Day 90

ISO100, 75mm, f/11, 1/500 sec.

Day 90 - Non-committal plus bonus

I have been fascinated with the clouds this spring. Today was no exception. Our weather forecast for this week has been torrential rain (got it), lightening (rare here, didn't happen), high winds (25 mph, check) and more rain.

Judging by the dark cloud, I thought maybe we would get the rain, and then looking at the blue sky and puffy clouds I thought, maybe not.

Were the clouds always this cool before I started looking for a photo everyday?

And as a bonus, these were the clouds to the north tonight.

ISO 100, 105mm, f/4.0, 1/100 sec.

Day 89

ISO 100, 82mm, f/8.0, 1/200 sec.

Day 89 - Smoke Signals

We were out having our after work cup of coffee, to the west the storm clouds were really brewing, but when I walked out to where I could look through the trees to the south, I saw this really weird cloud rising from the ground.

Looked like smoke signals to me.

I almost forgot, it's Twitter Tuesday!

Day 88

ISO 100, 45mm, f/8.0, HDR 1/30 sec., 1/125 sec., 1/8 sec.

Day 88 - Swamped

Our property backs up to a wetland. When we got the nonstop downpour last night, the backyard flooded. The skies did part for all of 30 minutes today, but according to weather.com, more rain is expected.

Oh goody. Looking forward to a flurry of muddy paws.

Day 87

ISO 100, 24mm, f/8.0, HDR 1/30 sec., 1/125 sec., 1/8 sec.

Day 87 - Spring Green

We drove through Sandy, Oregon today. In the rain we drove past "the Devil's Backbone" viewpoint. On the way back, it was still raining, but less and we stopped.

Somewhere behind the clouds lives Mt. Hood, definitely a place we will revisit.

The Sandy River winds its way through the Willamette Valley and in this part of the valley was one of the first places pioneers on the Oregon Trail stopped.

Day 86

ISO 320, 45mm, f/4.0, 1/60 sec.

Day 86 - MOTB

My youngest daughter is getting married. (No worries oldest daughter, you won't be an old maid.)

Today began the ritual of dress shopping. I'm pretty sure Holly has worn out the Internet looking at dresses, but today we physically entered a store and she tried a few on. I of course was there, not to give advice, not to oooh and ahhh, but to take pictures. Every moment is documented.

I've been sworn to secrecy. I've been threatened. I'm not allowed to post pictures of Holly in the dress. But trust me when I tell you, she will be the most beautiful bride, ever.

Day 85

ISO 100, 50mm, f/9.0, 1/400 sec.

Day 85 - Gallon House Covered Bridge

In her hey day, Oregon had over 400 covered bridges. Now only 51 remain standing, mostly in the western part of the state.

This is the Gallon House covered bridge. It was a "pigeon drop" for bootleggers between Silverton, OR a dry town and Mt. Angel, OR.

The Gallon House Bridge spans 84' over the Abiqua Creek.

Day 84

ISO100, 100mm macro, f/8.0, 1/125 sec.

Day 84 - Light as a feather

I love the delicate texture of a feather. Fortunately for me, the cats have left this one still somewhat intact.

Day 83

ISO100, 100mm macro, f/32, 30.0 sec.

Day 83 - Pretty in pink

Many years ago my mom gave me this crystal. It has moved from Denver to Seattle to Salem.

I had visions of replicating the wonderful rainbows that it produces from the sun with my trusty flashlight. But instead, it was determined to be pretty in pink.

Day 82

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/14, 1.6 sec.

Day 82 - Royalty

Frantically searching for a subject, I headed out the front door tonight with tripod and macro lens in hand. I was relieved to see the Asian pear tree almost in full bloom. It stands right next to our front door, it must have just opened up these last two days.

Shooting the blossoms straight on just didn't do the purple stamens and white petals justice. I took the lens to the left of the blossom and brought out the LED flashlight with its blue light and played with the shadows of the stamen.

I could make the shadows dance and dramatically change the depth just by repositioning the flashlight.

Check out the other Twitter Tuesday photos.

Day 81

ISO 100, 24mm, f/14, HDR 0.6 sec., 1/6 sec., 2.5 sec.

Day 81 - The Bridges of Salem

Another not so great sunset at the waterfront actually landed me this shot of the only three bridges in Salem that cross the river. One is an old railroad bridge now re-purposed as a foot bridge, the east bound bridge and the west bound bridge.

For all of 20 seconds the water was still, the clouds tumultuous and there was a tinge of color from the sunset.

Day 80

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/5.6, 1/60 sec.

Day 80 - Jaws

This little beauty is a tiny weed growing in our yard. The flowers are smaller than the end of my little finger.

