Janet Brien's photos

I stand, hand in hand, with the ipernity community, to show our support for the besieged country of Ukraine and its people. I am utterly horrified, shocked and deeply disturbed that something like this can actually happen in this day and age. My heart goes out to this country and its people. Explored on 3/4//22; highest placement #1.

(+5 insets) Rain, Rain, Go Away! *cry* How would you feel if you got to stay for an entire two weeks at an incredibly gorgeous state park when there was also a two-week-long rain storm? Unfortunately, that's what happened for us at Silver Falls. The afternoon we arrived it was sunny but the clouds were rolling in. We had a lovely walk around the park's incredible nature trail with no idea that we'd only walk this trail together a few times the entire two weeks. That night it started to rain. Pounding deluges of water dumped onto the area for the next TWO WEEKS! At the very least it was sprinkling but most of the time it was raining hard enough that going outside wasn't an option without an umbrella, rain gear and perhaps a boat and paddle. We were stuck inside for most of our stay and it was such a total bummer because we'd planned to go hiking and biking every day! I did manage to sneak out in the morning when the rains sometimes dwindled to a sprinkle and marched quickly around the 1.1-mile trail, usually making it back before it started to pour again. We kept an eagle-eye on the weather reports and looked to see if there was a pause in the rain, but it seemed the storm had booked the same reservation we did. However, there were exactly TWO days when the sun came out and we were READY! One day we went on the Trail of Ten Falls, and the other day we hopped on our bikes and rode on an unbelievably stunning ride which took us on a challenging but wonderful ride…we commented that we needed sunglasses to cut down on all of the brilliant, glowing greenery everywhere! So, in the end we were really sad that our plans for exploring this wonderful park were thwarted by the heavy downpours, but we counted our lucky stars for the opportunities that we did get to enjoy this lovely park. Today's Picture There was a wonderful little footbridge that crossed over the south fork of Silver Creek and it was so nice to just stand and enjoy the view. The light dancing on the water, the logs criss-crossing, the glowing greenery…oh what a pretty spot! Today's Insets Inset #1: What a perfect picture for HFF!! This view stopped me in my tracks every time I got to this part of the park's looping nature trail. You can certainly see why this trail was so popular! (Although this trail is listed as one of Oregon's most beautiful, I rarely ran into anyone because of the rain, thank goodness.) Inset #2: Walking through the campground, this marvelous tree took my breath away with its vibrating greens and lovely shape. Inset #3: And yet ANOTHER perfect picture for HFF! This was taken on the day we rode our bikes on the lovely group of trails which included this spot, which is also Silver Creek but about a mile away from the main picture's location. The bridge linked two huge meadows adorned with picnic tables for happy visitors. Inset #4: Every time I walked to the campground bathroom, I saw this wonderful tree and waited for the chance when I could take a picture to share. To me it looks like a happy old couple, arm in arm, who get to look at the playground they face that's often filled with squealing, happy children! Inset #5: I noticed this funny face in the puddles on the path to the bathroom and kept an eye out for a break in the rain to get this picture to share! I loved the goofy expression! Please Take Care Hope all is well with you…I am horrified at what's going on with Ukraine invasion. How does anything like this happen in this day and age? It's so awful that I cannot stand to see more than headlines. In any event, I hope you are all safe with family away from this terrible situation. My heart goes out to Kyiv and the Ukraine. Explored on 3/1/22; highest placement #15.

(+5 insets) Unbelievable Silver Falls State Park Leaving Beverly Beach was only ok because we'd gotten a full two weeks there--it was such a gorgeous place! However, both of us were totally excited because we were now off to stay at one of Oregon's most popular state parks, yes! Somehow, Steve managed to book two full weeks and we were over the moon because we'd tried for the past two years without luck. The Prettiest Park Yet There are no words to describe how incredibly beautiful this park is. Beverly Beach was amazing but this park's lush greenery and glowing forest was on a totally different level. The trail which looped around the park was staggering in its beauty. Steve and I stumbled along the trail on the first day just stunned! Ferns everywhere, vibrant plants, looming trees above, moss simply everywhere. Trickling streams, marshy areas…it was just incredible. What a sight. Sorry, No Dump Station Staying there had a unique problem though. We'd be forced to use the bathrooms because not only would there be no luxurious full-hookup available, this park's dump station was out of order! We didn’t know this when we arrived, though. Steve went to investigate where the dump station was and found it down a long, bumpy road and at the end was a sign at the station saying it had been out of order for the past year! We were less than impressed to learn this after we'd arrived but in the end it worked out fine. A two-minute walk through the forest on lovely paths was a delight that we both had no problem with! Today's Picture This park is named for not just one waterfall, but the Trail of Ten Falls, which leads hikers past an unbelievable array of gorgeous falls of all types. Most notable were the ones that had trails leading behind them. This image shows the first--and most popular--which is called South Falls. (Here's a link to show the trail and names of waterfalls along the way) And this is a really nice description of the hike with pictures of all the waterfalls . Today's Insets Inset #1: The light streaming through the trees was marvelous and had me stopping constantly to take pictures! Inset #2: The glowing greenery was staggering and this picture shows a glimpse of what some of the plant life was like close up. So beautiful! Inset #3: There's a marshy area that has a wooden platform and hide, complete with little square windows for folks to peek through in hopes to see birds going about their business. I was surprised when I saw someone had carved J and S in a heart on one board…I don't like the vandalism but couldn't resist the picture and I spiced it up into a creative artwork! Inset #4: The park has many creeks and streams around it, often with fallen trees crossing over. Inset #5: This is a view from the path that shows the glowing greenery that assaults the senses everywhere in the park. Have a Wonderful Weekend! Thanks for stopping by and leaving comments or gold stars! Your visits mean the world to me. I apologize for not coming around! Missing you all so much. Explored on 2/25/22; highest placement #1.

