New Growth at Honeyman State Park! (+5 insets)

(+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.