A Full-time Life

Category: Oregon

A WALK ON THE WILDER SIDE

Really not very wild at all, but the path where I took a long walk last week is about as wild as we get these days. The area around this section of the river path is a little less-developed than the part closer to our home.

I drove about a mile and a half to a parking lot to start this walk . So it is really sort of within walking distance, but then I'd be too tired to actually do the nature part by the time I got there. Which would definitely spoil the purpose.

The path goes along the Willamette River and some of the ponds created when old gravel pits were reclaimed by the City. The river bike/walk path system and the Delta Ponds are definitely two of the best things about Eugene.

The usual ducks — and lots of them. But for some reason they didn't want to swim very close to the people path.

Great Blue Heron

Western Pond Turtles

So many turtles! They were everywhere. I counted over twenty on one log.

American Coot

The weather has been lovely. March went out just the way it came in — like a lamb. We are thankful for that! In the "tamer" neighborhoods around home, more Spring flowers bloom every day. We continue to enjoy our first real Spring-like Spring in many years. (Because we've been in Florida and Florida is different.)

Tulip Magnolia

(This one is at our daughter's and son-in-law's home.)

LINKING THIS WEEK to the following sharing opportunities:

MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; SIGNS SIGNS;   THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING

April 4, 2021
OFFICIALLY SPRING

We've been enjoying Spring-like weather for at least a couple of weeks. but the season officially started on March 20. Here's what the first week of Spring looked like around here:

In our neighborhood on the paths to the river, trees are beginning to bud out, forsythia and Oregon grape are spots of sunshine, and early rhododendrons are blossoming. We can pretend this is the first robin of spring — even though these birds never leave this area, so they really aren't a reliable sign of the season.

Common Merganser

And on the river on one perfect afternoon last week there was what seemed like a convention of ducks. I've never seen this many different species in one small part of the Willamette.

Lesser Scaup

There was a small rapids area and a river island near where they all were — and honestly it seemed like all the different ducks were floating around in perfect harmony — just enjoying the beautiful day.

There were at least two additional species I didn't get a picture of and the usual Canada geese in there too. Gotta' love it when everybody can just get along!

On another lovely day we went for one of our favorite kind of mini-roadtrips:

Yup, narrow winding roads are the most fun. We've been on lots that were narrower and windier, but whoever it is that decides drivers need constant reminding was vigilant on this one — the same sign kept appearing every two miles for about fifteen of them!

You don't have to go too far to get away from the city in this area and there are lots of country roads to explore. That's something to be grateful for in our opinion.

Daffodils are lasting longer than they do some years since we've had no heavy rains. I remember from a long time ago that they sometimes would be gone before the season really officially began. I'm glad this is a good year and I'm grateful for all the signs of Spring. (Except maybe the pollen. Achoo. Our covid masks do double duty on some days.)

Linking to the following sharing opportunities: Thank you to all of the hosts.

MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; WILD BIRD Wednesday; SIGNS SIGNS;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING

March 28, 2021
PANDEMIC, SEASON 2

A year ago this week I wrote about the first day of Spring and how it was different in Florida.

This is a mixed bouquet of Florida and Oregon Spring flowers. Mostly Oregon. I really do miss seeing the usual Spring beauties when we're in subtropical Florida and so this was much the same thing I've mentioned every year since we've spent the season away from the Pacific Northwest. I’m grateful to get to see them again. In that first-of-Spring post last year, I mentioned worry about Covid but the news still didn't seem quite real.

But just a week later, my post talked about how we were going to head home to Oregon immediately, much earlier than we'd planned. We had begun to understand how serious the threat was and we felt we'd be safer there. Things moved fast.

It was a long way back to Oregon, but we were fortunate to be able to travel in the safest way possible.

We both enjoy road-trips so even under less than ideal conditions the first couple of weeks of "Pandemic: Season One" were interesting and actually kind of fun. We made the 3100+ mile trip faster than we have ever driven cross-country.

We were grateful to be home and safe and we still feel we made the right decision.

But it's been a year now and Pandemic is getting just a little tiresome. We hope it gets cancelled for good before this season is over.

Meanwhile, we are looking forward to enjoying more of our first Oregon Spring in many years. And to a beautiful Oregon summer — a season we have always spent in Oregon. I hope this one is more like normal summers here (before last year).

LINKING TO the following with thanks to the hosts:

MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; and FRIDAY BLISS;

March 21, 2021
MARCHING ON

Not a lot of pictures from last week, but much to be thankful for. I'm glad for the return to Daylight Savings Time and look forward to late afternoon and evening walking time.

