Janet Brien's photos

(+6 insets!) The Magic of Being In The Moment As creative spirits, all of us seek to slip into that special time when we are experiencing the world in a kind of magical flow. We forget about time. We forget about problems. We forget about almost everything…except for what's exactly in front of us, shown through the lens of our camera. Being in the moment is sort of like being one with the universe, I guess. You feel it right down to the bottom of your soul and when you do, all is right with your world. What I've said will sound really weird to anyone who cannot tap into their creative spirit, but to everyone else, you Get It. Makes the world go 'round for us and every one of us--be it Leonardo DaVinci or Ansel Adams, George Carlin or Leonard Nimoy…everyone knows this pinnacle of creatives and we lust for it. Aren't we lucky to be part of that special group?! Wandering in the Moment with Camera In-Hand Unfortunately, you can't just flip a switch to get into this creative place. Everything has to be just right. If you're not in the mood, if something's off, there's no way you'll get into that space. I can feel when things are clicking into place and when I do, I grab my camera and pop out of the RV… Today's Pictures I felt the smallest sensation of something crawling on me and when I looked on my arm, I was amazed to find a tiny ant with wings--it was a queen! After carefully moving it to the sandy ground I got this picture to share. Today's Insets The first is another picture of the beautiful little flowers called Ground Smoke showing bokeh flowers behind. Then you'll see a mushroom that I found on my morning walk. I'm always triggered to look at anything round but I could hardly believe what I was seeing because it was so dry--how could a mushroom possibly grow in loose, dusty soil without moisture? It was also really big--at least 5" in diameter--what a find! I can only imagine it survived on the early morning dew but still, I was stunned. The next couple of pictures show a pine tree's shadows on the side of the RV, and I stood mesmerized as the shadows moved with the breeze. There's something so zen about watching shadows, isn't there? Next is a bone-dry, age-old stump that I couldn't resist photographing…the texture, still-visible radiating age circles and lovely gnarled edges are so wonderful! And finally, the yellowing pine needles of a dying branch were really pretty to me and interesting to appreciate. Thank You! Your visits mean so much to me, and totally make my day! Thanks always for your visits, stars and wonderful comments. You guys are the best! :) Have a wonderful day and stay safe out there! Explored on 3/28/21; highest placement #1.

(+5 insets!) Oregon is Brimming with Natural Wonders to Discover Since we got our first RV in 2018, we finally had the opportunity to explore, enjoy, and appreciate the boundless beauty of Oregon. We've been along the rugged coast and beaches and nestled in deep woods. We've experienced Oregon's version of a rain forest, and we've frolicked amidst gorgeous meadows that hug riversides interspersed with small forest nuggets. Another area we've gotten to know is Oregon's "high desert" where LaPine State Park sits. Imagine a very dry area with lots of sandy, loose soil, but instead of cactus there are pine trees and hardy scrub brush. It's not so dry that rivers don't run through and the Deschutes River begins its journey here, travelling from Little Lava Lake, about 25 miles northwest of LaPine, and eventually joining Oregon's largest river, the Colombia, after a trip of 250 miles. LaPine State Park is One of Our Favorites…What About You? You would think that such a dry place wouldn't be high on our list, but it sure is. True, the plant life isn't as varied as a moister locale, but it's lovely nonetheless, and what it lacks in variety of plants, it more than makes up with all of the hiking and biking trails found here. Steve and I have such a great time here that since discovering this park, it's a "Must Go" spot every year. What about you? Do you have a special place that you simply must go to anytime you're in the area? I'd love to hear about it! After all, if we're lucky, we'll someday make it to your neck of the woods, so why not entice me with your favorite park(s)? :D Today's Main Picture Every morning when I'm at LaPine, I walk around each campground loop and then head up one of the trails to the park entrance before travelling back along the Deschutes River and finally back to our "home on wheels." One morning I was walking past a campsite and noticed a bush with tiny white flowers. A closer look revealed beautiful tiny blossoms which begged for proper macros. Later that day I returned with my beloved Canon and macro lens and managed to get a bunch of very nice shots. Isn't it wonderful when you are successful despite the fact that a breeze is trying to ruin every picture? I was delighted that within my large group of hopefuls, I got an assortment of crisp images amongst a bunch of blurry ones. This picture of "Coville's Ground Smoke" was my favorite, but I have two more to share in my next uploads for LaPine. Today's Insets LaPine is a very popular home to many species of squirrels, including one that's often mistaken as a chipmunk, the Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel. I admit being very surprised when I realized the "chipmunk" I photographed on a lava rock was actually a ground squirrel! Another common resident is both the smallest chipmunk and also the most widely spread, otherwise known as the Least Chipmunk. I got a fun picture of one working on a little pine cone which I turned into a b/w to show off the fun shadows. If you look carefully around a pine tree, you'll often see droplets of sap oozing from woodpecker holes or broken tree limbs and if the sun is in the right spot, the droplets will glow beautifully! I'm also sharing a crusty droplet of resin that's dried up but interesting to look at with lots of granulated detail. Finally, the last picture is a collage of images that shows a group of ants attacking a caterpillar to bring back to its nest. I appreciate these glimpses of nature's cycle of life, and though it's too bad for the caterpillar, it will be an important source of food for the colony and I was fascinated by this show. Thank You! I always appreciate your visits, stars and comments--my smiles warm the room! I am so happy that I can spread a bit of joy, interest and hopefully some education to your day--it's what I hope for every time I post one of my presentations. Please take care of yourselves and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Explored on 3/26/21; highest placement #3.

