Jackson Bottom Wetlands - June 7, 2014

Took a stroll around Jackson Bottom Wetlands last Saturday. Learned a valuable lesson for the gazillionth time. Always make sure your batteries are fully charged before headed out on a photo excursion! Yep, you would think I would remember that by now. However, it may not be what you are thinking! My camera batteries were just fine. This time it was the batteries in my flash unit that were nearly dead. And I was going to try out the new Better Beamer on the birdies, too! Ah well, the BB has a fine reputation and I'm sure it won't be long before I'll be back in the field trying it out.

So, here are some images that I made on the outing. I do hope you enjoy them!

This American Robin sure seemed rather scruffy. Not sure of how healthy it might be, or if it just didn't get the memo that it was picture day!

I'll be the first to admit that I have no idea when it comes to most flower/plant life what the common names are. But I do know when they look reeeel purty!

Another blossom that I don't know the name of. But I sure did like this little scene.

Thought the two little spots of blue added to this composition.

I really enjoyed how these flowers looked really wind blown. Truth is, the air was pretty still when I made this image.

I believe this is a wild rose. Either way, it's a pretty!

I wanna call this Lupine. I'm reasonably sure about that, but then...

OK, say it with me, "Awwwwww!" Found this cute little bunny out looking for something to munch on.

"Run away! Run away!" Yeah, even though I was talking to it the whole time, this little bunny was too skittish to hang out and chit chat with me. Off it went into the bushes.

Pretty yellow flowers.

There were lots of bull frogs in the water. I just couldn't get them to coordinate their croaking so I could make an image with their air sac filled.

Is it me, or does this guy look like he could take me?

A Mallard hen. The light was tricky without my flash, but I think this is a fair image.

Some kind of butterfly. I'm thinking it might be a cabbage butterfly, or something like that.

The bees were out in force. It a hard job, but they never slowed down one bit.

If you ask me, this is no place to set up house!

A cute little mallard family (minus Dad).

There were several Cinnamon Teal pairs on the water. And the males would make grandiose charges at each other - splashing, clucking, running on the water, etc.

After a successful charge, this guy was pretty pleased with himself and "crowed" about it for a while.

Of course, one must take a moment to preen after the chase.

A female Goldfinch seemed to be checking out the end of this blade of grass. Seriously, I hate it when they clean their teeth with blades of grass.

I'm thinking that this is a juvenile Tree Swallow. Not much color on this one.

A male Goldfinch hangs out under the tree canopy.

I think I recall that someone mentioned this crop is a radish of some kind. It sure is white and pretty!

The sun was beating down, but it wasn't that hot. The crops are growing strong.

As I stood there composing this shot, I suddenly realized that it sounded like I had my head stuck in a bee hive. The area was LOUD with the buzzing of bees hard at work.

I tried for over an hour to get this seagull to take the cracker from my hand. They sure are stubborn birds!

I hope you enjoy these images. As always, I would love to hear your feedback on these images. And who knows, maybe we'll run into each other while out there making magic!  :)

Central Oregon Coast - June 2, 2014

The final day spent on the coast. I had such a wonderful time reconnecting with my great friends Jim and Cindy Griggs! Thank you so much, you two! Miss you much as you travel back home. Be safe!

This last set of images was made at Yaquina Head. Although I was able to see the Peregrine Falcon at the Visitor's Center, it was just too far out of reach of my lenses. What a beautiful bird, though. I hope you enjoy this last selection of images from my trip.

We were greeted to the lighthouse area by this little White Crowned Sparrow. Such a beautiful song!

Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Typical Oregon sky, but the colors were still nice.

Just a couple of birds nest in this area. Mostly Pigeon Guillemots, Brandt's Cormorants, and one California Gull. There's always one....

Another brooding area with lots of Thick-billed Murres and a few Brandt's Cormorants.

Not sure of the flower, but they were blooming all around the area.

One needs to keep up their strength when singing at high volumes, as shown by this White Crowned Sparrow.

