Early Morning

I took this very early one morning (before 6am) just as it was starting to get light prior to the sun making its first appearance for the day. It looks out over a farm on E. Santiam St.

I am anything but a morning person, so I want you to fully appreciate the sacrifice I made to be out at that time of day. ;)

Torn

This bit of sunset two nights ago was situated between clouds and the ground, looking like it was being torn from the sky. This was taken at the corner of 3rd Ave. and Fern Ridge Rd.

A Welcome Change

I took the above two nights ago. We've had rather warm summer weather recently, so the clouds (and accompanying breeze) were a welcome change.

I would also like to point out the picture is flipped horizontally, which I just noticed. I can't replace it on the server it's presently hosted, so just pretend it's flipped the other way. :)

After The Sun Goes Down

I took the above just after I took yesterday's photo, about an hour after sunset. Both photos used 30 second exposures to get the various colors still visible in the sky, since full dark hadn't yet set in.

For I Must Be Traveling On

I still haven't had much of an opportunity to go out and take photos, so here we are with another sunset. I'm hoping to get out today to take photos of something or other. I have no idea what that something or other is as of yet. But, then, I rarely do.

A Bit Of Sunset

The weather the last couple of days has been kind of icky, so here's a wee bit of a sunset I took a few days ago from the corner of 3rd and Fern Ridge Rd.

Enter Night

I want to apologize for posting two sunset photos within a week of each other (see also: Golden). The weather has finally warmed up enough for me to go out during the evenings on my scooter sometimes, and I can't resist taking sunset photos. At least it's a different type of sunset, in terms of color, framing, etc.

I took this near the corner of 3rd Ave. and Fern Ridge Rd.

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.

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.

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.

Silver Falls In Green

Guest photographer Ronda Faught sent these lovely images taken at Silver Falls State Park, which is about 17 miles from Stayton. The top photo is of North Falls, while the photo at right is of water cascading down a hillside. All the moss is just beautiful.

Be sure to visit Ronda's web site for more of her awesome photography.

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

State Capitol With Trees In Bloom

Guest photographer Moe sent me this beautiful photo he took a few years ago of the Oregon State Capitol Building with the trees in full bloom. I thought it a lovely image to include in our little Salem tour. It's a nice reminder that spring blooms are just around the corner.

Thanks, Moe, for showing us something most of us probably don't see every day. :)

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

Snow Fields

I took the above shot near where Fern Ridge Rd. meets Highway 22. It's scenes like this that make me forget the mess snow and ice makes for driving and the like, because nature is just so darned pretty.

In The Distance

Earlier this month I posted a photo of some hills outside of Stayton which can be seen from town. I wasn't very happy with the photo, as it was somewhat blurry and the color was all wrong. I had cropped out the trees in the lower part of the photo because they came out very dark.

So I decided to reshoot the photo, this time using a tripod, a polarizing filter (to get the color right), and a different lens. It's basically the same view, but the results are fairly different.

For those who care, I took this on a small street just off of the east end of E. Santiam St.

Misty River

According to the Travel Oregon web site, the Roaring River near Scio is the only river to flow into a creek instead of the other way around. The photo above is just after the river and the creek, Crabtree Creek, come together.

This rather spiffy geological oddity sits right next to the Larwood covered bridge. I took several photos of the water the day I was there. I discovered I really like taking pictures of flowing water. It's all my friend Steve's fault.

I have a brief video of the area, showing where the creek and river merge and the nearby covered bridge. It's about 20 seconds long.

Click on the thumbnails below to see more wet and wild water:

Snow In The Hills

This view is looking out past Stayton to some hills. They are, in fact, the same hills I posted back in November (taken from almost the same spot), only with snow on them this time.

I wish I could have included more of the hills in the shot, but there were a bunch of trees in the way, so this was the best I could do.

Snow at Detroit Lake

We have another guest photographer today! Theresa Smith sent some beautiful photos she took at Detroit Lake, which is a little over 30 miles up Santiam Canyon from Stayton. It's a very popular recreation area for people who live here in the Willamette Valley.

Theresa owns D'-Tail Pet Grooming here in Stayton on Washington St.

More photos from the Detroit Lake area:

 

If you want more info on Detroit Lake, visit the Oregon State Park info site.

