And The Race Is On

This is a 20 second exposure of some cars going up and down a hill on the north end of 3rd Ave. I had stopped to take pictures of the sunset (which was in another direction, since this photo is facing north), and decided the headlights and taillights made for an interesting (to me, anyway) photo.

At The End Of The Day

A new neighborhood is being built on the east end of town, between Jefferson St. and Santiam St. This piece of construction equipment (a backhoe? I'm not sure) was sitting prettily as the sun went down behind it. I haven't really shot into the sun much before, but it seemed to work out okay.

Pyramid Scheme

Today's photo is of a nighttime shot of one of the windows at the Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant on Locust Ave. The red and blue in the neon sign make an interesting purple glow in and around the window.

Golden

This was taken last night, a few minutes before sunset. We had actual spring-like weather yesterday, so I went tootling around during the evening hours with my camera. It was a nice change from the hail and snow we had less than a week ago.

Fallen Spring Leaf

Some of you may remember my interest (okay, obsession) I have with autumn leaves (check out the autumn category of this here site for examples).

Well, it seems some of those autumn leaves stuck around and decided to fall in the spring. Which, despite them being dead and brown, made me happy. So here's a dead, crumbly, brown leaf. Enjoy. ;)

Coneheads

I was poking around at Lone Oak Cemetery the other day and saw these cones sitting upside down and thought they were nifty. The cones are used to hold flowers to place on graves. The red wall behind it is part of a utility shed which sits on cemetery property. I posted a photo of it last year.

Jordan Bridge

Okay, yes, I am posting yet another photo of the Jordan Bridge. But, see, the weather has been rather icky the last handful of days, so I haven't been able to go out and taken any photos... that means I had to fall back on one I took a week ago, when I was chasing a squirrel through Pioneer Park.

I've started a post category just for Jordan Bridge photos, if you're interested.

Down By The River

Down by the river where no body goes.
Hides the secret fishing hole of Moe's.

Guest photographer Moe sent in this shot of the river... I'm guessing the Santiam, but since it's a secret fishing hole, he didn't say exactly where it was taken. :) He did, however, provide the cute little poem above to go with the photo.

Photo is copyright © Moe. All rights reserved. Do not copy or reproduce in any way without permission of photographer.

Do What With The What, Exactly?

This sign I spotted at Neitling Park has me a bit perplexed. What is that thing the person on the sign is holding, and what does it do? And why is it pointing at that dog's back end?

I don't know, but I do have a few theories. 1) The end has a mirror on it so the person will be warned when the dog is about to do his duty. 2) It's some sort of, um, plug to prevent the dog from spoiling the grass. 3) it doesn't really do anything, and the makers of the sign were just really, really confused. If so, they aren't the only ones.

In any case, it certainly doesn't seem to involve the litter bags available right below the sign.

Icy Ivy

The day before yesterday, we had a ton of hail. But apparently that's not good enough, because we had snow yesterday morning.

Snow.

In the middle of April.

What's up with that?

The photo above is where it stuck for a bit on some ivy in my backyard. The snow actually lasted for quite some time, but it only stuck a bit on some plants (at least at my house) before it left and was replaced by more hail. Repeatedly. This is really getting old.

Of course, come August when it's in the 90's (F) I'll be yearning for days like today.

Well, Hail

We had a heck of a lot of hail yesterday. It was in the mid-30's (F), and we had a big huge amount of hail. It is spring, right? Because it certainly doesn't seem like it.

My photo above shows part of that large quantity of hail covering my driveway. Guest photographer Moe's photo, at right, shows some lovely tulips with, as Moe put it, a hail garnish.

Right-hand side photo is copyright © Moe. All rights reserved. Do not copy or reproduce in any way without permission of photographer.

Westown Drive

Guest photographer Jordan Lambert sent in this cool HDR shot (here's Wikipedia definition of HDR) of Westown Drive, the Westown area of Stayton. His description of the photo:

This shot was taken April 17th, 2008, when we had some sun clearings after I got home from work. It is facing South on Westown Drive around 6:45pm. My son and I were out in the front yard/sidewalk and usually he stops to pose and look at the camera but I caught him mid stride/thought perfectly. I love how the clouds look in this shot.

Thanks, Jordan, for sharing this lovely image.

Photo is copyright © Jordan W Lambert VI. All rights reserved. Do not copy or reproduce in any way without permission of photographer.

I'm Going Where You Can't Follow

This cute little gray squirrel was hanging around Pioneer Park yesterday, roaming all over the place. I had to follow this grey him or her around for quite some time before I was able to get a (fairly) decent shot, even if it is a bit blurry. He (or she) just wasn't interested in holding still.

He (or she) kept looking back at me, and at one point he (or she) turned around and shook his tail at me. I think he (or she) was telling me to stay back. I did. After all, squirrelz gots skillz (see video proof: video one and video two, both on YouTube).

Turbo

I spotted this backhoe in the parking lot of the swimming pool on W. Virginia St. the other day and thought it looked... well, cheerful, what with the yellow and the sunlight coming through the trees. So there ya go. A backhoe. Yay.

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival II

As promised, I've posted several more photos from the tulip festival I attended on Saturday (see also yesterday's post) to my Flickr photoset.

If anyone is anywhere near the Woodburn area, be sure to check out this festival before it ends on the 27th. There's a kids' area, booths, food, not to mention acres and acres of gorgeous flowers. It was my first time attending the festival, but hopefully it won't be the last.

I am so glad I was able to borrow a macro lens that day... it just made it that much better.

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

On Saturday I attended the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival outside of Woodburn, a town about 40 minutes from Stayton.

The festival (visit their site) is a beautiful display of over 40 acres of tulips, plus other flowers I didn't have the opportunity to go photograph. It's a big place. Mt. Hood (pictured above) sat serenely of the background, while helicopters and small airplanes took turns taking in the sights.