(+6 insets) Wonderful Memories of Beverly Beach Today's presentation is my last from this gorgeous park. I hope we'll get to come back to enjoy it again but we certainly soaked up its beauty over the two-week stay we had here. I was simply blown away by the greenery everywhere and loved every opportunity to take walks on the trails that looped this campground. Though the weather was often too windy or stormy to go out on the beach, I was still able to take advantage on the few opportunities when it was nice. Today's Picture One day Steve came back from a walk with Pumpkin on the trail around the park and told me he'd discovered a fantastic group of mushrooms on a stump. The next day we went out together and he showed me the stump…it was right off the trail and yet I'd missed it! I took some pictures with my phone and the next day I came back for more. This one showed one lovely group that posed beautifully for me! Today's Insets Inset #1: I found one cluster of lovely Pacific Bleeding Hearts along the trail and was very happy to get some nice pictures. What I didn't realize is that some of the flowers which I've called Bleeding Hearts are actually a related plant called Squirrel Corn. (They are named for the interesting corn-like corms that grow in their roots.) Now that I know, whenever I find white or near-white flowers, they are Squirrel Corn, not these, which are truly Bleeding Hearts ( The difference between Bleeding Hearts and Squirrel Corn ). Inset #2: This Bristle Flower, or Piggy Back Plant, grew right next to the trail and was easy to overlook because of the brownish-looking flowers. It was only when you crouched down and stared at these tiny blossoms that you saw how beautiful their dramatic maroon and green-striped petals were! Inset #3: Partially framed with huge Skunk Cabbage leaves, this image shows the clear water of Spencer Creek and the glowing green plants along its banks. Inset #4: A vertical panorama of Spencer Creek with the lovely dappling on the streambed and green trees above. Inset #5: A look up the trail to the footbridge across Spencer Creek, you can barely pick it out in this emerald forest! Inset #6: A final look at the expansive coastline of Beverly Beach. So breathtaking, isn't it? Thank You For Stopping By! I am so happy that you've come to see my pictures! Things are getting crazy now with our trip set to start so soon! So much to do! I hope all is well for all of you, and please know how much it means to me that I have this wonderful community to hold me close. You're all so great. :)

(+6 insets) Coastal Travel Steve and I have been lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time now along the Oregon coast. Both of us are familiar with the unpredictable nature but it's interesting to experience it first-hand. Everything from crazy storms to still beaches and everything in-between. We'd had so much wind, rain and stormy conditions during our stay at Beverly Beach that when a sunny day greeted us one morning, we immediately made plans to visit the nearby lighthouse at Yaquina Head. Today's Picture A couple of days ago I shared a panorama showing the walk out to the lighthouse. This sight had us taking pictures from many angles to appreciate it completely! What a lovely building and beautifully cared for. It was built in 1873 and the lands there also included housing, farmyards and gardens for the caretakers--they had to raise and grow their own food, since they really were a long way from civilization! Steve and I walked around the remaining foundations and tried to imagine their incredibly lovely but lonely existence there. If you're like to know more, this article goes into much more detail: The History of Yaquina Head Lighthouse Today's Insets Inset #1: The lovely Salal Trail led up a tall hill near the lighthouse and Steve and I were just wowed at the incredible views. Steve had to force me to keep moving because I couldn't resist taking a million pictures! Inset #2: We saw lots of Black-Striped Sparrows who foraged on the blueberry-like Salal berries covering the bushes which lined much of the trail. I was delighted to get this picture--they were careful to fly away when we got too close, and I kept getting bushes with no birds! :D Inset #3: Down on the cobble beach near the seals, I found countless pretty vignettes to photograph. There were so many lovely groupings of stones in this setting, and this one I especially liked. Inset #4: This is another grouping of cobbles that I appreciated which also included driftwood, of which there was plenty scattered on the beach. Inset #5: Seals are so itchy! I found that they spent a lot of time scratching their sides and faces. This is a well-fed baby rubbing its face with its flipper. (Have you ever seen the skeleton of a seal? Their flippers reveal 5-fingered hands! (here is a mounted skeleton) Remarkable!) Inset #6: This darling baby, with mama nearby, looks back in my direction as if it knows I'm taking a picture! I'm so far away that I'm undetectable with its poor on-land vision, but I like to think that it's posing just for me! :D This is also the last picture of the seals from this trip! Thank You For Visiting! It's hard to believe that February is nearly through…how did that happen? Steve and I are making our last preparations before we depart on our next trip and our house-sitter is stopping by to drop off supplies for his long stay too! We are feeling better about things with restrictions easing, I hope you are all doing well. Thanks so much for your visits, comments and stars! Explored on 2/21/22; highest placement #8.