Thanks to Theresa for sharing her photos!

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

Down By The Water's Edge

This is the small canal which runs alongside E Water St. It's such a little area (less than a city block long), but I find myself going back there from time to time to take pictures (see here, here, and here). Since Stayton's rather small, I try to each photo from repeated areas as different as I can.

I keep thinking I'll run out of things to photograph, and some days I go out and can't find anything to really inspire me. But then other days things click, and then I click (the camera's shutter), and it works out. This winter's going to be tough, though, since the weather's expected to be less than lovely. We'll see what happens.

Wide Open Spaces

I like today's photo for what isn't there... a house, business, or other structure that might take away or obscure the beauty of the trees, the field, and the sky.

Technically, there is a road running through the picture (Wilco Rd.), and sign is visible, but both are barely noticeable, so let's not quibble over details.

Way Over Yonder

Today's photo was taken from the cemetery on 3rd, which sits on a hill. It affords probably the best view out over town... what little you can see of it, that is. There are a bazillion (more or less) trees in Stayton, so the view is mostly blocked.

The tall lights visible are from the one of the high school's football field, though I''m not sure which one. The hill is outside of town somewhere. That line running diagonally is a telephone wire. The photo was taken near sunset.

Farm Fields

These are some farm fields, looking past Highway 22 where it meets Fern Ridge Rd. There are a lot of rural areas outside of Stayton's city limits, as these fields (just barely) are.

I wish I could photograph more of them, but my little scooter isn't allowed, as it doesn't go fast enough to be on those roads. I took this one from some distance away.

Through Yonder Trees Doth Hill Does Break

... Or something like that. Anyway, this was taken looking east out of town past some trees towards some tree covered hills. There are a lot of trees in this photo. There are a lot of trees in and around Stayton. I love trees. Trees make me happy.

I have the sudden desire to go outside and hug a tree. But I won't... at least, not until I've finished this post.

Silver Creek At Silver Falls State Park

Guest photographer time! Today's photo is from Ronda Faught from nearby Sublimity. She's sent along this lovely shot of Silver Creek above the north falls at Silver Falls State Park. Be sure to check out the guest photographers page for more photos from Ronda and others.

Thanks to Ronda for another beautiful photo!

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

Under The Sky

Down at the east end of Jefferson St. lies a nifty field and some nifty trees, with a nifty hill (or possibly a mountain... I'm not sure) peeking through those nifty trees. Not to mention a nifty sky.

I'm always a sucker for open spaces. They make me feel little less confined. I find myself appreciating them more and more, since there are fewer and fewer of them around each day. This field is right next to a new residential development. I wonder how long it will be before the field and trees give way to houses and streets.

Field & Trees

Wilco Rd. is mostly industrial, but at the north end (across from the requisite McDonald's) there is a big ol' field with some big ol' trees. I like big ol' fields and trees. They make me happy. Anywhere there's a patch of land without a bunch of houses or businesses on it is all good in my book.

Oh, and for those who may care (and since I mentioned it yesterday) -- I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It rocked. A great ending to a great series. I can't believe I managed to read a 759 page book that quickly, though. Sleep? Who needs sleep?

Beautiful Sunset

Guest photographer Ronda Faught has provided us with two gorgeous views of the sunset over the Stayton/Sublimity area two nights ago.

Click on both images to see them full-size.

Thanks, as always, to Ronda for her beautiful photos.

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

Blue & Orange

Just a sunset for today. I set out last night to take some photos, but my scooter decided to behave badly, so this is as far as I made it.

Minor rant time... feel free to skip it:

To those folks in two separate cars on 3rd Ave. who parked right near where my scooter was broken down last night and I was attempting to change the spark plug -- I appreciate you not asking if I need help. That really made my night.

Fly Like An Eagle

It's actually a crow, but let's not quibble over details.

We had really icky weather yesterday, so today I'm posting a photo I took the other day of a (mostly) blue sky to remind me what one looks like.

Yep. Okay, I'm good now. Carry on.

;)

Bench Reflection

I went to my favorite duck pond yesterday. The ducks were elsewhere waddling around the area, so I took some photos of the pond itself instead. The bench next to the water provided for a pretty setting and reflection in the water.