The world macro opens up is amazing to me. I had no clue, even with my bifocals on that these little flowers wore fluffy hats. I don't know what they are, but they do look like they could bite.

Day 79

ISO 100, 73mm, f/8.0, 1/125 sec.

Day 79 - Saturday Sunrise

Was a 4 am alarm worth it on a Saturday? Yup! Mt. Hood was in her glory this morning. I pulled off of Interstate between Salem and Portland about 10 minutes before I captured this one. What a way to start the day.

Rain tomorrow.

Day78

ISO100, 24mm, f/4.0, HDR 125 sec., 1/500 sec., 1/30 sec.

Day 78 - I didn't know

The reflecting pool on the west side of the Oregon State Capitol Building was not something I expected to find.

I was heading to that side to catch the sunset on the dome and found a couple of fascinating contemporary statues, the 50 state flags and a reflecting pool.

I guess I need to get out more.

Day 77

ISO 640, 100mm macro, f/2.8, 1/125 sec.

Day 77 - Ladybug Season

It's my lucky day, I just saw my first ladybug of the season.

Day 76

ISO 100, 50mm, f/22, 10.0 sec.

Day 76 - My Twilight

In life I am a morning person, sleeping past 6 am is almost unheard of. If you ask me my favorite time of day, hands down, it is the twilight when everything is so peaceful.

Day 75

ISO 100, 47mm, f/11, 1/100 sec.

Day 75 - Blaze of Glory

I had such high hopes for a fabulous sunset tonight, however, the rain clouds had a different thought. When I looked high in the sky just watching the clouds though, this is what I saw.

Day 74

ISO100, 67mm, f/4.0, 1/125 sec.

Day 74 - Tough Monday

It's official, springing ahead should be eliminated. Couldn't catch up today no matter what I did.

Day 73

Day 73 - Country Drive

There is a field out in the country behind an abandoned home that has a line-up of abandoned cars. I love this field and have visited it frequently for fodder.

I'm especially intrigued by this 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe four-door sedan. The first time I saw the car, I didn't know why there was a connection but I loved the car and admired it's beautiful shiny hood ornament. The original license plate was placed on it in 1956, but it's most recent tag is 1972. I'm guessing that is when the car became mangled in an accident.

I was a little saddened to see the "oversize load" flat bed semi behind the cars this morning. This most likely means they will be all loaded up and hauled off.

I came across my parents wedding photo from November 7, 1943. My dad, a bomber pilot in WWII, was home on leave.

On closer inspection of the photo, I connected the dots. My parents drove a 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe.

Day 72

ISO 100, 24mm, f/11, HDR 1/100 sec., 1/400 sec., 1/25 sec.

Day 72 - Nobody home

We stopped at this abandoned house because behind it sat an old red barn with great character. I looked toward the porch as I was walking back to the car. I really appreciated the empty porch, old chair and milk can more.

I imagine that at one time somebody sat out on the porch watching the daffodils bloom and the cars drive by on the highway.

Day 71

ISO100, 35mm, f/11, 1/80 sec.

Day 71 - We Got Mud

These gorgeous, white speckled legs belong to Crystal our pocket-rocket. She loves to run and by the looks of these legs, the muddier the better.

I do think the wind-streaked mud splashes are quiet artistic. Note the pristine fluffy tail, apparently a lady-like greyhound runs with her tail up and out of the muds harm.

Day 70

ISO160, 100mm macro, f/4.0, 1/100 sec.

Day 70 - Rainman

We were promised 90% chance of rain today... and yes, the rainman delivered the goods.

Day 69

ISO 320, 200mm, f/4.0, 1/250 sec.

Day 69 - All Treed Up

And no where to go.

Dear Kitty Kitty,

Didn't you read the memo I sent? Or did you just choose to ignore it. The back yard you just entered has greyhounds, really fast greyhounds. In fact, they are fast greyhounds that don't necessarily like cats.

I've seen you in that tree before with greyhounds nipping at your toes. You think you are so fast, but but here is a warning little kitty kitty, one of these days you are going to have had one too many mice the night before and you won't be so fast.

So please, go to the vet and get yourself fixed and find another back yard with friendly dogs to be chased by.

Thank you, The Management

Day 68

ISO100, 50mm, f/4.0, 1/60 sec

Day 68 - City Limits

This sign stands about a mile out of a town of 1,000. Falls City, Oregon used to be an active logging town, but is now more of a sleeper community with a few businesses, churches and schools.

I found this old shotgun pitted sign fascinating.

Day 67

ISO 100, 60mm, f/4.0, 1/250 sec.

Day 67 - A Small Corner of My World

We live on a fenced acre covered in grass and surrounded by trees. In bloom right now is the ancient plum tree. Soon to follow are the cherry trees, the asian pear tree and the apple trees. The maple trees and dogwoods are just getting their buds. We also have walnut and hazelnut trees. The cedar trees are probably somewhere around 60 ft. high.

