In the Flow Part II

As requested, here are some more pictures from my outing at Mill Creek. This is part 2 of 3 or perhaps 4. I have gone back to this spot a few times within the past couple of weeks.
My last outing surprised me. I had been gone for only one week but the water had dropped about 4 inches. I was under the assumption that since it had been raining quite often that the water would have remained about the same.
Also, I was attacked by a large crawfish, crayfish, crawdad, crustacean during my last visit. I looked down when changing spots and noticed the monster. At first I saw only one claw coming at me. Then the anttenae were whipping me in the face.
It grabbed a hold of my pants and was trying to drag me under the boulder that it called home but I was somehow able to reach the riverbank and hold on to a root. I grabbed my tripod with my other hand and started swatting at the beast. After a couple of good swats the thing let go and I was able to struggle ashore.
I decided to leave the area for safety and moved downstream about a hundred yards. I snapped off a couple more shots and was startled by movement in the water again. Another beast emerged from the depths and I was out of there!
Safe at home I realized that I was able to get off a couple of shots of the animal - while beating it off. In everyone of them the shaking of my hands is very evident and you can see death and hunger in it's eyes.

Perhaps I will post those some day. (My nightmares must end first.)

In the Flow

This weekend I spent both Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon at Mill Creek. There are many branches of said creek and many places to get down to it. This area was right by one of the high schools and there are apartments on the other side. On Saturday morning, the sun was out and the residents were mostly still sleeping. On Sunday, they were all aware enjoying the rainy weather. It wasn't quite as peaceful or quiet. I have to admit that this is probably my favorite spot in Salem now.

The leaves are starting to change, have fallen in to the water, and have been caught by the rocks. In one place the leaves created a small dam that the water piled up behind and then flowed over the leaves instead of washing them downstream. This is definitely a place to return to in the future.

Go Brew Crew

A tip of the hat and the Martinelli's bottle to the Brew Crew!!!

I finally will get to remember and enjoy a playoff series in Milwaukee! How much for tickets?! (Just kidding, unless they make it to the World Series.)

Morning Darkness

So I got up early last Saturday. If you don't believe me, just look at the pictures below. I don't like the fact that it is staying dark later in the morning, but it is nice that I don't have to get up quite as early to go take pictures.

This one was taken on my way to my destination. It was intended to just be a quick couple of pictures to get my "bearings," but it turned out to be one of my favorite pictures that I took that morning.


The capitol mall has lots of benches to sit and enjoy the weather when it is nice. I love the lights around the mall and have photographed them on a couple of occasions. The deep blue of the sky that is showing through the trees are the best part of this photo for me.

Saturday Morning Flowers

Here are two pictures that were taken early on Saturday. It was a hazardous walk to get there.There is a small park in downtown Salem with a couple of streams flowing through which are frequented by ducks.

I have some pictures of the ducks, but today you get flowers.