(+6 insets) ( Please view large , this pano really is totally breathtaking!!) Quick post today! Very busy but it's HFF and well...LOOK! OMG! Today's Picture It's easy to see why this is one of Oregon's most popular lighthouses. The lighthouse itself is lovely, and where it sits is simply staggering. We had to brave the crowds of milling sheep but had an incredible time here! This walk from the carpark to the lighthouse took us quite a while because we kept stopping to enjoy the view and take pictures. At this point, I didn't even know there were seals! Today's Insets Inset #1: A view of the punchbowl with its wonderful textures and colors, showing the hole out to the sea with water swelling in and out. A few people climbed down to walk around in the "bowl," something we found tempting but we had a walk on Agate Beach ahead of us and didn't want to take the time for this extra adventure. Inset #2: Folks had some totally massive lenses out there, pointed down at a bunch of rocks below. Straining to see, I picked out what everyone was looking at...SEALS!! Wait. Not just seals but BABIES TOO!!! AHHHH!!!! This picture is one of the adults swimming in the sea nearby the pupping grounds. Inset #3: Here is a growing pup, laying in the sun, so round, full of milk and totally content that it appears to have a huge smile on its darling face! (Mama is just out of frame, snoozing.) Inset #4: The beach near the seals was blocked off a long distance from them, but look at the beautiful rocks! The small rocks were lovely and black, making a beautiful handful held by Steve. Inset #5: Here you can see the polished cobbles that covered this beach. We'd never seen them before and were amazed at their appearance. Then we walked on them and needed to be very careful because they are so slippery! But the SOUND! They are so LOUD!!! It was simply AMAZING how noisy they are! We couldn't hear each other talk when walking over them! Inset #6: Above the seagulls flew around, calling out and keeping an eye out for tidbits to eat. I love the serene quality of this image, which is something I remember when we sat on the rocks to eat our lunch, looking out at the tidal area and enjoying this magnificent day. Thanks for Your Visits! I hope your weekend is full of fun photography and adventure! It looks like restrictions are easing with Covid, let's hope things are finally on the mend! Explored on 2/20/22; highest placement #8.

(+6 insets) We're So Glad We Didn't Miss This Roadside Stop! How do you feel about those sight-seeing spots that are just off the road? We usually avoid easy stops like the plague because they tend to be a very bad experience. Invariably we are forced to rub elbows with milling crowds of Covid-deniers and families headed by Neanderthals with a passel of screaming monsters devoid of manners or sense. As well, people are often so selfish they don't consider that others may want to take pictures too and refuse to move from the prime spot for ages, if at all. Maddening! Since we've been travelling in our RV up and down the Oregon Coast, we've seen the sign for "Devil's Punchbowl" many times. The pictures online were enticing. So finally, since Beverly Beach was so close, we decided to stop there one day when we drove out to Agate Beach for a stroll. WOW!! The pictures do not do this place justice. Steve and I were just stunned at this amazing formation at the edge of the sea. We stood and watched, mesmerized, as the waves blasted in and out of the opening to the sea on one side of the "punchbowl." Looking out, an enormous slab of rock the size of a small island rose up and braced itself against the pounding surf. In another spot, a line of rocks just broke the surface and we watched waves lap at them and wash over their tops. Sea birds wheeled and called, landing on nesting grounds out on the huge island rock. Yes, there were stupid people a-plenty but this place was definitely worth the visit! Today's Picture This view shows the whole area--the Devil's Punchbowl and the magnificent view out to sea. What a sight! What a place! What good fortune to be here! Isn't it just amazing?! It's places like this that make a person happy to be alive to see such things! Today's Insets Inset #1: A view of the punchbowl with its wonderful textures and colors, showing the hole out to the sea with water swelling in and out. A few people climbed down to walk around in the "bowl," something we found tempting but we had a walk on Agate Beach ahead of us and didn't want to take the time for this extra adventure. Inset #2: A view up the coast shows a beach that also has a wide band of healthy tidal area that is not accessible to people. What a unique spot! We didn't go over to the beach but would have loved to visit--the views and adventures to be had must be very nice. Inset #3: A view of the rocks which were washed by the waves. It would be interesting to see how the exposure changed depending on the tide--we had no idea if it was high or low when we were there. Inset #4: The massive island of rock which served as a nesting place and refuge to a variety of sea birds--perhaps seals as well. Inset #5: Our walk that day on Agate Beach was a wonderful memory for us. It turned out to be a good thing we didn't spend more time at the Punchbowl because we were able to spend a long time walking on the expansive beach. This view shows the lovely, deep beach which is tucked away in a nearly protected cove. To the left of the high cliff that we walked to is Yaquina Lighthouse, which sits at the tip of a narrow, basalt peninsula. Inset #6: Another view of one of the creeks emptying out at the ocean at Agate Beach. The water was spread out widely enough that walking across didn't soak our shoes and I was able to take pictures like this one! Notice the fishing boat passing by! Thanks for Stopping By! I appreciate all of your visits and comments more than I can say. Big virtual hugs to you all! I'm hoping that your week is a nice one, bringing more promises of a lovely spring! Explored on 2/17/22; highest placement #7.