(+14 insets!) Volcanic Recap to Fully Appreciate Today's Images of Paulina Lake Visiting a volcanic area really requires a bit of education because it's so important to understand why it's so incredible and should deserve an awed appreciation. So the other day I explained a few volcanic terms to you including volcano (the four main types are composite, shield, cinder cone, and supervolcano) cinder cone (a tiny volcano), crater (a large, bowl-shaped cavity within most cinder cones) and caldera (a large cauldron-like depression formed when a mountain collapses after a volcanic eruption). National Geographic explains that "craters are formed by the outward explosion of rocks and other materials from a volcano. Calderas are formed by the inward collapse of a volcano. Craters are usually more circular than calderas." A Pair of Lakes in the Newberry Volcano Caldera Both craters and calderas can be so huge that you can't even see them because they can cover many miles…even the size of a small country. The Apolaki Caldera . in the Philippines is 93 miles across, and South Africa's, Vredefort Crater is over 190 miles across! The Newberry Volcano's caldara is tiny in comparison--a mere 5 miles across--but unless you are high above, you cannot see the definition of this area. The deepest depressions of the Newberry Caldera are the homes of two lakes--Paulina and East Lake. These pure water lakes are fed only by rain, snow melt and hot springs and thus, they are a gorgeous, deep blue (The most famous lake in Oregon is Crater Lake, known for its incredible blue color and pure, unsullied water fed only by snow melt and rain). Today's Pictures One day Steve and I drove 30 minutes from LaPine State Park to Paulina Lake and hiked around one side. It was an incredible day, shared by Pumpkin in her front-pack cage and all of us had a lovely adventure! The main picture shows a fellow in a kayak who was able to quietly approach a flock of fabulous-looking Common Merganser ducks. Today's Insets Although I wasn't able to get close to these birds, I did get a couple of nice group shots to share. As we walked around the edge of the lake I saw many scraggly trees bending over the water. I also got a picture of a boat owner enjoying the lake. At one point I saw a cluster of bees on a Bull Thistle and it was only later that I discovered how cool these grey-eyed bees are! Sadly, I didn’t get any great pictures of the bees' faces but this picture turned out nicely otherwise. (if you'd like to see their amazing eyes, take a look at this page: Featured Creatures: Common Long-horned Bee. ) Finally, there was a stream that actually led from the lake in a very swampy marshy area and the light and shadow against the cloud-strewn sky is just delicious! :) I am also adding the pictures I posted months ago of our walk around Paulina Lake for a more complete presentation. Some pictures show the jaw-dropping obsidian boulders, rocks and chunks we found along the trail here, one of Newberry's special features. AMAZING! I hope everyone is doing well! The rollout of vaccine continues and we are hoping to get ours sometime in the next couple of months. Please stay safe, dry and warm! And thank you very much for all of your visits, comments and stars! :) Explored on 3/25/21; highest placement #15.

(+5 insets) Capturing Unforgettable Sights Aren't we lucky to be photographers?! It's so wonderful to be able to look through our pictures and be transported back to the very second an image is taken. Quite often, every detail comes back--the smell, the sounds, the temperature, how we are feeling just then…it can be like a time machine, can't it? Some places we visit are indelibly imprinted on our minds because they are so incredible. This walk at Newberry National Volcanic Monument's Lava Lands Interpretive Trail was just that sort of place. It's so amazing to visit a place so entirely foreign to what's feels normal, isn't it? As we meandered on the paved trail, we stopped to read and appreciate the informative plaques along the way. The visual portrayals of this event had us staring off into the distance and picturing in our minds what this volcanic event might have been like back then. I always appreciate the perspective I get from these experiences. I think it's so important to be reminded of just how small, temporary and insignificant we all are. For me, this makes me feel even more impressed and I gain a greater understanding of our planet. Fabulous. :) Today's Pictures The main image today shows the path we walked on with the gorgeous view in both the fore- and background. What a day. What an opportunity! What luck to have a way to visit this place while a pandemic is raging over the planet?! Wow. Today's Insets I've included another handful of images to show some of the highlights of our walk and I hope you enjoy them! If you are ever able to visit, I cannot recommend this walk highly enough! I hope you're all doing well--I've been visiting your photo streams and it's making me happy to know that some restrictions are being lifted and you're able to explore again! Please stay safe!! Happy Spring!! Explored on 3/22/21; highest placement #1.