East Bank Willamette River Walk, March 2021

Our weather stays mild with little rain (that may not be entirely a good thing, but it is hard not to appreciate beautiful days).

I managed this too-far-away-shot of what I think are Greater Scaup. I know at least that they are different ducks from the usual Mallards. So that was definitely a good thing.

Neighborhood path to the river

We have stayed pretty close to home lately because we wanted to be able to jump quickly on any Covid vaccine appointment that came up through the County's pre-registration list. We will be able to cancel our names from that long wait-list, because Bill put his talents to work and found us appointments as soon as the vaccine became available to area pharmacies. One down last week, one more this week and then our two second doses in a couple of weeks. Closer-to-normal is on the horizon and I am grateful, in so many ways.

Meanwhile, I am thankful for life-as-usual, which is really not so bad at all, except without travel pictures.

There are quite a few ways to walk to the River from where we live. The last picture above this collage is one of those. That path winds through a lovely neighborhood. The collage is the not-so-lovely view from a different path. Not so pretty, but the quickest way to get there. The highway construction project pictured includes the building of a sound wall. Whenever I walk this way, I see birds and wildlife in the weedy area along the bank between the path and the wall construction. It's been kind of interesting to watch the project move along but the better part is always seeing birds. They don't seem to be bothered by the construction noise. I'm thankful for that. And also thankful that our home is not along the path. I'm sure the people who do live there will be grateful when the wall is completed.

Not an alligator

I may have been thinking about Florida as I walked because this fallen log reminded me of a sleeping alligator. Something we won't ever see here in Oregon. I don't exactly miss alligators, but I am glad I've had the chance to live where they do. But for this year during this pandemic — and for many reasons — I'm quite happy to be here in alligator-free Oregon.

LINKING this week to the following: Thank you to the hosts.

MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; and SATURDAY CRITTERS;

March 14, 2021
IN LIKE A LAMB

If it is possible to OD on daffodils I plead guilty. I stop to admire them and take pictures on every walk. And on every country drive, in every park and almost in every yard.

It's a harmless addiction, unless you count the sudden stops made on those country roads. And anyway, there's a good excuse because this is the first time in years that we've been in daffodil country in March.

I wouldn't trade the decades of winters and springs we've spent in sunny climes for anything. But the beautiful early Spring flowers have been a gift in this year when staying home was our safer and happier option.

And the winter weather here in our part of Oregon has really not been all that hard to take. Not nearly as rainy and gray as we remember. March definitely came in like a lamb with a beautiful sunny day and only a couple of partly rainy days last week. I've read a lot about places where it came in like a lion and therefore (hopefully) will go out like a lamb. But here in the Pacific Northwest, we've always heard the opposite version of that old proverb. There's actually a fact-based reason for that.

Not my picture (I wish it were). Google public domain

Here is information from CNN Weather:

Some may be familiar with a reverse version of the proverb: "March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion."

This "reverse" of the proverb is hard to trace in its origin, but definitely makes sense if you consider those who traveled westward with the American expansion to Western states.

These western states can have incredible temperature swings this month as the polar jet stream moves from it's preferred position near Canada over the winter to a more southerly route during the spring. This tends to cause many states in the Western US to experience some of their heavier snowfalls from the end of March and into April — thus the lion (and the harsh weather it represents) coming at the end of the month.

I hope the proverb comes true for those who got the lion last week — and that it doesn't for those of us who got the lamb.

Just the usual suspects when it came to birds last week. I heard and saw a lot more species. Spring activity is picking up even here in the city, but pictures are hard to get. I've been trying to remember that just observing birds used to be enough to make me happy. Now I'm a little disappointed if I don't get a picture.

Thankful to be safe and well and enjoying this seasonal transition. It is almost a brand-new experience for us after all these years.

And thank you to the hosts of the following sharing opportunities, where I'm linking this week:

MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING

March 7, 2021
THE GIFT OF FEBRUARY SUNSHINE

The weather forecast for last week called for rain and flooding, but here in our corner of the Willamette Valley we were instead blessed with sunshine and blue skies most days and very little rain.

One morning, we went for a ride through the pretty farm country west of town to the small town of Junction City and then on BLM roads through the surrounding hills down into a coastal valley.