I would have gone over and sat on the bench for a spell, but it's in somebody's yard and I doubt they would have been very happy with me. :)

Sometimes Beauty Is On The Outside

Here's another photo from Friday's sunrise (see also yesterday's photo). Same basic location, just looking in a slightly different direction. I really like the silhouettes of the trees.

Sky Power

Sunrise, yesterday morning. There are a lot of trees in town, so finding a spot where the sunrise can be seen is tough. I finally found this at the end of Fern Ridge Rd., near where it crosses Highway 22. I like the pattern the power lines create against the sky.

A Bridge Not Too Far

This little scene sits between a couple of office buildings on 3rd Avenue. The bridge is part of 4th Ave. It's rather nifty to be able to see sights like this in the middle of downtown.

Under the Sun

I know I've posted sunset photos the last two days, but I'm posting yet another one because... well, because I can.

This one was taken looking out over the parking lot at the hospital on 10th Ave. So that's what is under the sun. A parking lot. With cars in it. :)

After Sunset

Here's another shot of the late evening sky (and a handy link to the photo I posted yesterday).

For those who care, the photos were taken on the corner of 3rd Ave. and Fern Ridge Rd. If you want to see a sunset, that's probably the best place to go in town.

Sunset Stripe

I saw the above last night and thought I'd share my happy little find. The sky was overcast and it was sprinkling, but this beautiful stripe of golden hue was peeking out along the horizon.

Fence Posts

I'm apparently on a 'rural' photo kick. Today's photo was taken on E. Santiam St. of some fence posts bordering a field, and a house sitting prettily behind them.

Nature's Gold

It's been raining a lot lately, so I thought I'd post a photo of a happier time, when the sky was filled with golden hues from a sun I can now only vaguely remember.

Oneonta Gorge

Guest photographer Tom Grimes of Gresham took the beautiful photo above of Oneonta Gorge in the Columbia River Gorge along the northern border of Oregon. His description:

This is a photo taken of Oneonta Gorge in the Columbia River Gorge. You can only visit during the summer low water. The first challenge is climbing over the log jam that blocks the canyon. Then you wade up the creek to the falls.

Thank you, Tom, for making the trek and taking this lovely photo.

Photo is Copyright © Tom Grimes. All rights reserved. Do not copy, redistribute, or modify without permission of photographer.

Walk Along the Water

Finding a map which names the bodies of water around Stayton ain't easy. I've found two different topography maps which seem to have conflicting information. Or I just don't understand how to read them. Or both.

Anyway, the water in the photo above is either something called 'main canal' (of what, I don't know, but it's near 'lateral canal'... at least, according to one of the maps), or it's an offshoot of the Santiam River. I think. It could be a very large and persistent puddle for all know.

It runs along Wilderness Park, which sits behind Pioneer Park in Stayton.

Beautiful End To A Great Day

We have another photo from guest photographer Ronda Faught! This time it's a lovely photo she took a few days ago in nearby Springfield. Thanks again for sharing, Ronda.

Click here for more images from Ronda and other guest photographers.

Photo is Copyright © Ronda Faught. All rights reserved. Do not copy, redistribute, or modify without permission of photographer.

Three Sisters

Three Sisters Mountains from Monument peak on a beautiful June day

We have another gorgeous photo from the talented Ronda Faught, this time of the Three Sisters mountains in the Cascade Mountain Range. You can read more about the Three Sisters at Wikipedia.

Thanks as always to Ronda for contributing such beautiful photos.

Photo is Copyright © Ronda Faught. All rights reserved. Do not copy, redistribute, or modify without permission of photographer.

Mount Jefferson

Mt. Jefferson from Monument peak on a beautiful June day

We have another stunning photo from guest photographer Ronda Faught! Mt. Jefferson is in the nearby Cascade Mountain Range, which lie east of Stayton, and is the second highest mountain in Oregon (source: Wikipedia). Ronda took this photo from Monument Peak, also in the Cascades.

On a clear day, Mt. Jefferson can be seen from certain parts of Stayton.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing another photo Ronda sent in of the Three Sisters mountains. Be sure to check back, because it's another beauty.

Photo is Copyright © Ronda Faught. All rights reserved. Do not copy, redistribute, or modify without permission of photographer.