(+5 insets) (please view large!!) Protecting our Wonderful Natural & Historical Places I don't know about you, but I've always assumed that every park out there is a zillion years old. But it's not true! New park lands are being set aside and protected all the time. In the US as an example, there have been 13 newly designated national parks since the late 1990's--they had been listed as state-level or other types of parks before that. National park status in the US means more funds and protection--which is a great thing! However, the added wear and tear due to more visitors is the double-edged sword. Land set aside as state parks, monuments and historical areas are added on a regular basis, often deeded for this purpose after a land-owner died or a dedicated group was able to purchase the property. I was surprised to learn that sometimes a park will get a downgrade in status, from national status to a state park, monument or another lesser designation. Maybe a state will want to assume control, or an area will be so sensitive to traffic of any sort that it's removed from a roster to protect it from harm---Shoshone Cavern National Monument was renamed Spirit Mountain Cave and is now only accessible with rarely-provided permits. Other times it makes better sense to join nearby areas into a larger park--General Grant National Park was added to the nearby Kings Canyon National Park, for instance. What about your country? It's fascinating to learn what's new and changed in regards to new parks and historical areas in your home country! Newberry National Volcanic Monument was carefully divided from the Deschutes National Forest in 1990 and includes 54,000 acres of land dedicated to the protection and promotion of this special area. By setting aside special spaces and promoting the areas to the public, money can also be generated to develop trails and information to educate visitors. Interpretive Lava Lands Trail What an amazing path for everyone to enjoy! Wheelchair-accessible, this trail winds and zigzags up and around piles of eon's old lava flows, interspersed with detailed signs along the way. The area was very popular and we had to deal with non-stop groups of people who often didn't wear masks. Still, the mind-boggling experience of this place was worth it. We couldn't stop taking pictures!! (If you're interested, here's a video which shows how wonderful this path is: Accessible Adventures: Deschutes National Forest ) Today's Pictures I'll have two post's worth of images to share and today's main image is a panorama which shows the path leading up into the field of lava. Mind-bending, no? We had to stop and stare or risk stumbling off the path in our delirium! :D Today's Insets I have a number of pictures that show the view as we made our way up and down the path, enjoying every spectacular moment. Could the sky be any prettier?! :D The last image shows part of the interpretive area shown through the conifer forest at the edge. I hope everyone is enjoying the emergence of spring! It's waking up around here and we're getting ready for our 2021 RV trip! So busy!! Please take care of yourselves! Explored on 3/20/21; highest placement #39.

(+5 insets!) (Please view large for an awesome sight!) Staggering 360 Views and an Important Job The Lava Butte cinder cone, a prominent feature of in Newberry National Volcanic Monument, has been designated as a fire lookout since 1931. The trail that goes around the lip of Lava Butte is an unforgettable experience and it's easy to see why this lookout is able to call in over 100 fire sightings every year. Volcano, Cinder Cone, Crater and Caldara: What's the Difference? Volcanic terms can be so confusing to me and though I knew was a cinder cone was, I didn't quite understand the difference between a crater and a caldera. Turns out I needed a bit of clarification and I thought you might find this interesting too! Volcano : there are four main types--composite, shield, cinder cone, and supervolcano. Cinder cone : the smallest type of volcano and easy to recognize as a volcano because they are compact and easy to see completely. Caldera : large cauldron-like depressions formed when a mountain collapsed after a volcanic eruption Crater : a large, bowl-shaped cavity in the ground and an obvious feature or most cinder cones. If you'd like more information about volcanic terms with pictures and videos, I highly suggest this page: Lumen Learning: Types of Volcanoes . Today's Pictures I have an early Happy Fence Friday panorama that shows the Lava Butte Lookout Tower and part of the magnificent 360-degree view from the lip of the butte. We could not get enough of the jaw-dropping vistas we made our way around the edge of Lava Butte's 160-foot deep crater. What a totally staggering and memorable experience! Today's Insets The first inset shows the ruler-straight I-5 highway which is seen in the main picture's panorama. This highway is the west coast's most important vehicular corridor and travels all the way from Mexico to Canada! It was really cool to stand and stare at this view and think about the importance of this transportation artery to our country's infrastructure. I enjoy seeing our world's "chess pieces", and the I-5 highway is one of them. My second inset shows a "lava pebble" in a pretty setting with trees and sky behind. Next was a surprise! I thought this was a darling chipmunk at first glance until I realized that it had no stripes on its face--that's not a chipmunk at all! It's a Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel! Can you say cute? :D Finally, the last two insets show two more lovely views from our trip around the top of the Lava Butte cinder cone. Spring has sprung here with our remarkable showing of "all four seasons in one day"…rain, threatening snow flurries, warm sunny afternoons, armies of clouds, crazy wind and hail…we have it all! I really hope that everyone is doing well! Please stay safe, dry and warm! Explored on 3/18/21; highest placement #9.