Bill likes to drive these curvy mountain roads. We probably drove about 40 miles in this backcountry and in 4 hours did not see a single other car or person. There are a lot of places like this around our area. I do think about how easy it would be to be lost and have to admit that I checked to see if there was cell service. (There was. I guess nowadays it wouldn't be as easy.)

The drive was really a long-way round to the farm (otherwise known as our daughter and son-in-law's home.) We stopped to look at the migrating pelicans on Kirk Pond — the wild area that is within walkable distance of their house. Most of them were on the other side of the water, but these three were nice enough to swim closer to the shore.

A quick tour around their backyard on this blue-sky late February day. Spring is on the way (although the groundhog did see his shadow here, so we hedge our bets).

Tree watch, late February

Stellar Jay, Scrub Jay, and Common crow.

Three different (noisy) birds all enjoyed the same blue sky in the same winter tree.

We brought a few branches of these harbingers of Spring home. (There are pictures of the pussy willow tree in last week's post — the tree has branches to spare.)

Sunny February days are a gift here in Oregon. Thankful for blue sky days and the time to enjoy them.

Linking this week to the following sharing opportunities. Thank you to the hosts.

MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING

February 28, 2021
BEAUTIFULLY BLUE

Blue skies are always welcome — especially in late February. And especially when much of the rest of the country and even much of our State is under severe weather watch. But in truth blue skies don't always make the most interesting pictures.

On one day last week though, the blue skies were as intriguing as they were welcome. It's rare that I can't stop taking pictures of a blue sky. It's usually just "there" and unchanging. On this day though these clouds just scudded across the sky painting pretty patterns as they traveled.

All these sky pictures were taken from one small area in the "way-back" of our daughter and son-in-laws home. It was kind of a chilly day (for here). The scrub jay didn't mind the cold. His blue color doesn't show up against the sky as much as it would on a gray day.

And I got this wonderful surprise that I almost didn't notice while sky-watching. These are the first pussy willows I've seen in years. We've spent February in warmer climates since the turn of the century* when we sold our Oregon home to travel. *(I've always wanted to use that phrase!)  And very early spring flowers don't bloom in sub-tropical climates.

It hasn't even rained hard enough to knock down the daffodils . These first-of- the-year flowers are always kind of a gamble. Way back (yup, back in the last century) when we gardened, they were my favorite flowers of all just because they are so welcome. But hard rains can decimate them quickly. We have been very very lucky in our weather this year. So far, at least. Family and friends remind me that in the past year or two (while we were away) our valley had a snowfall on the first day of Spring. We're grateful for every blue sky day!

Here in our present Oregon backyard, there are no flowers blooming yet, but the red-bellied sapsucker keeps us entertained most mornings when we're at home. (Of course I pretend to be sure it is always the same one — really, we never do see more than one.)

My bird book says that in addition to enjoying sap from the trees, these birds feed on insects extracted from the bark. And that helps to keep down the number of boring-type insects that destroy healthy trees. I hope that is true because Eugene needs trees! And this tree is right next to the one that gave up completely and fell down last year (this post from last September).

Linking this week to these sharing opportunities. Thank you to the hosts.

MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING

February 21, 2021
A MIXED BAG OF FEBRUARY

Happy Early Spring ???

Eugene Oregon February 6 2021

Our weather here in Eugene continues to be a mix of Autumn and Spring. We count our blessings. The early spring flowers above were seen in someone's yard last weekend when we took the long way home from an errand. (Someone who has a green thumb for sure!)

February 13 — the Black Walnut Tree

There was blue sky yesterday when we went to our daughter and son-in-laws. But the tree I've been watching is still definitely in Winter mode. And a good thing too, because there was a definite chill in the air. (For us anyway. Our grandson, who has been in Finland and is back in Oregon for now, was outside in a light sweater. It's all about what you're used to.)

I took these pictures of the Black Walnut Tree from outside, but there is almost the same view from their living room picture window. Parker was the only family member to pose for a picture yesterday. (Because I never remember to ask anybody to do so.)

Costa Rica 2017

Last week marked the Lunar New Year and it is the Year of the Ox. These two were operating historical presses as part of a sugar plantation tour. Happy (belated) New Year to all who celebrate.

February 14, 2021

We ordered a to-go breakfast this morning. The restaurant's only about a mile and a half away from home and just across one street and a parking lot to this view of the Willamette River where we parked and ate. A lovely way to enjoy a Valentine's Day treat and we didn't even have to wear masks.

Owens Rose Garden, Summer 2020

Here are a dozen roses for Valentine's Week. (Well, a dozen pictures — there seem to be a few extra blossoms in there somehow).