(+7 insets) Too Many Pictures, Not Enough Time I was looking through my folders brimming with pictures from our visit to Beverly Beach and nearby attractions and had to sigh deeply in resignation. There are just too many pictures that deserve attention and showcasing and not enough time to share them. In fact, I am quickly running out of days to show pictures from our whole trip last year. There will be a total of 15 stops out of the 20 that I won't be able to share--what a bummer! When I first realized this a couple of months ago I tried to come up with a solution to include all of the places we visited but in the end I realized that it just doesn't matter. At some point maybe I can share them but at any event, they are all loaded up in my computer slide shows and we do see them this way. The worst thing would be if I didn't have a chance to process any pictures at all. I also have trip notes from most places we went to, so that's good too. Anyway, my takeaway is that whatever pictures I have time to share will be a treat for me and hopefully you folks will enjoy them too! :) How incredibly lucky to have so many adventures that I don't have time to share pictures from all of them! Today's Picture I was walking along the Spencer Creek trail one morning when I noticed a rotting log covered with a carpet of glowing moss. Nestled within it I saw this lovely trio of mushrooms that posed elegantly for this picture! Today's Insets Inset #1: Bristle flowers are so small and their dark maroon color so close to brown that I mistook them for dried up blossoms. One day it occurred to me that I should look closer. I literally gasped in surprise as I crouched down for a better look. These gorgeous, orchid-like flowers are just stunning with their sparkling maroon and pink stripes and bright orange-yellow pistils. Inset #2: The jaw-dropping expanse of Beverly Beach at low tide with morning mist drifting up the hillside. All I could do was stand there and gawk. How lucky that the weather eased that day so I could experience that incredible sight. :) Inset #3: Gorgeous dappling of algae and water plants floating on the shallow water of Beverly Creek's prehistoric-like bog. The light was just perfect to show this wondrous sight, along with the moss-covered logs and glowing plant life that grew there. This place made me glad to be alive! :) Inset #4&5: A close-up of a horsehair fern with an even closer view to see more detail. Such fascinating plants. I wasn't surprised to learn that these living fossils are so resilient that getting rid of them is next to impossible once established. Inset #6: One day when the weather allowed me to walk out to the beach without freezing to death or being blown away by fierce gales, I saw a man tossing sticks for his happy dog. What fun it was to watch these two enjoying a beautiful morning together! Inset #7: The trail up and down Spencer Creek were interrupted by plenty of roots to step over. Pity the person who wasn't paying attention because they would certainly trip and go flying over these roots! I love to look at them though, and find them to be a favorite trail feature wherever I walk! Thank You For Stopping By! Reading your comments and seeing your stars makes me so happy, and I appreciate every one of you. I feel so fortunate to be in such a generous and warm community--let us hope that our ipernity finds the needed leadership they are looking so desperately for at this closing deadline! Hoping that everyone is doing well and finishing out your weekend on a happy, healthy note! Explored on 2/13/22; highest placement #3.

(+7 insets) No Agates on Agate Beach But We Didn't Care! The Oregon coast has many beaches which call attention to the lovely rocks which can wash up on the shore. Agates are a very popular draw and since our campground was nearby, we were enticed to visit a beach with the namesake one day. Rockhounds scour the shore first thing in the morning so we didn't expect to find anything, but we went for the stroll more than the rocks. It turned out to be a gorgeous, warm day with very little wind and the beach was very popular, as we expected it would be. Dozens of people were enjoying the miles-long beach with us and there was plenty of room for everyone. I didn't look too hard for rocks and it was a good thing because there wasn't anything interesting that I could see. I didn't care though--the real prize was the memorable walk we had that day. It was relaxing and beautiful with dogs bouncing around in the water, surfers enjoying the small waves, kids playing in the sand and couples walking by holding hands…those were just a few sights that greeted us on our walk. What a wonderful time we had. Afterwards we went up to an area overlooking the beach with picnic tables and had a late lunch to stave off our appetite. We were all smiles and so happy we visited that pretty beach--even if there wasn't a single agate to be found! :) Today's Picture The cement path that led to the beach trail lead over a creek and I seized the opportunity for a neat fence picture. We weren't sure why it was there but loved how it looked with the creek and ocean beyond. Today's Insets Inset #1: This is a view of the creek from the beach-side and you can see how it wanders along the top of the beach for a ways before heading down to the ocean. Isn't it just beautiful? Inset #2: There were lots of shore birds to see and I got some very nice pictures, including this wonderful Long-Billed Curlew, which was hunting for a meal in the surf. Inset #3 & #4: Two different images of the creek's water as it wandered out to the sea. I can't ever get enough of the lovely patterns and ripples in the sand and water. So pretty! Inset #5: At one point I looked up at the top of the beach and saw this line of people and their dog walking perfectly-spaced one behind the other and snagged a shot to share! Inset #6: The far side of the beach--a mile's walk--rewarded us with a boulder-strewn cliff complete with mussel-and-limpet-incrusted rocks to study with rapt fascination. Looking out to the ocean also showed another stream's passage to the water and created a very nice composition. Inset #7: Finally, an image which shows the tightly-packed mussels that covered the rocks there, aren't they amazing? Thanks for Stopping By! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Please stay safe! Explored on 2/12/22; highest placement #3.