I suddenly remember why I love this time of year so much.

Day 66

ISO 100, 105mm, f/22, 1/2 sec.

Day 66 - Cherry Blossom Walk

Salem's capitol mall is beautiful in the spring. The walkways leading to the capitol building are lined with cherry trees and are almost in full bloom right now. I would have liked to waited another day or two, but weather.com promises rain this week and the rain will certainly take it's toll on the blossoms.

Tim

$2 portrait project began with Thomas Hawk.

We were pulling out of the parking lot at our local grocery store in Salem when I saw Tim holding his sign. Needless to say, we drove around the block so that I could go back and talk to Tim.

When I explained the project to him, he was more than happy to have his portrait taken. He and his girlfriend want to get married. He said money was tight and work was hard to get.

He gave me the list of all of their wedding expenses, he had $30 dollars left to pay for his bride's dress, $87 to pay for his tux. Money was needed for a license, the reception hall and little more for her ring.

He said they were different, they put their names on their poster. He was quite proud and very excited for his wedding to come. I wished them the best for a long and happy life.


Here is Tim's sign.

Dave

$2 portrait project began with Thomas Hawk.

Dave was walking with Andrew and when Andrew started talking to us, Dave quietly stood back in the shadows.

He was a shy, quiet guy. When our conversation ended, he was ready to walk on, but Andrew spoke up and asked if we would like to take Dave's portrait as well. Dave shyly smiled accepted the $2 allowed me to take his portrait.

Dave was also from Los Angeles.

Andrew

$2 portrait project began with Thomas Hawk.

Andrew approached just as we were about to cross the street. He was happy to have his portrait take in exchange for the $2. And then, he started to ask a few questions of us. He's from Los Angeles and loves Portland. He thought it was a great place to raise a family, but he never really mentioned that he had one.

He immediately began talking about a vision he has. He said that the people on the street don't want a hand out, but rather a hand up. He said that if only they could get a building with security for people to stay at.

He had ideas about how he would organize it. The first floor would be segregated, men on one side, women and children on the other. People could stay there for 60 days and kind of "re-group". A nurse would always be available.

The second floor would be for education so that people could be prepared to go back out into the work force. If they couldn't cut it on the second floor, they would go back to the first floor.

Andrew was so passionate about his idea, I think he could have talked for days about it.

Alabama

$2 portrait project began with Thomas Hawk.

Alabama didn't approach us, he was standing on a street corner with a great sign and we went up to him. When I explained the $2 portrait project to him, he was happy to have his picture taken in exchange for $2.

He wasn't very talkative, but said he had been in Portland for about 10 years and hated the weather. Not surprising, he had come from Alabama. When I asked him if he thought he would go back, he just nodded his no.


This was Alabama's totally creative sign. I loved it.

Day 65

ISO 100, 84mm, f/4.0, 1/200 sec

Day 65 - Liddle Lambzy Divie

I've been watching for a field of lambs and finally found one just outside of Monmouth, OR.

This sweet little baby was as curious about me as I was about her. She wandered close to the fence and her mama watched every move.

Day 64

ISO100, 67mm, f/8.0, 0.6 sec

Day 64 - A Riverfront Sunset

I was standing near the same spot as last night, but tonight the sunset was spectacular. We really just went down to enjoy a cup of coffee by the waterfront and as the colors grew more intense, it became painful, I had to get the camera out.

The sternwheeler in the foreground is called the Willamette Queen. She travels up and down the Willamette River. They hit ground about two months ago, so I guess we're lucky she's back.

A perfect sunset was followed by sushi, a perfect meal.

Day 63

ISO100, 105mm, f/4.0, 1/5 sec

Day 63 - Waiting

Day 62

ISO 200, 47mm, f/8.0, 1/125 sec

Day 62 - Yellow Night

One of my favorite things about spring time in Oregon are the daffodils that almost grow wild.

Driving a long country roads we see clumps of daffodils just growing, sometimes many miles away from a home.

Our yard is no different. We love the daffodils, but they are pretty much left to their own devices and every year, they come up.

This is one of our frilly varieties.

It was dark when I got out to shoot them by the street. I was prepared for the darkness, I wasn't prepared for the traffic that created a constant wind that kept them moving.

Day 61

ISO 100, 100mm macro, f/2.8, 1/80 sec

Day 61 - Raindrops and petals

The plum tree is in full bloom now every petal caught a raindrop this afternoon.

Day 60

ISO100, 100mm macro, f/11, 1/60 sec

Day - 60 When a rose is not a rose

But a double begonia waiting to go into the gardens.