(+5 insets!) (Please view large, it's worth it!) :) Mind-Blowing Landscapes Do you sometimes have a hard time dealing with your pictures because they show such incredible views? There are some days when the sky is so beautiful that any picture you take is incredible. There are some places that are so staggering that you could close your eyes and click the shutter release at anything and every picture would be amazing. When you have jaw-dropping skies combined with unbelievable scenery, the combination can cause a meltdown! Our visit to Newberry National Volcanic Monument was just that sort of experience. It was hard to choose which pictures to process and which to leave out, but I tried for picks which weren't too similar. I am sure you know what I'm talking about! It's been a terrible struggle but here's today's batch. Today's Main Picture The main image today shows a panoramic view from the road that leads to the top of Lava Butte. It was absolutely amazing to see this eerie, incredible sight as we made our way up the hill to the lip of the caldera and lookout tower. Happily, the road was closed to vehicular traffic--it would have been miserable to deal with bunches of tourists driving up and leaving us to deal with choking car fumes in the heat. Today's Insets The first inset has a story to go with it. As Steve and I stopped, yet again, to take in the vista on our walk up, we noticed movement on the road. Eyes goggling, we saw that it was a cyclist…heading up this steep grade (about 10%) in the glowing heat of the late morning. We stared at each other…it was Insanity! As the rider eventually passed by, huffing and puffing like a properly-cared for engine, we congratulated him on the impressive effort. At the same time we couldn't help wondering what demon possessed him to climb this steep hill. Our amazement was eclipsed later when we headed back down an hour later and saw him climbing the hill…AGAIN! He was so fit that he spoke to us as he chuffed by, saying he does this three times in a row for training, three times a week! Incredible!! He wasn't the only one either. We saw several other cyclists making their way up to the top, and others who abandoned their bikes on the way, clearly misjudging the challenge of this monstrous hill. I will say that when it comes to a challenging bike ride, this is not what I'd want to do. Long-distance works for me but crazy climbs are not my thing, and especially not in the heat. UGH!! :D Other insets show the brick-red road and hillside, a view of the lookout tower as we walked up the hill, and a crazy panorama that shows the lookout tower and the magnificent view from the lip of the caldera. Finally, a peek through the trees to see a view of the Cascade mountains in the distance. I hope everyone is doing well! Stay safe, dry and warm! :) Explored on 3/16/21; highest placement #8.

(+7 insets!) (Please view large! :) A Quick Pitstop Home From Part 1 of our Covid Trip After returning from the first part of our "Covid Summer" RV trip, we spent a couple of weeks at home while Steve updated some things on the truck and trailer along with replenishing our supplies. We had our reservations set up for the next couple of months and were delighted to be pulling out again and heading back to a favorite campground! Part 2, Stop #1: LaPine State Park Our first stop of Part Two of our Covid Summer RV Trip was a favorite of ours--LaPine State Park! The campground is surrounded by miles of trails that are super for biking, hiking, horseback riding or just going for a stroll. They lead through the alpine desert forest and meander along the Deschutes River. Past huge Ponderosa Pines, along streams and even a waterfall! The campground has three large loops with 120 sites and yet the solitude is just a short walk away. We love this place so much! (the map for our trip is posted so you can see where we went) LaPine is Mere Moments from Newberry National Volcanic Monument! This area of Oregon has ancient geologic significances and just 15 minutes away from our campsite is the sprawling remnants of the Newberry Volcano. Seated in the vast Deschutes Forest (covering a staggering 1.8 million acres), the Newberry National Volcanic Monument is contained within just 86 square miles and is an outdoor lover's paradise! Trails for everyone, lakes for fishing and recreational sports, and of course, for anyone interested in volcanos, this place is a treasure trove! Today's Main Picture I have several posts' worth of pictures to share from this jaw-dropping place. First up is a view from the top of Lava Butte, which also shows the yawning caldera and the incredible view that shows a series of mountains in the distance. Today's Insets I have two panoramas which include the main image and shows more of the caldera along with the gorgeous view. I also have a closer view of the mountains that we couldn't get enough of. Next, as we stood gaping all around us, I noticed a toy-sized train making its way through ancient lava fields and past a lake. I've also posted a flower picture: walking back down the steep, spiraling road that leads up to the top of Lava Butte, I was totally surprised to see a cluster of bright pink Dwarf Monkeyflowers! I've never seen this type of flower away from boggy, wet environments and was totally amazed they were growing in dry lava-rich soil. Finally, another cool thing from the butte was the interpretive lava trail located far below us. Paved and accessible by wheelchair, this trail has signs posted along the way to explain the history of the volcanic events that occurred long ago. I have a picture of the area and another one which shows the trail that's highlighted in pink. Stay tuned for lots of pictures from our walk there…what a knockout spot! (I've also included two pictures of Lava Butte that I posted some time ago and the map of Part Two) Spring Forward! The time changed to Daylight Savings last night and though I'd normally be totally exhausted from losing an hour, I never set my bedroom clock back to "Fall Back" time--I don't have much adjusting to do, hooray! :) Steve, on the other hand, looks like a confused groundhog blinking in the light as he stumbles around trying to make sense of the world! :D I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe! Hooray for Spring!!! Flowers are popping out everywhere and each day brings us closer to our 2021 RV Trip! YAY! Explored on 3/14/21; highest placement #3.

