Oceanspray

Oceanspray, Holodiscus discolor

I've heard this bush referred to as "ironwood". This is because the wood is apparently very hard and strong. Native Americans used the stems to make digging sticks, bows and arrows, harpoons, spears, and more.

Oceanspray is one of my favorite shrubs. From a distance, the flower bunches are a white blur. When you look closer, however, the individual flowers are spectacular little explosions of beauty.

These little fireworks are perfect for the 4th of July season, aren't they?

St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum

The St. John's Wort is blooming everywhere this year, the vibrant yellow flowers standing out amongst the surrounding weeds and grasses.

St. John's wort has been used for centuries to treat depression.

In my world ... who could be depressed when surrounded by all this delicate beauty???

How to know if you are holding a St. John's Wort flower? Crush it between your fingers. It will leave a purple stain!

Oak leaf Shadows - Shadow Shot Sunday

I couldn't resist these early morning oak leaf shadows.

To see shadows from around the world, click here for Hey Harriet's Shadow Shot Sunday!

Sleeping Bumblebee - Weekend Reflections

It was very early on a chilly morning when I found this bumblebee sound asleep on a thistle plant. He didn't move - even as I got up close to snap his portrait.

I immediately fell in love with his mohawk!!!

When I looked closer to admire his 'do' ... I noticed the tiny drops of 'dew' on his fur ... and the reflections of the morning in his eye ...

To see beautiful and unique reflections from around the world, please visit James at Newton Area Photo - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Black Twinberry

Black Twinberry, Lonicera involucrata

These beautiful plants hold a certain fascination for me.
Maybe because their flowers resemble bright yellow honeysuckle blossoms (they are in the same family as honeysuckle).

Or maybe it's because of the 'twin' part.
Those of us who are parents of twins ALWAYS notice when other twins are present!

Thistle Art

I found this thistle growing in an abandoned field ...
It's leaves a jumble of twists and turns - spines at the ready against any intruder.

Thistles are considered an invasive species in our area ...
And when you run into a patch of these, you know how painful they can be ...

But they have a kind of chaotic beauty. To me at least.

A Walk Along the Willamette - Weekend Reflections

I had the opportunity to take a stroll along the Willamette River.

The water level has come down - it hasn't rained in a couple of days. Much.

I was alone on the dock ...
Serene and peaceful.

To see reflections from around the world, please visit James at Newton Area Photo - and join us for Weekend Reflections!

Honeysuckle Flowers

Mom's honeysuckles are starting to bloom.

They start out white, then turn yellow within a few days ...

How I wish you could breathe in this heavenly aroma!

Grass Forest Shadows ... Shadow Shot Sunday

I was intrigued by the forest of delicate grasses and their equally delicate shadows growing in the former parking lot of the abandoned mega-church.

To see shadows from around the world, please visit Hey Harriet - and join in on Shadow Shot Sunday!

Beetle Reflection - Weekend Reflections

A shiny beetle reflects the evening sky ...
And trees ...

To see reflections from around the world, please visit James at Newton Area Photo - and participate in Weekend Reflections!

Blue-Eyed Grass Surprise

Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium idahoense

I am always thrilled when I find a wildflower I've never seen before.
This is one of those flowers!

It's beautiful blue leaves and vivid yellow center caught my eye ... but I had to look it up in my trusty "Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast" (Jim Pojar & Andy MacKinnon) to know exactly what kind of flower it was.

Bee on Oxeye Daisy

There must have been a lot of pollen on this Oxeye daisy, because this bee never did move as I took his portrait. He was too busy!

Red Clover

I found this common red clover at the edge of the field ...

For the first time in a long time, I noticed it's 'uncommon' beauty!

Beaver Dam - Weekend Reflections

A 15 minute walk from my couch.
The beaver dam!

With signs of beaver life ...
And reflections of the surrounding forest ...

So why don't I come here more often?
I'm not sure ... maybe it's because of the rain.
Maybe it's because it's a hard hike down into the canyon ...
Maybe it's because I forget it's there?

Whatever the reason, I vow to return.
As soon as the rain stops.
Or when I can find my boots ...

To see reflections from around the world, please visit James at Newton Area Photo - and participate in Weekend Reflections!

Bird on Branch

When I was walking the other day I noticed several birds following me. There were 3 and they followed me around, chirping and tweeting.

I wondered if they were the grown-up babies I watched until they left the nest ...

Maybe ...

I just enjoyed their presence.

All This Rain Makes the Cottonwoods Drip

For the past week, allergy sufferers have been dealing with the 'fluff' falling from black cottonwoods, Populus balsamifera. In some places, it covers sidewalks and roads like drifting snow.

So today's heavy rains are actually a blessing in disguise.
Because now we can breathe again!

And we can once again lose ourselves in the jeweled beauty of the raindrop ...