(+7 insets) Being a Photographer Opens Your Eyes When we decide to record things we see in the world, at some point a flip switches and we see things differently. Instead of just taking a quick picture of the thing that's grabbed our attention, the impassioned photographer looks at the world with different eyes. Whatever your specialty--if you even have one--you will find yourself constantly scanning for the next composition, the next special subject to put on stage. Some places, like Beverly Beach, are so full of incredible sights that it seems that you could stand in one spot and fill a memory card with an endless variety of fabulous sights. Today's Picture The trail along Spencer Creek meandered into an area which was obviously quite wet most of the year. This was where a bunch of horsehair ferns grew and I loved staring at their unusual forms as I walked by. Imagine my surprise when I found this Banana Slug creeping slowly over one of these ferns! I couldn't believe my eyes! It's the only time I've seen such a thing and I never saw another slug there after that day. Lucky me! Today's Insets Inset #1: Dazzling buttercups twinkled cheerfully along the trail and I loved to see their shining golden faces smiling up at me. Inset #2: Depending on what time of the day and the weather, the view of the awesome bog changed dramatically. A blindingly bright but overcast day really made the greenery glow! Inset #3: A side view of a Bristle Flower shows its striped coloration and the sticky droplets that adorned its stems. Inset #4: Stepping over this dead fern frond that lay on the trail, I stopped and went back to take a picture because I thought the scene was really pretty. Inset #5: Trees are always falling across trails and many times they are too large to move and only the lighter side is pulled away (sometimes a path is sawn through the felled tree which is always fun to walk through!). This tree must have fallen a number of years ago and I loved looking at the moss taking over the end of it. Inset #6: A vertical panorama of Spencer Creek showing the canopy above and sparkling water below. Inset #7: One of the only days I could walk out to Beverly Beach without rain or blasting wind, the dramatic beauty of Spencer Creek emptying out into the ocean against a stormy sky is really something to look at! Thanks for Stopping By! I really appreciate your attention and support and all of the wonderful comments and stars too. The ipernity community really is my online family and I love you guys so much! Have a wonderful rest of your week! Explored on 2/10/22; highest placement #5.

(+7 insets) The Beverly Beach Trail…the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly When I read about this park, there were remarks that the trail which makes a loop around the park is hugely popular--too popular in fact--for people hoping for peace and serenity. I wondered about that and discovered that the proclamation was both true and false. An early morning walk met with no others and I shared the forest with twittering birds and lovely light. As the day went on, however, the number of people I encountered went up dramatically. Weekends were a high point for sure. Unleashed in this safe haven, children ran amok without supervision, screaming and yelling, breaking off branches--and even toppling a young tree in fact!--destroying and trampling plants, and leaving destruction visible everywhere. The park rangers and hosts would come through and clean up the mess on Monday and I did my part too. However, even though there was damage on occasion and far too many people (and their dogs) in the middle of the day, I was able to avoid the majority of the inundation. I was happy that people could enjoy such beauty and hoped that parents would guide their kids towards respecting nature instead of destroying it. I was happy that very little lasting damage occurred and that this amazing place could bring such joy to so many people! Today's Picture The trail leading down the edge of Spencer Creek breaks away here and there to meander through the forest. I discovered this moss and lichen-encrusted bench next to a magnificent tree and enjoyed appreciating this pair every day when I walked by. I imagined couples and kids sitting there through the years and it brought a smile to my face picturing the many stories that could be told from this lovely spot. Today's Insets Inset #1: This is a view of Spencer Creek where it meets the ocean on a very dramatic, cloud-filled morning on Beverly Beach. Inset #2: There was ivy crawling up trees in many places, a subject I have a hard time resisting! This perfect grouping of fresh new leaves made a nice basis for a fun, filtered image. Inset #3: Breathtaking Spencer Creek, adorned with greenery and lovely reflections. The park's main trail led up one side of the creek, over a foot bridge and down the other side and took walkers to the beach trail and was the emerald jewel of the park! Inset #4: A remarkable feature of Beverly Beach was its marvelous trees with cage-like roots that rose up and made wonderful caves that kids loved to play in. Here is my silly husband looking like a crazy person, peeking out from one of the tree's roots. (These trees begin by establishing themselves on a stump. Over the years the stump disintegrates and leaves the roots seemingly growing out of the ground in a cage-like appearance.) Inset #5: Fascinating detail of the unusual horsehair fern, a favorite plant of mine. It always makes me pause in wonder to think about the age of this living fossil. It is the remaining species of its genus and has survived for over 100 million years! It, along with many additional species at that time once dominated the understory of late Paleozoic forests. Remarkable! Inset #6: A vertical panorama which shows the lush forest encroaching on the footpath along Spencer Creek Inset #7: The other day I posted a picture showing a close-up of these beautiful leaves. Here they are again in their entirety, along with forest bokeh to set them off. Thanks for Your Visit! I hope all of you have a wonderful new week! Please stay safe! Explored on 2/7/22; highest placement #2.

This tree's roots made a fun cave for kids to crawl around in. My husband had fun looking like a crazy person for my picture of him! :D

