Windowsill beauty

A neighbor who recently moved out of state gave me her African Violets. I wondered if I could keep them as healthy and bloomy as she did, but after a couple of months with me they seem happy. And they certainly add a lot of bright beauty to my windowsill.

Wildflower season

Took a walk down to the ponds yesterday. Just a leisurely stroll, not thinking about footsteps, what (if any) cardio range I was in, or how long I was walking. Felt so good, to be just out for pleasure. Stopping often to check out the scenery, take some photos, etc. And when I started to feel tired, I turned around and walked back home. This may not sound like such a big deal, but it's a rare thing for me these days. I'm usually out for the exercise, and listening closely to my Fitbit to try to stay in fat-burning mode. 

Actually, I'm taking a break from the entire exercise thing this week. I've been waking up drained of energy for a few days, and some other symptoms and a little research tell me that I've been over-training, and that I need to let the body heal. It sure hasn't been interested in exercise, that's for sure! I'm still not a bundle of energy, but feeling okay. Hiking tomorrow as usual, though a less strenuous hill than the one at Mt. Pisgah that we've been doing for the last 3 weeks.

The ponds were quiet -- birds have more sense than humans when it comes to being out in the heat of the day, I guess. But it's always a pretty trail and a pleasant walk. Here's a few photos to liven things up.

This was certainly unexpected! But, I've seen a crew sometimes in the early mornings getting ready to go out in a canoe. I expect they are pulling up some unwanted plant growth out there, though I don't know which one. I've read about it in the past, but my mind is like a sieve these days. They were probably on a lunch break at this point.

Even the lowliest of wildflowers can be pretty, with a close look. I didn't notice the insect in the middle until it was enlarged. I wish photos uploaded onto Blogger kept more clarity. This one is actually quite focused and detailed, but much of that got lost in translation.

I believe these are wild sweet peas. Whatever they are, it's certainly their season. Lots of them out there, and they really brighten up the place.

So that was my walk. Today, gonna take the  bus downtown to the Farmer's Market and see what fresh goodness I can bring home.

Happy Fourth of July !

Since I don't have much to say these days without saying it in photos, here are some from yesterday afternoon and this morning.

Yesterday afternoon, along the River trail.

Great Blue Heron, far in the distance [full zoom in use] in the early morning light, Delta Ponds.

I'm sure all these photos look the same to y'all out there, but I see all the subtle differences in light, especially the early morning light when the sun's just poking above the trees. I love the peacefulness, the quiet, the still beauty and the colors.

This little duck family was enjoying the log.

Saw a couple of tunnels through the trees that I'd never noticed, though I walk this trail often. It parallels the sidewalk, alongside the ponds near home, and is a much nicer alternative.

So that's my tour for today. Got a little over an hour of walking in before 8am, so the rest of the day I'll probably stay inside and chill.

Marine breezes to the rescue

Our cool marine air from the Pacific swept into town yesterday afternoon, cooled us off, and it was SO welcome. This morning when I set off on my usual long walk, it was about 60, which is divine walking weather.  It's still hot all week, but a damn sight better than the weekend.

Different story when I went out again after lunch. It was hotter out there than I realized, and I foolishly chose a route that didn't have a lot of shade. But, no problems other than some discomfort. I love walking along the river, and spotted these people relaxing on some rocks, kids playing in a shallow are [other side of the river].

This is almost directly behind my house, though there's no direct way to get there. An easy walk, though.  I got in over 11,000 steps today, with the two walks and some errands.

Heat wave

Greetings from HOT Eugene! It's early yet, but later forecasts range from 104-107. Tomorrow, 113. Yikes. We didn't sign up for that in this part of the world.

As usual, I did some walking while doing [ie waiting for] my laundry this morning, early. Already hot then, but I got a few decent pics from it.

Over at the ponds, flowers and beauty are everywhere this time of year.

Back in the garden, plenty of flowers and beauty, too. Sun just beginning to filter into the garden area.

