The Road Less Traveled

OK – it’s been painfully long since I last posted.  But what a treat to return to.  I had the pleasure of exploring the NE corner of Oregon – the Wallowas – back in August and it was just beautiful.

A quiet morning outside of Joseph, Oregon

Another treat to see on an early morning walk.

The Wallowas are a beautiful mountain range overlooking high, dry farmland.  The mountains encompass a Forest Service wilderness area, with all the adventure that comes with such rugged and remote places.   There’s great food, music and less rugged activities than backcountry trekking, for those not interested in that.

For me, I enjoyed barn-spotting as a new sport.

This barn reminds me of Wimpy from Popeye.

I loved the shape of this barn.

Just another barn that invites one to drive the back roads.

Whatever your pleasure, this remote corner of Oregon is a treat to visit.  Put it on your list!

One of the things that is such a draw for me are the neolithic sites sprinkled around Orkney.   No other human-built structures I’ve visited has had me wondering about those who built them as much as the stone ruins of Scotland.  They’re simply magical.

Stones of the Ring of Brodgar at sunset

There are neolithic sites here spread around but without a doubt, the Ring of Brodgar is my favorite.  Each stone is unique and interesting to look at on its own. Their textures, shapes,  and silhouettes are all intriguing.   More after the break… (more…)

So how did YOU spend Valentine’s Day?

I spent it happily birding with a friend, and snapping a few photos of the stillness on Tillamook Bay.   In the morning, the clouds were very dramatic.  It made for some really striking photos.

The day was perfect.  Overcast, occasionally spitting rain, but for the most part, still and dry.   On the water, we saw Loons, Goldeneyes, and several other fun waterfowl (though I didn’t have my telephoto lens, so not photos to share of the birds…  I know, I’ll learn.)  A pair of Golden Eagles perched in the trees across the water in the above photo, before moving on in search of food.

It seemed that around every corner there was another striking view.

The water in the afternoon was really high, reaching all the way to the edge of the road, where in the past I’d seen wide mudflats (good for a different sort of bird.   This brought the birds in close.  At one point my friend and I were stumped by a duck we couldn’t identify – red bill, brownish back, a bit larger than other waterfowl, and remarkably still.  It was bouncing up and down with the water, but not diving, or preening or much of anything…  Finally we figured out it was a decoy.  (Can you tell I’m blushing?)

One other feature of the Bay that I found fascinating, was the relics of some dock pilings.  They were full of interesting forms and shadows.  The knots in the wood left interesting spikes sticking out, reminiscent of birds beaks.   I liked this shot, as the blue sky was such a cheerier look than the ominous gray of the same morning.

All in all, it was a really nice day, birding, shooting and hanging out with a friend.

I hope your Valentine’s Day was a good one too.