(+6 insets) Oregon is Brimming with Lovely Sights The number of beautiful places in Oregon is simply staggering, with an endless variety of landscapes and environments to appreciate. We've had the privilege of seeing many of its treasures, but honestly, we've really only scratched the surface. In fact, we haven't seen the eastern part of the state at all, which ranges from towering forested mountains to arid, sprawling deserts. And though we've spent plenty of time up and down the coastline, there are so many places we haven't seen. And, even when parks may be close together, the habitats are often entirely different, so I'm always prepared for wonderful surprises wherever we go. Today's Picture There were lots of beautiful mushrooms to find on my walks and this perfect group was in just the right spot for an easy picture. I often have to spend time "clearing the stage" by removing sticks, leaves, bits of grass and other distractions, but once in a while I don't have to do anything! Seated in a bed of moss, I was dazzled at the wonderful texture and shape of this group's mocha-colored caps. Today's Insets Inset #1: Related to Bleeding Hearts and Dutchman's Breeches, this flower's name will make you laugh-- Squirrel Corn! The name comes from its underground food storage structures which look like corn kernels. Like many wildflowers, they contain chemicals that, if consumed in sufficient quantities, can be toxic. Inset #2: Beautiful new growth on conifers was everywhere to be seen and I loved to stare at the bright green sprigs that contrasted dramatically against the deep green of last year's growth. Inset #3: A pair of trees, entwined for life, look like a loving green couple to me and I smiled up at them every day as I passed by. Aren't they wonderful? Inset #4: The number of plant species that grew along the Spencer Creek trail was ridiculous and reminded me of a rain forest in the number and variety. For many days, I walked by clusters of what looked like dried-up brown flowers before I stopped and took a closer look. They weren't dried up at all, nor were they brown! They were so small I didn't notice them for what they were--tiny Bristle Flowers in stunning tones of striped magenta, pink and maroon. Inset #5: A vertical panorama of Spencer's Creek show the majesty of what I saw every day. Dappled stripes, shadows and sparkles on the shallow steam, and the stunning greenery that stretched for the sky. Inset #6: A pile of bull kelp on the sand at Beverly's Beach grabbed my attention in this image; in the distance a man threw a ball for his dog on this moody and magical day. Thank You For Coming By! I appreciate all of your visits, comments, and stars so much. With February rolling out before us, the promise of spring gets stronger with every passing day. Twinkling frosty mornings greet me and I hope that your weekend and upcoming week are full of pretty days too! Explored on 2/5/22; highest placement #2.

(+6 insets) Harbor Seal Pupping Season at Yaquina Head Light House! Everywhere along the coast of Oregon, there are so many wonderful things to see! One day we went out to the mouth of the Yaquina River, which featured the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. We read that there were tide pools and seals, trails and magnificent views. We were not prepared for the wonderful things we'd see that day! As luck would have it, we arrived during harbor seal pupping season! Furthermore, I nearly vibrated with excitement when I found out the area around Yaquina Head had a colony of seals there! In fact, to keep them safe, part of the accessible beach where the mothers and pups frequented was cordoned off and watched by eagle-eyed caretakers who were quick to tell anyone too close to please stay behind the tape. Yes! With all of the selfish ignoramuses out there, were very pleased that the seals had protectors looking out for them! Today's Picture Who doesn't love to watch seals?! They are like huge sea puppies and I adore them! Although the main attraction was the mothers and pups laying around on the algae-covered rocks, spotting them swimming around was a great game! I managed to get this incredibly lucky shot of an adult popping out of the water on its back and turning over, with a spray of water launched next to it. It's one of my very best sea life pictures! :) Today's Insets Inset #1: The main draw of this area is the gorgeous Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Viewed from the rocky beach near the Harbor Seal pupping grounds, you can see the wonderful tide pools found all up and down the coast here. Inset #2: The algae-covered rocks where the Harbor Seals raised their pups were full of rolly-polly moms and their babies. I couldn't stop cooing as I took pictures! :) How nice it was to have my Sony RX10 IV bridge camera with its 24-600 lens! I couldn't have gotten any worthwhile seal pictures without this super camera! Inset #2: At the far side of the accessible part of the beach I spotted a little cove where a mother had come out of the water, her pup just visible at her side. She looks rather non-plussed, don't you think?! :D Inset #4: Cormorants and other sea birds covered the rocks at the far side of the beach and Steve and I enjoyed watching their antics. I was happy to see that the area was cordoned off too, as the birds were busy planning families too. They were far enough away that I wasn't sure any pictures would turn out and I was delighted when I found this picture turned out so nicely! Inset #5: Yaquina Head's Cobble Beach was very unique because it was covered with true cobble stones, something we'd never encountered before. These polished rocks were slippery to walk on--warning signs were posted!--and they created an incredibly loud, almost musical tone as you walked carefully over them. Inset #6: The tide pools next to the rocky beach were teeming with life! This image shows some anemones and mussels that we saw, surrounded by different kinds of algae. Thank You For Visiting! Every time I check on my new presentation my face breaks out is such a big smile. It makes me so happy that you folks come to visit, even though I've been so negligent in my reciprocal visits. We've been getting so much frost in the mornings but in the afternoon it's warming up and Steve and I, with Pumpkin too, are going on walks in preparation for our upcoming adventures! Hope you're all healthy and doing well! Explored on 2/3/22; highest placement #1.

