PATTERNS: SOUL SOOTHING SIGHTS

Under the sea, the beautiful sea, mollusks live and die. Their shells break into tiny particles and become part of the sand. In some places the whiteness provided by these shells equip the tide with the tools required of any artist to paint patterns. Oceans, of course, have no such intent. But if they had, I believe it would look like the swirls produced by receding waves as they washed shell-laden sand around a large rock on the Pacific shore. 

Then consider where jig-saw puzzles come from. The tall Ponderosa Pine sheds outer layers of bark each Spring as it grows a bit in circumference. These small pieces about 1 - 2 inches across resemble pieces in any jig-saw puzzle box. If you are enamored of such puzzles, I would bet you would be hard pressed to walk under the Ponderosa Pine without wanting to solve a puzzle or two.

Mother Nature gives us patterns to delight our eyes, tickle our fancy, and sooth our soul. Take time to absorb the wondrous variety that abounds on your next hike.

PUT YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS

Celebrating the Summer Solstice brought me to the top of Mary's Peak here in Oregon. It is considered to be the highest spot in the Coast Range. The top is dressed in large rolling meadows filled with Field Chickweed which lures butterflies to linger. Walking to the top from the parking lot took me past rocky slopes filled with Broad Gentian, Indian Paintbrush, Spreading Phlox, Sand Dune Wallflowers, Sheep Sorrel, Yarrow and Larkspur with an occasional Daisy and Clover thrown in. The color was head-spinning, or was I dizzy due to the elevation? 

The two predominant butterflies were the Spring Azure and the Meadow Fritillary. Both were busy but did stop for a pix. 

There were skiffs of clouds scooting around the mountain tops with patches of blue showing through enough to kid ourselves about Summer's arrival. Oh well, it will come. Then we can all gear up, get out and enjoy the eye-popping vistas awaiting. Plan to put your head in the clouds and enjoy!

SOUL ROAD

On a recent trip to the Elliot State Forest I turned off I-5 south of Eugene onto Hwy 38. Warm sunshine filled the air bringing summer into the van. It seems like my favorite road is the one I am traveling on at any given time, but Hwy 38 is really my "soul road" since it takes me home. My belief is that we all have a "soul road".  On mine ditches and banks are lined with familiar vegetation. I know their names, their habits and their seasons. I think that is one of the hallmarks of home, to be on a first name basis with the vegetation.

Daisies bloomed in profusion spreading  blankets of white up the banks and across the meadows. Purple peas and yellow mustard were interspersed for contrast.

Stopping at the small boat ramp / park between Hwy 38 and the Umpqua River I was taken with the jewel box of a river. High tide had it moving quickly and thickly as it fled seaward. Colored as an emerald topped with a sprinkling of diamond white caps it reflected the blue sky above. No wonder I love it.

The elk were in their meadow between the hills and the highway. The females and yearlings played "follow the leader" through the tall meadow grasses. Further along the old bulls were lazing about right out from the viewing spot. You would think they got paid to do that. While there, I got the most wonderful pix of a Red-winged Blackbird.

You must have a "soul road" that you can visit this season. Don't miss the opportunity. We can only count on having today, right now, get going! You won't regret it!

BUZZARD: MAID OF THE LAND

I know most of us don't see the beauty possessed by Oregon's Turkey Vulture (Buzzard). But in the pix below that beauty is readily apparent as these two spread their six foot wings to capture the sun's rays. Perching high above the forest floor in the limbs of an old growth fir, the color and shine of their feathers is exhibited. Having just visited a small dammed-up creek, they had wet feathers. This is their "clothes line" method of getting dry.

As scavengers they are a useful resource keeping the forest floor cleaned as they "vacuum" bacteria which could infect passing birds and mammals. While they rarely kill their meal, preferring older carrion, they hunt with keen eyesight and an excellent sense of smell.

You may see them as they soar the thermals in the hills and valleys of Oregon. When you do, give them a salute for the beauty and grace they bring to our land. And give them a thanks as they "clean-up" our favorite hiking spots, farms and forests. I don't know about you, but that job is not one I would "relish" so I tip my hat to the lofty Buzzard as he quietly goes about his life sweeping, dusting & mopping up.

GOOD SPIT-GLUE

Let's all try thinking about life as a Cormorant for just a minute. The electrical towers built in the tide flats of Coos Bay are constructed of metal girders. They tower hundreds of feet in the air above the tide lands. Wind buffets them hard enough to suck a good idea right out of your head and blow your feathers off if you are a bird. Yet these hardy birds build their nests on those thin metal girders during the rainy spring days with the wind tearing at the twigs like a hungry monster. This is where they lay their eggs. This is the first life these little fuzz balls know. In the pix below, the daddy perches next to Mom, reaches behind her and feeds the two hungry beaks reaching up. Mom perches there on the thin ledge ready to assume her position as "blanket" for the babies as soon as he has filled their crops with regurgitated fish. 

All that is going on while the wind whistles through the metal girders. Consider this: What kind of "glue" do they use to hold that nest onto the metal?  Consider the determination these critters have to propagate life and carry on. While they are considered "evil fish eaters" by local fishermen since they do consume "our fish" I suggest we have a lot to learn from them. If we lament our poor showing on a fishing expedition, let's hone our fishing skills. Knocking the wondrous attributes of nature is not going to cure anything or put fish in our nets.

The Cormorant numbers have exploded in certain areas where they have no natural predators. I do understand the implications of that. But, when human beings intervene we generally make matters worse. Maybe, just maybe, they have a good lesson we need to learn. And it's not about using good spit glue to hold a nest on a metal girder.