I was able to borrow a macro lens from the Canon/Pro Photo Supply booth for a few hours, which made me a very happy camper. One day I shall get a macro lens of my very own.

I've uploaded part of the photos I took to a Flickr photoset. I'll be uploading more later today, and will likely post another photo or two from the festival for tomorrow's post.

Thanks to my friend Steve for letting me tag along to the festival. You can view some of his shots from the festival on his Pbase.com site.

Holm Building

Guest photographer Dave Nielson from StaytonEvents.com provided us with today's image. It's a great shot of the Holm Building on 2nd Ave, incorporating some spring-blooming tulips.

Be sure to check out his web site for another image of the Holm Building, plus several other photos from the Stayton area, plus a constantly updated schedule of events in town.

Thanks, Dave, for the lovely contribution.

Photo is copyright © Dave Nielson. All rights reserved. Do not copy or reproduce in any way without permission of photographer.

Diversion Dam

Guest photographer Moe sent in this picture of the diversion dam east of town where the power canal gets water. I don't think I've ever seen this dam, so I appreciate Moe sending it in.

Thanks, Moe!

Photo is copyright © Moe. All rights reserved. Do not copy or reproduce in any way without permission of photographer.

Mt. Jefferson

Guest photographer Hugo sent in this absolutely gorgeous photo of Mt. Jefferson, as seen from fairly nearby Detroit. Fairly nearby, in this case, is about 50 miles, but it's a popular recreation spot for those who live here in the Willamette Valley. With beautiful scenes like this, it's easy to see why.

Be sure to visit Hugo's blog, My Left Nut.

Thanks, Hugo!

Photo is copyright © Hugo. All rights reserved. Do not copy or reproduce in any way without permission of photographer.

Tie One On

From the truly random file comes this photo of a bit of rope tied to a wire fence. The fence surrounds an empty lot next to the DMV just off of 1st Ave.

Aren't you glad you visited today? It just doesn't get any more exciting than this. ;)

On A Bed Of Blossoms

So, I've threat... er, mentioned recently I'd probably be posting more cherry blossom photos, seeing that it's spring and all. But today's blossoms come with an added bonus -- a bee. There were several bees hanging around the blossoms (the buzzing was kind of loud, actually... maybe there was a nest nearby?), and this one didn't care when flung my arm out in order to hover my camera a couple of inches from him and snapped a few pictures.

This was at the base of a tree, where there were scattered petals, etc. I was glad he got down to my level for the photo. Such a nice bee.

The photo was taken at Neitling Park, for those who may care about such things.

Until I Die

It's time once again to visit my favorite trees in Stayton, a group of oak trees near the hospital, off of 10th Ave. The last time I posted a shot of them was in December (visit that page for links to my other photos of the trees).

True To Form

Um, so, yeah, this is another photo of spring blossoms. But they're all over town! It's not my fault! They call to me like a siren's song! :)

I took this at Neitling Park. Most of the blossom trees there are yet to bloom, but when they do... well, don't be surprised if you see more blossom tree photos before spring is through.

Oh Industry

A few months ago I posted a photo of part of the cannery here in Stayton for the February 1st city daily photo theme day. I've been wanting to get a better photo of the cannery since then, and for whatever reason, I ended up doing it close to sunset.

There's still quite a bit more to the cannery which can be seen from the street, and I'm sure more which can't. The cannery sits on Washington St.

Watercolor

Today's photo is a bit of sunset reflected in a bit of water at the south end of 4th Ave. It reminds me of a watercolor painting.

Princely

I spotted this lovely old Chevrolet Bel Air in a parking lot the other day. It was too pretty not to take its picture. I have no idea what year it is... I only know it's a Bel Air because of an emblem on the side.

Heading Home

Those of you viewing the photo above with binoculars would be able to see an itty bitty airplane. It's not where the contrail is... a bit below it, actually. Depending on how good your eyes are, you might see a black speck without any magnification.

If you forgot to bring your binoculars with you today, click on the image, choose 'all sizes', and then click on 'original.' It's not all that big, either, but it's bigger than the version above.

I took this last night from the hill beside the hospital on 10th Ave.

A Leak In The Plumbing

Guest photographer Moe (he of the green beard for St. Patrick's Day fame) called this a leak in his plumbing. The photo was actually taken behind the old power station at the end of 3rd Avenue. I've never been back there, so it's great to get a view from there.

Thanks, Moe!

Photo is copyright © Moe. All rights reserved. Do not copy or reproduce in any way without permission of photographer.

Santiam Golf Course

Guest photographer Theresa Smith of D'Tail Pet Grooming provided us with this lovely image taken at the Santiam Golf Course on Golf Club Rd. (visit the golf course's web site).

Thanks to Theresa for sharing her photos! Be sure to visit her blog filled with adorable photos of adorable puppies.

Photos are copyright © Theresa Smith. All rights reserved. Do not copy or reproduce in any way without permission of photographer.

DP Theme Day: Water

It's time once again for the City Daily Photo theme day. This month's theme is water. My post of hail yesterday could have passed, and I considered using it, but in the end decided to go with a shot I took of my Yahama scooter after it had taken a rain bath.

As an added bonus, the photo at right was taken at the same location, but during the day, also after it rained, though it's harder to tell since light isn't glinting off the drops like the photo above.

Rain is a fairly common occurrence here in Oregon, and occasionally I have to ride my scooter in the rain. True Oregonians are web-footed, though, so it's okay. Kinda. :)

I took this in the parking lot of the Safeway grocery store on 1st Ave.

Take a look at the other folks participating in today's theme day, for their various interpretations of the "water" theme:

theme day id=13

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Gordio, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,