Whether you celebrate Winter or Spring, Lunar New Year or Valentine's Day, or just celebrate being alive –enjoy this coming week and all it brings. Thank you for visiting and special thanks to the hosts of these sharing opportunities:

MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY;   TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; and SATURDAY CRITTERS

February 14, 2021
A LITTLE BIT (of) BLUE

There was at least some blue sky and mid-day temperatures in the 50s all last week, so we remain pretty darn lucky here in Oregon during our Covid Winter.

A little blue sky on a River Walk, early February 2021

There's really no good reason to feel even a little bit blue — but I can't help wishing for some new things to blog about. Not being able to travel is a small price to pay for good health though. I know that many bloggers are doing memory posts these days and below are some of ours from past Februarys.

Mardi Gras Parade, Mobile Alabama February 2005

I got a kick out of this picture I found in the archives. It's practically ancient, all the way back to 2005, but it looks like the two guys in the back are wearing their masks correctly for 2020. Here is what I said in a blog post in 2010 about something that was already a memory by then:

Mobile Alabama Mardi Gras celebration in 2005. In the Pacific Northwest, we had Lent but we never got to celebrate for weeks leading up to it! We loved the parades.   It really is a wonderful community-wide party and more family-friendly than the better-known Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans. Mobile says that they celebrated it first and New Orleans stole the idea.

Next, a couple from Florida, where, until this year, we've spent February since 2011.

Penta Plant

From the Gardens at the Butterfly Park near our Canal Cottage. Perfect that this plant with all its little hearts blooms during Valentine's Month.

Lakeland is a birder's Paradise of a town. There are dozens of swans in the City's central Lake and this regal one was lovely to see on one of our explore-Florida trips in February 2014.

Below, it's back to Lane County Oregon (where we are again now) for this memory from Fern Ridge Lake. We used to stay at the Lake when we visited Oregon during the years we were living full time and traveling in our RV.

Most of the time, we were there only during parts of the summer and fall, but in 2010 we were at the lake in February. That year, we got to experience living along the almost dry Lake, which had been drained for the season (it is a flood control reservoir).

And now — back to the present day:

River Walks, early February 2021

It isn't just the sky that can't make up its mind around here — early spring plants are popping up, but the remains of Fall are evident at the same time. Some days it feels like Spring, some days like Fall. Not a lot of what most people would call Winter. And for that we are grateful. Cold weather takes a lot of getting used to when you've spent Winters in sub-tropical temperatures for over a decade.

LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities. Thank you to the hosts:

MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; and SATURDAY CRITTERS;

February 7, 2021
A GLORIOUS WINTER DAY

It is rainy and gray today and supposed to get cold toward the end of the week

but yesterday ….

Yesterday was glorious.

The beautiful weather caused us to reconsider our informal "we stay home on weekends" mantra. This time of year, it would be a shame to waste a blue sky day cooking and cleaning (or to be completely honest, doing nothing useful whatsoever.) And we knew it would rain again soon. So with no particular destination in mind, we drove out into the country northwest of Eugene. Through open farm country bordered in the distance by green hills and then over some woodsy back roads, and we found ourselves heading toward one of our favorite places, Alsea Falls.

Just a little unnamed waterfall.

We didn't stop because there were lots of cars in the parking lot (the reason we don't usually go out on weekends ever and especially nowadays). But we found a little waterfall not too far away – – and no people. A little waterfall and a little tiny bit of a walk.

A little further on, we passed several miles of a not-so-lovely scene:

Pictures taken January 23. 2021

I think they must mean they planted the sign! There was no sign of anything else at all having being planted on this clearcut. Or maybe they're coming back and the sign was put up in advance. It's certainly very early in the year to have had time to plant acres and acres of trees. (Not a fan of clear-cutting.)

We'll find out when the weather gets warmer, because we plan to spend more time in this area then. There were lots of interesting backroads to explore and if we come mid-week, we should even be able to walk into the big Falls.

Below is Alsea Falls taken in August a couple of years ago. It will be interesting to see how much water there is earlier in the season.

Alsea Falls, August 2019

I'm thankful that we were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine and know how lucky we are to be able to do that at the end of January. And I'm grateful that we live where we can enjoy such beautiful scenery on a day trip.

Thankful also to the hosts of the following sharing opportunities where I'm linking this week. And for everyone who visits.

MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; SIGNS SIGNS; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY; and FRIDAY BLISS;

January 24, 2021