Family Gathering at Tugman State Park! After a thankfully brief stay at the Heceta RV Glorified Parking Lot , we returned to William Tugman State Park. Our plan to meet up with Steve's sister Deanne and her two grown kids, Reese and Kieran, was coming to fruition! We had Deanne to thank for rattling our cage back in June and alerting us that Oregon's state parks were open to camping again. In fact, as a long-time camper of over 20 years, she'd mentioned many times that we should try to do something together. It was really cool that we were finally able to make it happen. We enjoyed their company in the park with shared meals (masks and distancing as well), hikes, and Steve took Deanne's 2-person kayak out for individual rides on Eel Lake with Deanne, Reese and me. Sitting around the campfire in the evening was really nice too, though eventually it did get cold enough that we'd pack it in for the night. The End of Part One of our Covid Summer Trip The last day of our visit with Deanne and her family also meant the end of the first part of our RV trip too. We needed to get home to upgrade a number of things on the trailer and truck, with two weeks planned at home before our next reservation at LaPine State Park. Driving home that day, Steve and I chatted about the success of our trip. We loved relaxing and enjoying ourselves everywhere we went. Photography, reading, bike rides and hikes, strolling with Pumpkin--what a delight! Delicious meals, picnic lunches, and special deserts too, it was so nice. There were even boat rides and fishing! Health-wise, it started off a little bumpy--Steve hurt his knee just before we left and it took time to heal--and later I developed a very sore foot that was still bothering me as we returned home--but we managed to stay away from people and still had a fabulous time! Because of our RV, we could still travel amidst a pandemic! We were so happy!! Both of us were excited to get out on the road again, so pleased with our wonderful "home on wheels"! Today's Pictures Yet another set of pictures from William Tugman State Park, today's main image shows a tattered and munched pair of leaves from a Trillium plant. You can see the developing seeds in the golden pod which hovers over the left leaf, and if you look at the large size of this picture you'll see a tiny fly sitting on top of the pod! In fact, I didn't notice this little guy until I was processing the picture! Insets include a rainbow-hued fern leaf and a lovely, variegated clover leaf that lost one of its three parts. Then there's an amanita mushroom with its wonderful crumbly topping. Next you'll see a pair of Indian Pipe Fungus pictures that I captured with my macro lens and neglected to include in the post I made a couple of weeks back (I've added these to the display, which you can see by clicking here ). Last but not least, I have a picture of a hoverfly on a Cat's Ear flower! I hope everyone is doing well…I'm pretty nervous about another explosion of virus as people begin to drop any proper conduct with the vaccine's getting out, but let's cross our fingers! Stay safe, warm and dry! :) Explored on 3/11/21; highest placement #17.

(+7 insets) Learning a Lesson About Popular Destinations During Covid Steve and I figured tourist spots had plenty of visitors but we weren't prepared for the zoo of crazy idiots out there at Heceta Head Lighthouse. However, in the end it turned out fine. I got a real eye-opener for what Steve went through every time he did our errands and shopping and we got the reward of seeing this cool lighthouse and awesome coastline. We even got to see colonies of cormorants and common murres hanging out on their huge rock! Today's Picture As we drove away from the "plague zone", we made sure to pull off at the lookout which showed the lighthouse and guesthouse seated in their beautiful settings nestled along the magnificent coastline. Looking north showed the view I shared a couple of days ago, and looking south is the view I'm showing today. What a jaw-dropping scene! There's even a peek at a little lake just inland from the coast, which has a loop hike for those who are interested. Us? We were ready to get back to our home on wheels, though we did stop at the grocery store on the way back. (I decided to go into the store to see what that was like …not recommended! Scary people being rude and stupid! :D However, I wanted to know what Steve went through and came out of the store with even more respect for what he does for us every time we need supplies.) Today's Insets The first picture is another view north that shows the lighthouse and guesthouse off in the distance but this shot shows a secluded beach without anyone on it. I thought that was interesting because the beach closer to the lighthouse is just around the next outcropping and there were people everywhere! Goes to show--no matter how crowded an area may be, if you add any challenge, only the most resolute will go. In this case it was zero! The next three insets show the guesthouse, which was originally one of a pair of lighthouse keeper's quarters. Built in 1900 to house the lightkeepers, the second house was razed in the '30's when only one keeper was needed. The last keeper moved away in 1963 when the lighthouse became automated, and from 1973-95, the house became a satellite campus for nearby Lane College. The U.S. Forestry Service then decided to turn the house into a bed-and-breakfast as a way to incorporate tourism and also generate funds for the ongoing upkeep of this historical landmark. I'm also including another picture of the beautiful forested road up to the lighthouse and its pretty fencing There's an image of the pair of giant rocks jutting from the sea, and isn't it interesting that one rock was packed with birds and the other was not? Finally, while snapping away with my Sony, zoomed in as close as I could, I managed to get a fun picture of a Common Murre flying in with a fish for its hungry family! I'd like to apologize that I've fallen behind in my commenting--projects abound as we get closer to leaving on our next trip! However, I really appreciated every one of your comments and favorites! I hope all is well with everyone. Spring is showing its face around here with greenery popping up everywhere and the season's first blossoms! Please stay safe, dry and warm! Explored on 3/8/21; highest placement #2.