One of the more iconic lighthouses along the Oregon coast. Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, Oregon.

Kinda felt like making a black and white image of the waves. In the light we had that day, the waves were nearly colorless anyway.

A closer look at the nesting birds atop the rocks just off shore.

A fine selection of Brandt's Cormorants as they nest. If you look close (click on image to enlarge) you can see the bright blue waddles that these cormorants have.

More nesting Brandt's Cormorants.

The waving grasses and Yaquina Head Lighthouse just north of Newport, Oregon.

The sky wasn't the best for tourists, but not too bad for photographers!

I'm pretty sure this is a Harbor Seal momma and baby. They were looking towards shore - probably seeking a place to get out of the water for a bit.

The little one did a fair amount of floating like this. I bet it was pretty tired of battling the wave action.

A Pelagic Cormorant sitting on the cliffs near the lighthouse. You can see the breeding plumage - the red around the cheeks and the white patch on the flanks.

More new life. I took a photo years ago of the spiral, new growth from this very same tree. It's quite the model!

OK, that does it for my coastal trip. I'm really going to try to keep the blogs coming, but excuse me if I'm not the best at it. For some reason I have a real block on blogging. I can talk a blue streak, but just can't seem to grasp the concept of writing it down! But I'm going to try!

Look for more images and a blog coming soon from a trip to Jackson Bottom Wetlands, near Hillsboro, Oregon.

Thanks very much for viewing! I hope you take a moment to add a comment below so that I know you were here and who to thank!

Central Oregon Coast - June 1, 2014

More images made during my recent trip to the Waldport/Yachats area of the Oregon coast.

Just love the way these rocks along the coast have eroded over the years.

Natural bridge formation.

Couldn't believe how deep the foreground tide pool was. Had to be 4-5 feet deep!

This little chasm ran out into the surf. Wish I would have been there when the waves were rushing in!

More tidal pools atop the rocks. At this point, I had to be standing around 10' above the surf below.

Yes, more tidal pools!

The wind was a-blooooowin'!

I found it! Batman's vacation hideaway!

Lots of sea plants on all of the rocks around this area.

What a great place to hang out and lean against a rock to relax.

The fresh water from inland making it's way back to mother ocean.

Love the rocks along the coast.

Not sure of the flower, but loving where it grows.

Atop Cape Perpetua looking down towards the Devil's Churn and Cook's Chasm.

I used to know the name of this little flower. I think it was "Ralph."

Almost a heart shape! Yarrow growing along the trail.

Kind of strange seeing the Coast Guard helicopter at eye level.

Indian Paint Brush along the trail atop Cape Perpetua.

Nature's bouquet, Cape Perpetua.

This thing looked otherworldly to me. So yeah, I had to photograph it!

My good friend Jim Griggs making magic with his 4/3 camera setup.

Who couldn't love the lush forest along the Oregon coast?

I ain't gonna lie, I sure did chew up some Wood Sorrel.

A little creek returning water to the sea.

Yeah, that little blob way out there? That's my buddy Jim Griggs photographing the flowers amid the tall trees. Believe me, the resulting image by Jim was fantastic!

Good ol' Skunk Cabbage, ferns, and Foxglove growing in the marshy area of Cape Perpetua.

Was nice to sit by this little creek and listen to the waters soothing babble.

Another view of the creek (whose name I obviously never got).

My buddy Jim Griggs photographing at Seal Rock.

Nope, this seagull is not sporting one of the finest handlebar mustaches I've ever seen. It worked on this Sea Star for quite a few minutes before it flew off. Not sure if it ever got it down, but it sure tried.

Patterns in the sand, in black and white.

Patterns in the sand, in color.

Sun setting, waves crashing, seagull chillin'. What a way to end the day!

As the sun hangs low, the ocean waves return to shore.

The last sliver of light before we finished another amazing day.

One more post coming up of images made on this trip. I hope you have enjoyed the images and will consider leaving a comment below to let me know you were here!