(+6 insets) Canopy of Green When reading about popular campgrounds in Oregon, Beverly Beach was one that came up a lot. People jumping up and down about how beautiful it was. It's one of those places that, if you don't sit on the reservation window when the sites become available, you won't get to stay there. We were really happy when we got a full two-weeks reservation because it's true, Beverly Beach is GORGEOUS! I couldn't believe the greenery everywhere, it was like a rainforest! Today's Picture Right next to the prehistoric-looking bog that I shared in my last post, my attention was drawn to this lovely tree with large leaves. The leaves were so pretty that I spent a while just staring, moving my position and looking again to appreciate the glowing leaves and beautiful textures of the veining. This image will give you an idea of what I was looking at! (I don't know what kind of tree this is…do you know?) Today's Insets Inset #1 &#2: Each morning I watched the trail carefully because quite often there would be a Rough-Skinned Newt making its rounds. They didn't move very fast and blended in with the trail so I watched for any movement as I walked along. Here was one of the little cutie-pies I happened upon, along with a close-up so you can see its face better. Inset #3: As you can imagine, such a lush and moist forest was a perfect environment for fungi and they were all over the place! Steve discovered this moss-covered trunk that was covered with an entire village of little mushrooms! Aren't they grand! Inset #4: One of the unusual features of this park was the great number of trees with these fabulous roots! They formed such large cage-like areas that I would often find clusters of children playing inside, giggling when I spotted them! Inset #5: The deep shore of Beverly Beach seemed to go on and on at low tide. On this grey and stormy day, I thought it was interesting how the receding waves seemed to entice me to follow them out to the ocean. Yikes! Inset #6: This is very close to the end of Spencer Creek, where it empties out into the Pacific Ocean at Beverly Beach. I loved looking at the waving grass under the clear water but this image, though pretty, cannot capture the mesmerizing sight. Thank You For Stopping By! I appreciate your visits, comments and stars more than you know. I fight with my feelings of guilt for not returning the favor and am still dealing with issues regarding anxiety but I'm getting more days that are better. It's a slow road. Today is the first day of February and spring is fast-approaching! I hope you all have a super week with signs of new growth and maybe even a crocus or two! Explored on 2/1/22; highest placement #5.

(+6 insets) Our Next Stop: Beverly Beach! Pulling up our stakes, we waved goodbye to wonderful Honeyman State Park and drove north on a short trip of just 1.5 hours, arriving at our campsite in the early afternoon (I've included the map image which shows our trip as the first inset). With such a short trip, we figured we have our carpets rolled out, so to speak, with plenty of time to acquaint ourselves. Little did we know, it would be dinner time before we could finally relax. Parking an RV, Especially a Big One, Can Be a Nightmare! With a couple of years' experience under our belts, Steve's learned to pick our sites very carefully, with attention to parking angles and obstacles which might be a problem. Before confirming a reservation, he studies overhead satellite images, park maps, and pictures by folks who dedicate themselves to sharing images of every site in Oregon parks. However, the site we thought looked easy to get into, turned out to be a nightmare. The spot was on a slight incline for one, which always made it very hard to level our trailer. Much worse were the tree roots which had pushed up the cement where we needed to back our trailer over. Four of the six leveling jacks under our trailer needed to clear those bumps and though I guided Steve safely over them, there was a unavoidable tiny bit of scraping on the ground. (Our leveling jacks are only about 18" off the ground when totally retracted and this presents problems if there are mounds or bumps on the path. To see what these look like, and to see them in action, check out this link by the company that made our pre-installed system.) Anytime there is a situation like this, we get extremely stressed out because we can't avoid imagining the "what ifs." After we were in our final position, Steve began to set things up while I looked to see that there would be room to open our slides, turning the narrow trailer into a homey living space. Very narrow, I fretted at the trees that were awfully close. Then I looked at our sewer hookup. It was buried! WHAT?! Wait, we paid for a site that had full hookups! Before Steve did anything else I alerted him and together we wondered aloud why this wasn't mentioned and what we could do about it. Finally Steve went to the registration booth to ask about our situation. Long story short, we ended up getting a different site a few spots away, which turned out to be a total dream! It was a bit of a challenge to get into but the space was large, flat and perfect! We learned that this was a special spot reserved for park staff relatives but because we were misled on our original spot, they let us have it. WHEW! Crisis averted, we were finally able to get set up by late afternoon, relieved and exhausted but very happy in the end. Today's Picture Located a mere minute's walk from our trailer was the entrance to a mind-bogglingly beautiful trail that led up one side of Spencer Creek and down the other side, popping out very close to the path to Beverly Beach. My first walk on this trail had me nearly tripping all over myself, exclaiming out loud because I couldn't believe the sight of this stunning creek and the glowing greenery everywhere. This view of the dappled shadows on the creek shows off the verdant forest and its lovely stream. Today's Insets Inset #1: I've included the map graphic of our trip and Beverly Beach is #4. :) Inset #2: Dazzling ferns of many kinds in glowing perfection were everywhere to be seen. This emerald eyeful shows one of the treats I enjoyed standing and staring at in pure joy. Inset #3: The deeply lined, heart-shaped leaves of a False Lily of the Valley lay over a thick layer of moss covering a log. Inset #4: I was lucky enough to capture this hungry hoverfly on a delicate and extremely tiny Bristle Flower, so unusual in its brown color. Inset #5: One of the most amazing sights on my daily walk was a true bog which literally took my breath away every time I stopped to gaze in wonder. The life there was very special to behold, with insects everywhere, birds, amphibians and even snakes enjoying the bounty that lived there above and below water. Steve and I adored this treasured spot and it looked very different as the light and weather changed its appearance throughout the day. Inset #6: Magnificent Beverly Beach was just incredible to see, and this panorama gives a glimpse of what it was like. The extremely windy, frigid and stormy conditions kept us off the beach for all but a couple of days but I took advantage the instant the weather allowed for a visit! Thank You For Your Visits! As always, I very much appreciate all your visits, comments and stars and I hope you've had a nice weekend. Let us hope your new week is a happy and healthy one! Explored on 1/31/22; highest placement #2.

