Back at It

Here are some of the latest shots. I went out to Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge on a chilly, foggy day.The first stop was at a great place to watch the water fowl, if it isn't foggy. I could hear them making noise but couldn't see fifty yards from the parking lot. Instead I stayed focused on the area right around the lot which was filled with spider webs and dew. The above picture is of a fencepost and spider web. I was happy to get the shot between gusts of wind to keep it in focus.
I then headed to a short trail through the woods. I had been here before and knew what to expect and where some of the other promising spots would be. I was amazed at a couple of places where the trees would disappear into the fog. These two pictures don't quite capture the claustrophobic feeling that I had throughout the morning. I was never sure exactly what was twenty yards ahead.
The woulds open up a little at the top of the hill and it was very mysterious and quite shocking. The deer also seemed to appreciate this area. I came across 8 of them lying down and grazing in this part of the trail. In all I saw 13 deer during my hike. They were quite peaceful and I was able to get to within 10 feet of one before it slowly walked off the trail.

They foggy, damp, chilly pictures are nice, but I am ready for some cold and snowy shot followed by desert scenes.

Sunny Saturday

Last weekend we were able to enjoy some very nice weather. The sun forced it's way through the clouds and it warmed up very nicely. It was a perfect time for me to head to the parks on either side of the Willamette.
I started out at River Front Park on the east side and took most of my pictures there. The park was busy with families playing and people walking and running. The early morning fishermen were just finishing when I showed up - they did not appear to be successful. The above picture is of one of the abandoned factories or warehouses right next to the park. This gate was an entrance to the parking lot right from the park. Evidentially the buildings have been empty for quite some time - perhaps since before the park was established.
This is on the west side of the river in Wallace Marine Park. There is a large parking lot by the boat ramp which is separated from the main park by the old train tracks in the background. The tracks and the bridge over the river are being fixed, hence the orange fence.

Last Touches of Fall

Mill Creek has many places at which you can take some good pictures. These were taken just across the street from our place. Unfortunately there is no good access to the stream without climbing over a small hand rail by the sidewalk. I was not feeling too adventurous last weekend and it was starting to rain.
The backyards of the houses on the opposite border the creek and most of them have built a retaining wall. However, the outside of the turn has been left unchanged and is rather extraordinary. At this point, the creek is about 25 feet below the sidewalk and a foot bridge.
I really wanted to get closer to the water right by the bridge, but it wasn't very safe on one side and the other was private property. Some day I will have to drop down further upstream and walk to where I want to be. Hopefully I won't get too wet on the way.

Behold the Beast

Here are three pictures of the beast that attacked me the last time I made my way out to Mill Creek.



Here is a view where you can see the full size of the monster. BIG!

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.)