(+8 insets!) From William Tugman State Park to Heceta Head RV Park We'd planned to stay at William Tugman State Park for a full 14 days if it was possible, but unfortunately, we had to leave and come back after four days. Steve's sister would be staying at Tugman the next week so we needed to find a place to stay for a couple of days. Though we looked high and low for reservations at nearby state parks, nothing was available so we gritted our teeth and booked two days at the Heceta RV Park. It was reasonable enough but private campgrounds are almost always glorified parking lots that make visitors feel like a sardine in a can. Windy, foggy and cold, the trees would whip back and forth each morning when I looked out, condensation on the branches dropping noisily onto the roof of our RV. My frigid walks were only around the packed grounds and though I did see some nice flowers in planters, I couldn't bring myself to take any pictures there. Happily, the sun came out by late morning and one day we decided to go for a drive and visit a famous lighthouse in the area. However, upon pulling into the packed parking lot we realized it may have been a mistake to visit a popular landmark… Heceta Head Lighthouse and Horrible People Even though it was July, I hadn't been around people since Covid hit--Steve had made all of the shopping trips since the virus changed everything. Climbing out of the truck and donning my mask, I was about to be in for a total shock. There was a lovely winding road that led up through coastal forest, past a historic guest house and out to the light house. This turned out to be a popular walk--too popular. Whenever we encountered people--which was often--we slipped on our masks, but to our amazement, most didn't wear them and stated their opinion by staring rudely as if we were space aliens. People often didn't observe distancing and dropped snarky comments in reply to Steve's remarks about reasonable precautions. I couldn't believe it! Steve had told me about the many situations he'd had in stores but to find the same thing out here…I was stunned! The lighthouse was really cool, and so was the guesthouse. I really enjoyed seeing flocks of cormorants and common murres covering one of the prominent rocks that rose out of the sea next to the lighthouse, and the views up and down the coast were breathtaking. Before leaving, we walked out to take a look at the beach below the lighthouse which was another pretty sight. However, by the time we got back to the truck I was totally fried by the experience of callous, unprotected people and fairly dove into the protective safety of the car. I was amazed that Steve had to deal with this every time he went out. I mean, it was one thing to imagine it. But being immersed was totally different and I sat there as we drove away, trying to get a grip on myself again. Part of me felt like such a baby because I was so freaked-out by this but on the other hand, it was the first time since Covid hit that I'd been around any strangers. I had a right to be jittery. But as I sat thinking, all of it made me feeling very reflective and uncomfortable about the average American and how they seemed to view the virus. Were most people truly that stupid? Before we left the area, we pulled over to take pictures of the lighthouse and guesthouse from afar, with the jutting coastline and beautiful beach. What a view!! Today's Pictures My main picture was the iconic view from the pullout--what a pretty sight that was! I'm also including a view of the forest on the walk up the road and another one showing the lighthouse. I have a picture that shows the beach below the lighthouse--both from the road and the beach itself. There's also an image of the bird-covered rock and a couple of close-ups to see the colonies of birds and finally, a funny-looking cormorant as it was landing. (I'm also including another trip map so you can see where we were on our trip.) I'll have one more set of pictures to share of this place, since there were just too many to share in one presentation! I hope everyone is having--or had--a very nice weekend! Stay safe and here's hoping you get your vaccine soon! Explored on 3/6/21; highest placement #2.

(+6 insets!) My Last Presentation (for this trip) From William Tugman State Park I've gotten to share so many pictures from our visit--in fact, there were too many wonderful finds to process! This lush, beautiful area was just brimming with photo opportunities and I hope that you've gotten the general idea of this pretty park. It was such a nice place to stay, relax, and enjoy forest and lake views. Happily, we will be back this year so I'll be taking brand new pictures! My favorite parks all have wonderful morning walks that take me away from other campers and allow me to enjoy the solitude of nature and a pretty trail that follows the meandering contours through forest and alongside lakes, rivers, or out to an ocean beach. I dearly love getting the chance to explore different terrain and its flora and fauna. However, I enjoy strolling through campgrounds too, glimpsing the individual campsite stories and the temporary residents. It's a unique opportunity to see people out on vacation--from a single person to multiple families--including their pets and all of the stuff they bring with them. I'm quite the recluse but fascinated by people and their behavior so I love having the chance to see folks doing their thing as I walk by and soak up the details. My Main Picture I found this backlit dandelion peering out at Eel Lake one morning and knew it would be a fun picture to share--and I was right! :) I got lucky with that lens flare in the sea of bokeh, which shows the nine shutter blades of my 100mm 2.8L macro lens! Today's Insets The first pair of pictures show a side and front view of a lemon-colored Monkey Flower, and if you look closely at the front view you'll see a tiny insect crawling along the right-side edge! The second pair of pictures features a Yellowjacket Wasp feasting on the nectar of a Queen Anne's Lace. Next is a fossil-like image that shows a leaf that was once wet and stuck to the mud. The mud then dried and people walked over this leaf, slowly breaking off bits as it disintegrated and became one with the hard clay path. I couldn't stop looking at this whenever I passed by and finally got a picture to share. I'm so glad because I think it's so cool! Finally, a parting trail picture which shows a pair of red cedar trees shading the path. I hope everyone is doing well with vaccinations on the horizon. For us, it looks like JULY unfortunately but no worries--we're staying safe and being careful! Take care and stay warm and dry! Explored on 3/3/21; highest placement #3.