(+5 insets) Becoming One with the Forest When I go out on a walk with my camera, I try to open my mind as wide as I can. I will prepare for my adventure by playing a two-part game called "10 Things," and as I walk along, I pick out 10 things that would be worthy of a picture and 10 natural things that I hear. The point isn't to begin taking pictures instantly, but instead to become one with my surroundings. The crunch of my footsteps over dried leaves, the shine of sunshine on a dew-laden leaf…the morning song of a bird perched invisibly nearby, the glow of light through a new cluster of leaves. With this exercise, I shed myself of all but the world around me and I am soon another spirit drifting through the trees… This will be my last post from Honeyman! It's time to move on to our next stop, but my, wasn't this a gorgeous place we got to visit?! :) A whole two weeks was such a gift, with time to relax and soak up everything this park had to offer. We just loved it here! Today's Picture The rewarding jewel of my long walk every day at Honeyman was the enchanted forest loop past the edge of Woahink Lake. Nowhere else was the feeling of immersion so strong, the sense of being welcome here so undeniable. The new growth was everywhere, including this cluster of budding pine cones. Unusual and beautiful, I loved to stare at these closely whenever I had the chance. This image also shows the beautiful bokeh which can be achieved with my wonderful bridge camera, the Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV . Today's Insets Inset #1: The other day I posted a magnificent Fringed Pinesap for my main image. There was another one sitting beside it which had just erupted from the ground and would not open up for many days. It was wonderful to get the opportunity to enjoy the show. :) Inset #2: This pair of budding, droplet-covered fuchsia twins was a great find and a delight to behold! They aren't native to Oregon but are a commonly planted species around state parks which are loved by all who find the dazzling dancing ballerinas. Inset #3: On the moss-covered floor of the magical forest loop I found countless Bird's Nest fungus adhered to twigs and branches that lay on the ground. The cups they formed were filled with spores called periodoles, which are ejected from their "nests" by water droplets that hit them and slowly spread these pretty fungi. This page, "Splish Splash Bird's Nest Fungi" is full of super information, pictures and graphics to teach readers about these remarkable, unusual nests. Inset #4: Two trees leaning towards one another over a tiny pond, the glowing, moss-covered "arms" seemed to stretch out to touch one another and the scene was magical to me. Inset #5: One last picture of the sand dunes meeting the edge of Cleawox Lake, formatted to be a wide panorama. What a sight. And Cleawox Lake was marvelous too, and full of trout that we caught for many meals! In fact, we caught so many (31!!) that we still had some in our freezer to enjoy when we got home! DELICIOUS! Thank You For Coming By! I appreciate all of your visits, comments and stars so much. I hope you have a marvelous weekend--please take care of yourselves! :) Explored on 1/29/22; highest placement #3.

(+5 insets) Starting to Feel Better! The sun is breathtaking this morning, blinding me with radiance as it lights up the sparkling frost carpeting our meadow. The frozen twinkles will be gone soon though, now that the sun has found them, but I am overjoyed to see this dazzling show. I am delighted to report that I'm beginning to feel better, with just a little bit of help from medicine to ease my terrible anxiety and clawing depression. These feelings are like rolling tides that go in and out. Right now they are at a low ebb and I can gaze around me with welling joy and happiness, looking forward to our upcoming trip. I know these tides will slowly rise again and I will struggle once more, but finally they aren't getting as bad as they were. Knowing that things are getting better, for even a little while, is priceless to me. Thank You I also think about all of you who have come to visit me, even when I've not been able to return the favor. Although I have said thank you many times, perhaps you don't know that I've found your support to be a kind of lifeline sometimes. When I've felt so desperate, and worthless, I've come to read your comments and they've reminded me that I'm none of the terrible things I'm feeling. Coaxing me to smile and laugh, enjoying the words you leave for me, it really has meant so much. I am forever grateful. Today's Picture Honeyman State Park is the second largest Oregon state park campground, offering more than 350 campsites spread across eight loops which are nested in the forest just next to the sand dunes which march up and down the coast for 30 miles. Every site is unique, with trees and bushes, moss, ferns and logs to set them apart. One campsite had a gorgeous Forget-Me-Not plant that had burst into bloom and one morning after a night of rain, I brought my macro flash over to capture these stunning beauties, with hopes I would get some pretty pictures to share. Success! :) Today's Insets Inset #1: I was delighted to see the beautiful groups of California Groundcone along the Woahink Lake portion of my daily walk. They were in such perfect condition and perfectly placed for easy photography! Inset #2: Light shining through this pair of glowing fern fronds took my breath away, showing off the spores that dotted each pinnae. I didn't see that I'd also captured the gossamer threads of a spiderweb until I looked at the images on my computer! Inset #3: I looked up the trunks of trees with hopes to find mushrooms and here I found a beautiful shelf fungus. It was adorned with its nightly exudence of moisture, gleaming droplets forming as the change in temperature from night to day and liquid was forced out with the increase of pressure. Inset #4: Falling trees are a big headache to anyone maintaining a trail system and often the easiest solution is to saw a chunk out of the trunk and leaving the rest. I love the way this looks and loved walking through this timber doorway! :) Inset #5: I really couldn't get enough of this beautiful sight, the sand dunes meeting the edge of Cleawox Lake. I cannot help but think about all of the sand dunes and deserts in the world which march slowly across the world. Again, Thank You So Much! Your visits, comments and stars really make my day and I appreciate more than I can say. I've not been able to return the favor but finally I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for stopping by! Please take care of yourselves and have a wonderful rest of your week! Explored on 1/26/22; highest placement #3.