Hello, happy little shack or barn! Whatever you are, you look content with it. 

Self-actualized shack. 

I Use Antlers in All of My Decorating

...My what a guy, that Gaston. 

(Favorite song line from Disney's Beauty and the Beast)

Just happened upon this fabulous ranch entrance south of Trout Lake yesterday.  I'm really kicking myself for not taking a moment to change out my lens and get a wider view of the really charming ranch.  I felt uncomfortable hovering in the entrance, but when I was backing around to leave, the owner showed up, returning from his trip to town with a wagon load of hay.  He was super friendly, asking if we needed help, and he looked just like the (imagined, stereotypical) rancher who would live here.  Even though it's a close up, I guess you can get the idea a little bit.  

Mystery Falls

I remember reading, on one of my earliest visits, that there are 77 waterfalls throughout the Columbia Gorge, on both the Oregon and Washington sides, but more in Oregon.  And I remember thinking how can there possibly be that many waterfalls!  Now that we've lived here for a few years, my thinking is just the opposite.  77 seems like a ridiculously low number!  Gorge waterfalls must number in the hundreds.  Unless 77 is just waterfalls falling right at the edge of the Columbia.  Either way, this waterfall would be one of the 77.  It's one of two waterfalls I walked past on my short walk along the Historic Hwy 30 Trail near Starvation Creek.  I especially liked the tree clinging to the edge of the cliff wall. 

A Mossy Wood

I see this stretch of moss and evergreens every time I'm driving east on I-84 to Hood River, and always want to stop for a photo.  Not long ago I noticed that the historic US Highway 30 Trail extends along the edge of this forest, so this week I made time to pull off and walk the stretch of trail just west of Starvation Creek.  These trees extend back maybe 100 ft. until they reach a cliff wall, thus the dark background, and perfect mossy growing conditions.  I have to say, it's a nice little trail, especially for people looking to avoid the steeper elevations.  Only downside is that you walk awfully close to I-84 so lots of highway noise.

Farewell November

Growing up in Indiana. I always looked forward to the frostiness of November.

Here in western Washington it's a soggier month.  Especially this year!

Looks like our fall colors will linger into December;

a little surprising given all our October and November rain.

Down River

A rare view from the center of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge crossing the Columbia. It's not so easy to get a photo from the bridge; it's a super narrow grated metal bridge with no pedestrian path. There is the possibility of a bridge lift, but I've never been lucky enough to get caught on the bridge when a large boat comes through.  Today was my lucky day though.  No lift, but intermittent bridge work was going on and I got stopped for a few minutes so I took the opportunity and got out to get a few photos.  (Very odd feeling to be walking on the open grated bridge floor and looking through to the water below!) 

Oh, the Weather Outside

(Pacific Northwest version), not exactly "Let it Snow", unless you're above 4,000ft. today. 

Winter in the Gorge

Clouds and mist hang in the hills,

on a gray and drizzly day.

(Full color image)

St. Helens

The final photo in my sunrise and fog series, this one looking even further to the north and Mount St. Helens, the closest of the volcanic peaks. All in all there were four volcanoes visible this morning, the fourth was the tip of Mt. Jefferson far to the south.

Above the Clouds

Another view from our sunrise and morning fog combo last week. This time a scene slightly to the north and including the top of Mt. Adams.  

Sunrise

Morning sun illuminates Mt. Hood,

while low-lying Brush Prairie lies covered

in a blanket of fog.

Linking to Skywatch.

Moulton Falls

The classic view of Moulton Falls, taken the same day as my 'Lewis River' photo from October 22nd. This walking bridge leads to the trails connecting Moulton Falls and Lucia Falls. The bridge has No Jumping signs posted, but when we visited here last summer, there was plenty of jumping going on. I'm monitoring weather to try this photo again when the light is better. I was disappointed with how washed out the colors looked in this direction. So if I'm lucky, I'll post another shot of the bridge in the next week or so. Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Sunshine

Sunshine filters into the forest, 

drying out after our week of rain,

lighting a lone leaf.
Big Leaf Maple.

Lewis River

Finally a break in the rain!  And an early morning drive out to Moulton Falls on the Lewis River just south of Yacolt (with emphasis on the 'yac', rhymes with jackal). I was hoping for a little mist on the water, but I'm not going to complain.  The sun felt great, and a little sunshine does wonders for a reflection shot. Clover and I got a nice walk in.  Now for some hay-making while the sunshine lasts.

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Pond Reflection

A peaceful moment along the edge of Klineline Pond the other day.It's too windy today for a reflection photo.Reflection or no, it's always relaxing to walk along the edge of the pond.

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Coming Storm

The rain began today and is forecast to continue through the weekend with the arrival of Typhoon Songda.  A typhoon?  Yikes! For today I'm photographing from the warm and dry safety of my car.  A reprieve of the 'through my rainy windshield' series.  More to follow, I'm sure...

Hawthorn Berries

So many hawthorn trees surrounding the field near my house.  All loaded with berries.  I've been picking them, now that they're ripe, and trying to make hawthorn berry jelly.  My first attempt was a flop: great tasting, but I think I got the temp too high because my jelly came out more like taffy.  So I'm trying again later this week with a different recipe this time.  Plenty of berries left for the birds. 

The Evergreen State

 Fall in the Evergreen State. 

Let the gray days begin. 

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Leaf and Sky

Lonely little birch leaf floating in Klineline Pond today, 

puffy clouds reflected in the water.