Laundry, breakfast and shower done. I got in an hour and 15 minutes of walking, about 8500 footsteps so far. Doubt there will be anymore serious outdoor time for me today, though I probably won't be able to resist brief walks around the building here and there. Thankfully, I don't have to go anywhere!

Stay safe, be happy.

Mt. Pisgah -- to the top!

We've both found the idea of attempting to reach the top of Mt. Pisgah a little daunting. Nevertheless, we determined that we would attempt it today. It's a long, hard, slog, but we made it. Hallelujah! Two and a half hours, total up and down. 13,322 footsteps. We weren't trying for speed, merely to survive.

Views are great on the way up. The day was overcast, and cool, which was perfect for a hike like this and two little old gray-haired ladies.

 

Spencer's Butte, the other 'big mountain' in town, refused to lose its cloud cover until we were back near the parking lot when the sun broke through everywhere. Of the two, I think Spencer's is the toughest, or maybe I'm just in better shape than I was when we did it last year. That was a one-and-only trip for me, no desire to do it again, though we'll certainly do Mt. Pisgah again, trying a different trail that another hiker told us about today.

The good news is, I guess, that I feel great. Not tired or worn out, although happy to get some food in my belly.

Wild Iris Ridge Trail

Hi, Y'all.  Another beautiful day here in Eugene. Sunny, but not too hot. Yet.

My hiking buddy and I got an early start while it was still cool, and had a good hike at one of our favorite places, Wild Iris Ridge.  Neither of us was exactly full of pep, but we did it, and enjoyed it. I haven't slept well this week, after a Monday walk that ended up being 15,000 footsteps and really wore me out. I've rested a lot since then, but I'm still tired. Alas. 

From the parking lot looking  up the hill. The trail goes through the woods, not up the power lines, and while it isn't a huge hill, the trail is steady and steep in places.

 

From the top looking back down at the road. Somehow, it looks further away from up here!

Also from the top. The power lines are only a small portion of the surroundings up here. Mostly, there are rolling hills like this.

These woods are full of red-barked Madrone trees, especially beautiful when the sun hits them. They also have large white flower clusters earlier in the spring.

So, that was our hike. Got most of my 10,000 steps in up there, finished it off with a walk down the hall a few minutes ago. Now I may be headed for my second nap of the afternoon.

Keep smiling!

Mt. Pisgah to the River Trail. Busy week.

 Hi, y'all. Been a busy but wonderful week.

Thursday, my hiking buddy and I drove down to Mt. Pisgah, to try our luck going up the mountain. We've both done it in the past, but it's been years. Before I left Eugene in 2009 I went out there often. I was much younger then. We didn't go to the top -- didn't intend to! But there's a nice side trail that connects to the main trail way up the mountain. After that, we explored the trails of the Arboretum, which was new to both of us.

Took this of the view, not too far up the grade. The trail went through forests and meadows, though the downhill portion on the main trail was just dirt, rocks and gravel.

This cool old barn and silo was our first discovery on the Arboretum trail. As you can see, the day was overcast, but not cold. The following photos were along the various Arboretum trails, too.

As you can see, the Arboretum trails go through a variety of scenery.

Fast forward to today, and I got in another 20,000 step day. Yay for me! I've been determined to walk down the riverfront trails on what I thought would be about a 6.5 mile loop [and I think that's about what it was]. Started out this morning with about 4000 steps between 5:30-6am. Then, about 9am headed out on the long trek.   In the map below, I've marked my route in red. A, at the top, is the starting point. B is where I crossed the river. C is the Owen Rose Garden , where I stopped to literally smell the roses. D is Alton Baker Park, where I rested for a moment before returning on that side of the river. Saw an eagle flying across the river just after I headed back home from the Park. Plenty of them around here, but it's always cool to see one.

 The Willamette River, looking south from the first bike bridge. The bridge in the distance is an automobile bridge, and the Owen Rose Garden is just this side of that bridge.

The smell here was indescribably wonderful. Thousands of roses. I've been here before, but I think not when it was in full bloom like this. Passed in on my bike countless times, but don't stop.

