12 Days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge - Day 2: Cozy 📷
This is where I post from, and where I spend 90% of my time when home. Most of my stuff now fits in this one room. Some might call it cluttered, but for me, it’s cozy.
“The Clouds Parted”
I came out of the trees and the scene ahead was so dramatically lit that I had to stop for photos.
“Puddle”
It was gray and drizzly this morning in Eugene, making me thankful that I now have a weather-sealed camera body to play with. Also grateful to have found beauty in the mud.
12 Days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge - Day 1: Frost 📷
Heavy fog had condensed into these extravagant ice crystals at the side of the road as I hiked between trailheads.
This is Lower Island Lake, because, yes, that tree is on an island (which at the moment is surrounded by ice). And yes, there is an Upper Island Lake right nearby.
“Perseverance”
I have a photo of this exact same tree (along the Fuji Mountain Trail) from two years ago. It hasn’t grown much, but I’m pleased to see that it’s still hanging on just fine.
“I Want to Grow Up Just Like You”
A patch of sun where an old tree went down has enabled this new tree to start up.
“Above and Below”
Weather was lovely yesterday, but the ice on the ponds says winter is really here.
“Spider House”
This little gal worked hard to make a home under a mushroom. Only the fog and sun made all that work visible.
“Song Dog”
This coyote was hanging out right next to the trail at Mount Pisgah, and barely moved even when people and dogs came down the trail. At the closest I was only a dozen feet away. I suspect it’s been acclimated to people by being fed.
It was a dreary foggy day when I started hiking, but halfway up Mount Pisgah I broke out of the fog layer into a lovely day. It was clear enough to see Middle and South Sister (on the horizon to the left), which is rare in this location.
“Washed Out”
Believe it or not, this is a color photo. I love most everything about it: the way the fog softened and desaturated everything in view, the shape of the tree and weeds, even the ghostly telephone poles in the back. Photos like this make me think I’m getting better at the craft.
“Alien Landing Pad”
Or maybe not. I don’t know who flagged this plot on Mount Pisgah or why, but they clearly wanted the boundaries to be very evident.
Our dog, being less camera-shy than usual, because after that last rant-post I need something calming.
Big Tech warned over AI ‘delusional’ outputs by US attorneys general
(a) Go get ‘em! (b) I doubt this will do any more good that pointing out that Uber and AirBnB grew by systematically breaking existing laws. It’s not implausible that VC-backed big tech shares a huge chunk of responsibility for the current American culture of just ignoring laws you don’t like.
“The Coast”
This was last fall, looking out from Heceta Head south along the Oregon Coast. Looking at photos like this gives me the urge to just get in the car and go repeat the hike.
“Almost There”
I blew past this guy on the trail up Spencer Butte. He was clearly on the struggle bus. But he made it to the top, and good for him.
We visited the Cascades Raptor Center this morning. Shooting through wire mesh so not the best picture ever, but this guy was still pretty impressive. Like the other birds in residence, he’s not suited for life in the wild - in this case because raised by (possibly well-meaning) humans when young.
Just wanted to express my appreciation that micro.blog/discover is getting regular updates these days. I’m guessing that’s @BonnieRue ’s doing, but even if I’m wrong and the updates are just sprinkled in by magical unicorn fairies I still like seeing them!
“Quiet”
This is the Blue Pool on the McKenzie River Trail, from last year about this time. I wish I was up there today, instead of at home.