Perfect fall afternoon.

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

As the Day Wears On

Linus slowly loses his patch of sun.

Mrs. Lady (Bug)

Close up view of my garden.  One of the great successes this season, my tomatillos, still going strong. (Tiny tomatillo forming in the upper right of the photo.) I was clearing out some of summer plants that are finished, making way for some quick fall planting while the weather is still warm, when I spotted this cute little bug.  Next year I will plant fennel because I learned that it really attracts ladybugs, which love to chomp on aphids. Plus, it's tasty, so a win-win. 

Some Cloud

Fall weather is on its way in the Pacific Northwest.  Clouds rolling through quickly these days. This lone cumulus cloud was so nicely framed yesterday afternoon  during my walk with Clover.  I was heading steeply downhill in our subdivision, and only had my 50mm lens, so I ended up cropping out some houses.  Roof visible in the lower left, and I believe that's a middle school in the distant foreground.  Happy fall everyone!

Overcast

Uninspiring light on my walk this morning.  The sun was almost breaking through the clouds, but changed its mind. But I have to admit, I do like this shade of misty evergreen that hovers in the balance between green and gray.  The photo reminds me a bit of a paint chip card. I think I have this on my mind because my parents have a really great gray-green paint in their mud room, but I think it's a little warmer green than this. Looks like I need my own paint chip card!

At the Boat Ramp

It's true.  I love photographing sailboats in a ripply harbor. And since I was out in Hood River today...and it's Weekend Reflections day...and the water was reflection-still near the boat ramp...and a boat came in (because it's salmon season so the Columbia is full of boats right now)...well, what can I say.

:) So guilty!

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Signs of Fall

It's been a while since I've woken up to fog. Guess fall is fast approaching! I liked how this fence line trails off into the fog, which has quickly burned off as we head toward a sunny 80 degree day. I wish the tree was more to the left of the photo. I think it would have balanced better. But nothing I can do about that. It does have me wondering though.  I'm curious now how old this oak tree, and the others along the edge of campus, may be. Something to research in my free time.

Linking to Good Fences.

September Already?

Where did the summer go? Hardly back into the swing of things, after my month off. I did do a lot of exploring in the trails behind WSU though, and found this great little creek which Clover really likes during her walks. Pledging to myself to get out more with my camera this month, but probably not before I complete a home improvement project I got myself into. Regrouting bathroom tiles :/

Linking to Weekend Reflections, (of course).

Vacation

Taking a blog vacation for the month of August.

Enjoy your summer everyone!

See you in September...

As the Tide Comes In

Bandon, Oregon on the southern Oregon coast is known for its otherworldly rock formations and also its wonderful sand. I blogged yesterday about an early morning photo just before low tide. Today's photo is from later in the morning when the clouds were clearing out. The tide started coming in by mid morning, creating the great reflection I love so much on the wet Pacific Northwest sand. I was just starting to hone in on the photo I was looking for when I lost this good light. It's hard to get a good reflection when the sun is too high in the sky. Still, a fabulous morning on the coast! This water felt so refreshing. Wish I were still there!

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Low Tide

Early morning in Bandon, Oregon.  

This was the view to the south, clouds finally starting to part, low tide, 

a peaceful morning, and a lovely day to walk along the shoreline 

for some beach-combing and photo-taking. 

Circles in the Sand

Here's the overhead view of the sand labyrinth in Bandon, Oregon that I blogged about yesterday.  When I got to the beach in Bandon early Friday morning I had to make the classic beach choice, walk to the right or the left.  I picked left because it was still very overcast early in the morning, and the light was better to the left (photographer criterion) even though the rocks did look more interesting to the right.  I think the labyrinth was probably under construction when I started my walk, because it would have been just before low tide.  And the labyrinth was, of course, to the right.  So it goes.  I would have loved to see the construction.  Still, it was really such a fun surprise to happen upon later in the morning when I made my way to this side of the beach.  One update I want to make from yesterday's post though.  I said that they create a labyrinth everyday, but that's not correct.  Sand conditions have to be right, and there might be other factors that determine dates as well, perhaps low tide timing.  So today, I'm including a link to the same website, but this time to the schedule page.  The next labyrinth constructions are scheduled for August 5th and 6th. 

 Labyrinth schedule

Beach Circles

In Bandon, Oregon, which is a truly magical stretch of coastline in southern Oregon, there's this guy who comes out to the beach everyday at low tide and draws a huge walkable labyrinth, different everyday. On the day of my visit, I was walking along the beach, enjoying the rocks and the waves, when I came upon a crowd of people all gathered in one place.  What a surprise to find this amazing labyrinth!  It takes 45 minutes for the artist to carve out the labyrinth path, and then he has volunteer beach "groomers" who use rakes to fill in the patterns.  Everyday the tide washes away his labyrinth, and the next day he creates another. I'll post an overhead view tomorrow.  If you're curious to see more though, here's a link to his website, Circles in the Sand. It includes some videos of the labyrinth constructions. 

Setting Sail

Clear skies and fair winds in the south Puget Sound today. 

A nice day to head out in your sailboat...if you have one. 

Or to photograph the boat reflections 

as they sail past the still waters in the marina.

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Fence Line

Another view of the Walla Walla Valley, after a rare summer rain. The clouds were just beginning to clear in this scene so it has one of my favorite lighting combinations of a weak sunlight on greenery and storm clouds. And yes, if you look closely you can see the fence line dividing the green and brown fields.

Linking to Good Fences.