(+5 insets!) A Change of Scenery is Something We'll Never Take For Granted Again! Who knew that the whole world would be subject to quarantines and being locked up in our houses for weeks and months on end? I know that some of you have had it much worse in this regard and I feel terrible for those who have only rarely set foot outside their homes since Covid reared its ugly and ever-mutating head. It is the greatest fortune that we are able to travel without much fear, bringing our home on wheels with us as we explore the lovely state parks of Oregon. We don't feel comfortable leaving the state in case we needed to get home quickly but we are not left wanting! There is an endless wealth of stunning beauty in every direction, from craggy coasts to snowy peaks, deep forest to desert (alpine and arid), temperate rainforest to rolling meadows, and so much more. Oregon is touted for its amazing landscapes and jaw-dropping scenery and it is such a joy to explore this state! I'm down to the last two presentations from our trip to William Tugman State Park, though to be honest, I had to force myself to stop processing pictures--there are just so many more I could share! What a marvelous place for photography! Today's Pictures On the long hike around the east side of Eel Lake and through the forest, Steve pointed out a wild cucumber plant with it's wonderful vines and tendrils. What luck to find the sun shining on a particularly awesome display of the ever-reaching grasp of tendrils shown alongside corkscrew curls. I'm also sharing pictures of a russet-colored slug that I found near the lake's edge and got a nice portrait too! There's a picture of a hoverfly on a California Figwort, a white Hawkweed blossom showing one in seed behind, and another trail picture too. Enjoy! I hope that everyone is able to travel freely as the months trudge by and vaccinations become more widespread. I don't know if life will ever return to the way it used to be but we can hope and maybe all of us can find a way to get out there and enjoy our amazing planet. Stay safe!! Explored on 2/28/21; highest placement #1.

(+9 insets!) On the Hunt for Fungus! You probably know that one of my favorite finds are mushrooms, and it's always something I'm looking for whenever I go on a macro stroll. It took a while to find any while we were at Tugman but eventually I hit pay dirt! Slowing down to a creep, I discovered mushrooms peeping out from beds of moss, attached to logs and even peering down at me from lofty heights on tree trunks. I even found an American yellow fly agaric , the blond version of my bucket list mushroom, the Amanita muscaria . It was easy enough to find various species of shelf fungus, and at one point I discovered a huge one right next to the trail that was bristling with droplets. Eying the beads of moisture closely, I couldn't help but ponder…those aren't dew drops, so what are they? Those Droplets are called Guttation and They Occur in Plant Species Too! This moisture oozes out of many types of fungus at times of rapid growth with proper temperature and humidity. They can be clear or tinted with colors from yellow to blood red. Some mushrooms use this guttation to create a protective slime that makes them glossy in appearance (I iincluded a picture of a Cowboy Mushroom found on our property, and it's a clickable link with many insets) In plant species, guttation happens at night when the pressure of excess water in roots forces moisture out of the leaves. This will ring a bell to you when you think about leaves that have beads of water perfectly arranged around the edge of a leaf! I always wondered how dew could have formed so perfectly that way…and now I know that it wasn't dew at all! This article is brimming with awesome photography and a lot more information about guttation, which I encourage you to read and enjoy! Read it and Weep: Fungal Guttation Immortalized Before Being Mutilated The two pictures of this lovely bracket fungus turned out to be very fortunate timing. Located along the longer Eel Lake trail, Steve and I had admired this prominently positioned fungus each time we passed and when I came back with my macro lens I got the pictures I'm sharing today. A couple of days later we made our successful hike to the end of the trail and back, and admired the eye-level bracket fungus on the way in. On the way back we encountered a very noisy group of kids headed our way, led by an obnoxious young adult. Disturbing the peace of the forest, they yelled back and forth and none of which were observing safe distancing. We noticed that the leader had a knife and was looking around and cutting things off trees. A while after we passed by, I noticed a bracket fungus with a huge section sliced off its bottom. Wait. THAT WAS THE BEAUTIFUL SHELF BRACKET I'D PHOTOGRAPHED! Suddenly it hit me--that jerk was mutilating everything he found of interest along the trail! That explained the branches, bits of mushroom and fungus we kept finding littered along the path as we made our way back. What a shame. What a jerk. But I did get these pictures for all of us to enjoy! Fungus Insets Galore! I'm including images of the wonderful mushrooms I've processed from our trip to William Tugman State Park and I hope you enjoy the show (I also added the few I put on earlier trip posts too) I hope all of you are doing well, keeping safe, dry and warm! Explored on 2/26/21; highest placement #4.