The Willamette, again, still looking south but this time from the next bike bridge, the DeFazio Bridge, where I crossed again so I could return on the other side of the river.

From Alton Baker Park, looking back at the DeFazio bridge.

So that was the end of the photo tour. This side of the river is far less photogenic, and it was getting crowded with walkers, cyclists, people on all manner of human-powered devices. As I got back to the first bridge, I was feeling rather weary so rather than fight the crowds the rest of the way on the riverpath, I cut over to the road that takes me straight back home. Took about 2.5 hours, and I was a pooped puppy by the time I got home. A little food and water though, and I'm feeling pretty good at the moment.

It feels so odd to crow about walking only 8.2 miles, when in the old days I wouldn't have bothered to drive out of Atlanta up to the North Georgia mountains for anything less than 10 miles, and 20-25 were more the norm. But, I was much younger then. I'll work up to more miles around here. Maybe.

The Ponds and the Critters

Went for an early morning, before-breakfast walk to the ponds, and another one a short while ago. Still playing with the camera, getting used to it, and most of all, learning to hold it steady when I'm using the strong telephoto.

 Early morning, this family of geese made pretty patterns in the still water.

It was barely daylight out there -- sun hadn't made its appearance yet.

Contrast a few hours later in bright sunshine!

Got into a rather lengthy standoff with this pair of geese protecting their babies. I couldn't get back to the sidewalk without passing them, finally made it. They can be a bit aggressive where their babies are concerned, so I didn't want to push it too much.

Coming home, this osprey and its chick were posing very nicely! Doesn't happen often. The platform is high up on a pole, next to a telephone pole, right alongside the busy road. I was happy with the sharp image this time, considering it was pretty high telephoto. It's actually better than it looks here, since Blogger seems to make photos smaller with fewer pixels. But, it's progress, with me and the camera and the zoom lens.

So, I've walked over 9,000 steps today already. 10,000 is the goal, and I'll make that easily today. Hiking tomorrow, so don't want to push the footsteps too much today.

New camera!

Some of you may remember that I got a new camera awhile ago. It was supposed to be the end-all be-all, but as it turns out I didn't like it, so I returned it. Since then, I've been thinking about getting one they showed me when I returned the first one, but I always came up with excuses of one kind or another. But a couple of days ago, I decided to Just Do It! And so far, I love it.

As you can see, it practically fits in the palm of my hand, has a great Zeiss lens and a 30x zoom that works great. I still haven't figured out how to hold that little thing steady when it's zoomed out that much, but it does a good job. When I first got it I went out into the garden area to test in on a variety of different subjects. It has great color, works really well in extreme close-up. These were my two favorites from that test. Does well in bright sunlight, shade, and mixed.

 

I love this peony, especially the dark shadows and streak of sunlight.

 

Simple photo -- but it shows how well it captures bright, rich colors.

I was under the weather yesterday, but this morning I went on a long walk for some other tests. The sky was heavily overcast the entire time. Some of my favorites from this morning. The sleeping duck was right on the trail -- no zoom necessary. He never moved, though I walked past him twice.

 

This is close up, no zoom. Would have been better with sunshine, but you gotta work with what  you have to work with.

 

These are Mergansers, according to a couple of birdwatchers who brought my attention to them. This was heavy zoom, though not full zoom. Biggest problem was following them with the lens in zoom mode, since they were swimming rather fast. They were also in a small, shaded section of the ponds and hard to see, let alone photograph. It could be clearer, but under the circumstances, I'm happy with it.

 

Later: Went for another walk this afternoon, to the Delta Ponds, found these, with a little more sunlight.

 

Western Pond Turtles, basking in the sun. Hundreds (thousands?) of them here.

 

I could be wrong, but I think this guy is a Wood Duck. Heavy zoom on this one.

Far end of the ponds, almost directly across the street from where I live, but only accessible via a nice, long trail through trees and daisies.

 

 

So that's my story for today. I look forward to more wildlife, more flowers, more everything. Hopefully on a less overcast day than today.