SPRING FLORA & FAUNA

The darlingtonias in the photo below remind me of gossips. They have their "heads" together whispering while their "tongues" wag as they await the next bug to enter their domain. You can find a pond of them at the Darlingtonia Gardens north of Florence, Oregon. Sprinkled in with these charmers are magnificent skunk cabbage blooming their little yellow heads off. 

Bald eagles get their final feather color after they are several years old. The two-year old having "duck a l'orange" for breakfast on this spring morning was suspicious of the Canadian geese lurking behind him. Little does he know, they are vegans. But he was taking no chances as he cast aspersions to all who came within reach. 

So your breakfast menu choice may not include insects or dead ducks (or live ones for that matter), but mother (nature) feeds us all per our inclinations. Mine is to get out and see--see it all--look until my eyes give out! I hope that is what you will do as we launch into this beautiful season. Don't forget your camera. You will want to look, over and over, as you remember this spring. 

                                                 Darlingtonias awaiting a buggy breakfast

                   Two-year old bald eagle having duck a l'orange on Umpqua River sand bar

WATER FALLS, FLOWERS & MOSS

The weather man suggested that this Thursday would be rain-free, so I marked it on my calendar as my first hike of this season. Off to Silver Falls State Park and the expectant opportunity to take photos of the lovely water falls, wild flowers, and nature in general housed in that canyon. Little did I know! Even the Skunk Cabbage waved to me. This is the season of excess water running over the basalt cliffs bringing nourishment to the large variety of wildflowers and mosses as well as quenching your thirst for natures beauty.

This first picture was taken of Middle North Falls while standing in a cave where the trail naturally takes you. The second one is the North Falls. I can rant all I want, but until you get mist on your face and water drops on your lens (note spot in top pix), you are not going to fully appreciate what I am going on about. 

Arriving home tired from my 5+ mile hike, but none-the-less refreshed, I had 190+ photos of the beauty available and smiling for me. I just want you to take advantage of it. It's an easy drive out of Salem presenting lovely walks with maps available. And even though I met a lot of folks on the trail, most of the time I felt like I was the only one there. That park has room for everyone. 

I'M READY TO HIT THE TRAIL

 Well, I don't know about you, but I am ready to hit the road and find a good trail for hiking and communing with mother (earth). Winter has been very kind to us here in the Willamette Valley with record warm temperatures. In fact, I have burned exactly half the wood in my wood stove that I usually do by this time. While I won't complain, I know it will allow a profusion of insects to swarm and make life buggy this summer. Another repercussion is the low snow pack. We may have a bad fire year. So I will need to plan twice while making my itinerary for the summers travels. Once for where I want to go, and twice for where I may end up due to forest fires.

That all being said, I hope you are planning a season of outdoor adventure that will roll with you into the next winter; one that will keep you mulling over the beauty outside your window when the November weather graces us with bluster.

Tripping On Oregon's Treasures will be out in May. It is a book of my stories and will hopefully give you some ideas on which direction to "trip" off to this summer. I will keep you posted on actual date of publication. In the mean time, get out your maps and start warming up your hiking boots. It's almost time!

WE WERE BORN WET, ENJOY THIS WEATHER

As I have said previously, I love winter. We are currently in the midst of a "major rain event" which should bring several inches of rain to the Willamette Valley in the next few days. It is warm like the middle of spring with a wind to blow your hat to Portland. So my camera and I took a walk down to the Willamette River. 

In 1912 this bridge in the pix below was constructed as a railroad bridge. It was used for decades but after the trains quit using it, it fell into disrepair. Several years ago the city of Salem purchased it, retrofitted it as a pedestrian bridge connecting the Riverfront Park on the east to Wallace Marine Park on the west side of the river. It is a favored walking / biking spot for Salem folks. Note the blue sky. I wore my raincoat and hat. Not a drop! Oh well, my camera captured some shots. I included my two favorite ones here. The bottom one is "winter reflections in a city mud puddle". 

I hope wherever you are, you are getting out and enjoying this lovely weather we have right now. Even if you have to walk in "wind-driven rain" enjoy the heck out of it. It is every bit as fun as playing in the sprinklers used to be as a child. You won't melt and I'll bet you have a great time.

MA NATURE IN HER LICHEN LONG-JOHNS

I Love Love Love winter. It is a time for rest and renewal. Taking a cue from our Mother (Nature) I enjoy the peaceful quiet that comes from winter time. As Mother Nature strips down to her Lichen Long-johns for a foggy respite from creating growth, so do I take advantage of the short daylight hours. 

Have you noticed what daylight induces? One must weed, mow, rake, hoe, clip, prune, paint, mend fences, wash cars, and while the hose is out, wash windows...and oh, the house. None of which can be done if it is dark when you return home from work, or it is too cold out, or there is nothing to mow, weed, prune or rake. 

So who wouldn't love a cup of hot mint tea, a good book, and a foggy or rainy, or snowy, or darkening day? I do, I do. Ah, good old winter who comes but a few months a year. Can you stay? Have some tea?