Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Fly on Blackberry Leaf


I was taking some pictures of Spring, when I noticed these strangely iridescent flies buzzing around. They seemed to be concentrating on last year's leaves ...

Maybe that's where the warmth of the sun was best for early Spring sunbathing ...

Kinda made me wish I was a fly ...

Monday, March 29, 2010

My Shell Garden ...


All of the shells I have found over the years are lovingly placed in my shell garden ...
But that one ... I don't recognize!
Do you see him?


This wonderful forest snail certainly picked the right place to hide!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Seasons Change ...


Spring: To watch the big leaf maple leaf grow from tiny to huge ...
Such was the miracle of new growth and life.

Summer: This huge green leaf shaded and cooled the forest floor, brought relief from the heat.

Fall: It became part of the autumn glory of the forest, dressed in reds and yellows.

Winter: Covered with snow, pounded by rain ... it started to become one with the forest in a whole new way ...

Soon what is left of this leaf will be part of the circle of life.

Spring: To watch the big leaf maple leaf grow from tiny to huge ...

The Recurring Miracle of LIFE.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Fuzzy Caterpillar In the Rain


This fuzzy little guy
Got wet in the same rain storm
That I walked through

He made the soaking worthwhile!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Daffodil Reflections - Weekend Reflections


Daffodils, weighed down by the rain, are reflected in this bit of broken mirror.

For more beautiful reflections from around the world, please visit Weekend Reflections.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

A Daffy Little Spider


He lives here, his own private heaven-in-a-daffodil.
I've seen him every day for the past week.
And tried to take his portrait every one of those days.
But I just couldn't get the right timing.

The lighting and timing were perfect yesterday afternoon.

And I finally captured my "daffy" little spider!!!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Hidden Rabbit


Shhhhhhhh be Vewy Quiet.
I'm hunting Wabbits!!!

I can heaw the wabbit,
But I can't see it.

It must be hiding in the bwambles
of last yeaw's blackbewies.

Shhhhhhhhh. Look vewy closely.
I'm suw it's in the shot.

That wascally wabbit.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Killdeer


For the past several years we have been blessed to see a killdeer raising her family in the huge gravel parking lot across the street. Her cries are unmistakable.

I hadn't heard her this year.
Until yesterday.

I heard her before I saw her. I saw her before she saw me!
Once she did, she was gone.
Running away, leading me away from her nest - which remains hidden.
I will leave her in peace
To raise her babies.
Maybe I will get lucky and see them before they fly away themselves.


Monday, March 22, 2010

Life's a Pitch?


The fir tree is injured in some way ...
It is pouring out pitch.
Some of it looks like blood!


Most of it looks like amber jewels, though.


Sunday, March 21, 2010

Eagle


I was on my way home from church, driving over the newly built bridge over the bird sanctuary when I saw a car pulled over, the driver pointing hysterically.

I looked to my left and saw him!
This beautiful eagle!

I pulled over to the side of the bridge, and grabbed my camera. Behind me, car after car pulled over to see this amazing site.

The heavy mist, blown by the wind, gave the scene a grainy, somewhat surreal quality.

By the time I was finished, my camera, the inside of my car, and my left leg were soaked. But it was well worth it.

I finally captured my eagle!!!!!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Gooseberry Buds


My sister and I trekked through the woods yesterday, in the forest where we played and explored as children.

It was the same, yet it was much different.
The magic, though, was still there.

We found these gooseberry plants just starting to flower. When in full bloom, their blossoms are a delicate soft pink. The buds appear to be bright red.

It was hard to go back home, but it got late. It gets dark early in the woods ... down in the canyon ... where the magic is ...



Friday, March 19, 2010

Dark Daffy


The late evening light lends a bit of mystery to this daffodil.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Camelia Tree


The camelia tree by the pond is in full bloom.
It is enchanting!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Fir Cones and Flowers


I was trying to capture the beautiful spring blossoms.
But the fir cones stole the show!!!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Likin' the Lichen


Rainbows of lichen color ...


Branches full of the stuff ...


Now on the forest floor ...

It's been windy.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Moss


The rains of spring ...


Bring the green ...


To my world.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum


After several years of very sparse blooms


Flowering currant blooms are abundant!


I really love seeing these beautiful local bushes everywhere this year.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Who's Eating the Daffodils?


When I said 'The daffodils this year look delicious" ...
This was not exactly the results I had in mind.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Flowering Quince


The flowering quince out by my puzzle tree is blooming.


It blooms every year.


But this year is special.

It finally has more than 2 or 3 blossoms!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Pitch Drop


The trees this Spring are loaded with pitch.

Pitch is in the air!
On my hands,
In my hair.



Sunday, March 7, 2010

Alligator Lizard


I hadn't seen an alligator lizard around here in years.
Then I rescued this one from a playful kitty, who had him cornered ... warily watching him move from side to side, then freeze when anything came near.

I picked him up, carrying him across the street into a "kitty-free" area, back to freedom ... where he scooted off in search of his tiny bit of heaven.

For more camera critters, please visit here!


Saturday, March 6, 2010

Spider Heaven, er, Web



If you enlarge, you will see some of the most beautiful 'Nature's Jewels' ever!

I have to admit, I enhanced the blue color of the web - although not very much. It was a gray cloudy day when I took this shot, and the web was already quite blueish.


Friday, March 5, 2010

Nature's Jewels - Raindrops on Red Bush


I don't know what kind of bush this is, but the red background color, combined with the delicate yellow flowers and glowing raindrops made for a startling picture.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Deadnettle Blooming

I found a deadnettle blooming yesterday afternoon. It was nestled under a large fir tree, near the path that goes into the woods.

I've always loved deadnettles ... they are the underdog!
Their beautiful purple flowers are so small, they are often overlooked.


Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Spring Blooms - Azaleas


I found this beautiful azalea blooming at the Tigard Senior Center where I was waiting for mom to get off work.


Monday, March 1, 2010

Porcupine Eggs!

Sweet gum
Liquidambar styraciflua

AKA - Porcupine Eggs!!!