(+5 insets) Eel Lake Hikes: The Short and the Long There were two trails walkable from the William Tugman State Park campground: the short 1.1 mile one I walked every morning went around part of the west edge of Eel Lake. The other one was a proper hike of 6.6 miles out and back along the eastern side. We only managed to walk to the very end once due to injuries and timing, but it was a fantastic trail that we look forward to enjoying again on our next visit. The experience was equally spectacular to the shorter daily walk but six times longer! :D (If you'd like to read about this awesome hike, I found a page that has pictures and lots of information: Oregon Hikers: Eel Lake Hike Our first trip on the longer trail took us only about half way before Steve's sore knee had us turning around but we did get far enough that I found these incredible Indian Pipe Fungus plants! We stared in amazement as I took a few pictures of this strange and beautiful fungus...or...plant? WHAT ARE THESE THINGS?! This is Not a Fungus...it's a Flower! Growing out of the ground very much like a fungus, I stared in confusion at these growths, wondering what they were. Honestly, their ghostly color made them look like some sort of strange mushroom, but…they didn't have gills or the spongy quality of a fungus. I couldn't help but scratch my head about this odd find. Hopping onto the internet, I soon learned discovered that these things are flowering plants, not fungus! They grow only in deep forest, erupting from the ground on a single spike, producing one bell-shaped flower which is pollinated by small bumblebee and fly species. They have no chlorophyll and thus, don't depend on photosynthesis for energy. Instead, Indian Pipe Fungus get their energy from fungus! Now there's a switch--they are parasites! Also known as Ghost Plants (Monotropa uniflora) , these extremely delicate plants take about three days to erupt from the ground, flower and die, succumbing quickly to the damaging effects of sunlight. In fact, it was difficult to find any that weren't dried up or in the process of turning black. These odd plants can be found in North, Central and northern South America, and also Asia. They have been used as an herbalist remedy with calming effects and are said to taste a bit like asparagus for those who can't resist eating one. If you'd like more information about these mycoheterotrophs , there's a page on Wiki but also this nice page on a gardening website. Gardening Know How: Indian Pipe Fungus Wikipedia: Indian Pipe Fungus I hope you are all having a very nice week! It's been amazingly beautiful for us and sunny outside--yay for getting exercise and vitamin D! Explored on 2/25/21; highest placement #1.

(+5 insets!) Keep Your Eyes Open: You Never Know What You'll Find! Steve and I spent an absolutely wonderful week at William Tugman State Park and every morning I started it with a walk on the 1.1 mile trail around the edge of Eel Lake. What a gorgeous trail--it had everything! A lovely view of the lake, a meandering, well-maintained trail that meandered through a deep forest along its edge, four cool foot bridges to cross, and so much flora and fauna along the way! I only took my camera with me a few times but it was a good thing I warned Steve that I'd left the trailer with one because without fail I took twice as long to get back because I kept finding fabulous subjects to capture! Today's Pictures When I was returning from the end of the path where it terminates at a bench overlooking Eel Lake, I saw a bright red flash on a branch. Taking a closer look, I discovered a pretty hair clip adorned with a red bow. Apparently a little girl had lost it while frolicking and somebody else came along and clipped it onto a branch when they found it laying on the trail. Then I arrived and recognized the opportunity for a cool picture! Huzzah! :) Today's Insets I'm sharing another trail shot, a lovely wild grass head festooned with pollen, and two ripening thimbleberries in the center of their perfect star-shaped sepals; I'm also including a very cool sight: what looks like a flower is actually the opened and ripening seed pod of a Trillium. Finally, you'll see the shadow-play that I saw in my bedroom one morning before I rolled up the blind. I am often mesmerized by this show if we happen to be positioned where the shadows of a bush or tree are cast on my window shade. The shadows will often move back and forth, sometimes changing shape and paralyzing me as I enjoy the show. Thank You! I really can't tell you exactly how nice it feels that you have all been enjoying my pictures so much. It makes me feel so giddy! It's my wish to make you smile, feel surprised, make you think, present you with something new or transport you away from troublesome thoughts. If I can do that, I feel that I've been successful, and when you let me know…I just can't help but beam from ear to ear! Thanks so much. And the visits to your streams take me on amazing trips around the world and into your hearts, expressed by your photography. It's a pretty cool relationship we have, isn't it?! You're all terrific. :) Have a great day and please stay safe and healthy!! Explored on 2/22/21; highest placement #3.

(+5 insets!) Today's Quick Post: Get Closer! My main picture today is one of those cool lessons you discover about macro photography. This dead fern frond is something most wouldn't notice. Why? It's dead. Furthermore, the color conditions us to ignore it because we've learned that brown plants = dead = boring. But if you get close to a dead plant, you'll often be greeted by a surprise like this one: new and interesting detail that you've never noticed before! Macro photography has taught me that even the most supposedly boring subjects can actually be extremely interesting and memorable! I now make sure to study all parts of a plant--both live and dead--because you never know what fantastic surprises lay in wait! :) Today's Pictures I'm featuring the other fern pictures I processed from my walk around the edge of Eel Lake at William Tugman State Park. I've also included a wonderful dead leaf with dramatic coloring and an interesting shape which I couldn't resist. :) I hope you are all doing great and have a lovely weekend in store! Explored on 2/20/21; highest placement #2.