When I started this Photo-a-Day project on Jan 1 2006 I really didn’t think I could keep it up for a full year. I’m not great at sticking with things I start because I easily get bored and move on to something else.
I’ve been taking digital photos for about 4 years but have always considered myself average and had no idea anyone else would be interested in seeing my photos.
When you, dear viewers, first started saying good things about my work, I thought “they’re just being nice”. When you started telling me I was a good photographer, I thought “they just haven’t seen GOOD photography”. When I first started the blog, I wasn’t concerned with quality so much, but just getting something posted. But you kept coming back to see what I was doing and you kept telling me I was good and because I didn’t want to disappoint you I kept trying harder to turn out better work.
I have learned so much in the past year and I do believe I am a better photographer now than I was this time last year. You guys are a huge part of the reason for that. Thanks so much for all your comments, support and encouragement over the year. You really have made a difference.
Happy New Year! Here’s to another great year for all of us.
Here are some of my favorites for 2006.
These collages were created with LumaPix FotoFusion. You can download a free trial version here
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Happy Barn
Friday, December 29, 2006
What? Me Worry?
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christy and Raymon
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Christmas Party in The Fog
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
American Bald Eagle
I was in the right place at the right time again today. This beautiful wild eagle was sitting on this dead tree right next to the road. I snapped photos for about 15 minutes, hoping to catch him taking off but I finally had to leave and he was still sitting there. There was another eagle sitting across the road and they were calling to one another.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Face Rock in Bandon
Legend has it (from the Nah-So-Mah tribe) that Ewanua, a beautiful Indian princess was visiting tribes along the coastline with her father, Chief Siskiyou. While the local tribes lived in constant fear of Seatka, the evil spirit of the ocean, Ewanua and the other members of her mountain-born tribe held no fear of the evil one. Following a great feast set in celebration of their visit, Euwana carried her pets (one dog and a mother cat and her kittens) out to the edge of the sea with her before swimming far out from shore.
All of a sudden, a fearsome creature grabbed her, and Komax, her dog, fearing for Ewanua's life swam out into the dark water and bit Seatka. Hurt and furious with the animal, Seatka kicked off the dog and threw it, along with the cat and her kittens, out into the sea. Filled with rage over losing her beloved pets and knowing the power that lay in Seatka's eyes, Ewanua from then on, refused to look directly at him. Today, she lies in the ocean, looking skyward, continuing her refusal to look into Seatka's eyes, who sits nearby. Her beloved Komax, her cat and the kittens lie to the west of her, waiting in vain for their mistress to arise from the cold ocean.
The rock shaping the face of Ewanua is now called Face Rock
Since pod was the first one to say this looked like a face I declare him the winner :) Pod if you send me an email with your address I will mail you your prize. Yay POD!!
I was very sure everyone would know it looks exactly like a face. Once you see it, you can't see it any other way.
These rocks are the dog, cat and kittens of the brave Indian Princess
All of a sudden, a fearsome creature grabbed her, and Komax, her dog, fearing for Ewanua's life swam out into the dark water and bit Seatka. Hurt and furious with the animal, Seatka kicked off the dog and threw it, along with the cat and her kittens, out into the sea. Filled with rage over losing her beloved pets and knowing the power that lay in Seatka's eyes, Ewanua from then on, refused to look directly at him. Today, she lies in the ocean, looking skyward, continuing her refusal to look into Seatka's eyes, who sits nearby. Her beloved Komax, her cat and the kittens lie to the west of her, waiting in vain for their mistress to arise from the cold ocean.
The rock shaping the face of Ewanua is now called Face Rock
Since pod was the first one to say this looked like a face I declare him the winner :) Pod if you send me an email with your address I will mail you your prize. Yay POD!!
I was very sure everyone would know it looks exactly like a face. Once you see it, you can't see it any other way.
These rocks are the dog, cat and kittens of the brave Indian Princess
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Name The Rock
A few weeks ago Olivier had a “name the sculpture” contest. I was one of the winners and received a beautiful postcard from Evry (thanks Olivier). Olivier also suggested that the winner have a similar contest and this post is in response to his suggestion.
This is a rock on the Oregon coast. The first one who can tell me the name of this rock will receive a postcard from Oregon.
This is a rock on the Oregon coast. The first one who can tell me the name of this rock will receive a postcard from Oregon.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Flight Over Bandon
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Festival Of Lights
Ho Ho Ho
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Sandy Creek Bridge and Memories
Sandy Creek (Remote) Covered Bridge
Location:
From Roseburg travel west on Highway 42 approximately 31 miles to Remote. Sandy Creek Bridge is on the north side of Highway 42, 1/4 mile west of the Remote exit.
Background:
The Sandy Creek covered bridge carried traffic on Oregon Highway 42 until it was bypassed in 1949. The 60-foot span was considered short in comparison to other covered bridges built on Oregon highways.
The bridge is strengthened by two crossed Howe truss members on each chord, a rarity in short covered bridges.
An additional aspect of the bridge is the use of large-framed windows on both sides of the structure, maximizing the illumination of the bridge interior.
In late 1981, a plan was developed to make a park at the bridge and use the old wooden structure as a covered picnic site. The Myrtle Point Lions Club adopted the bridge as a major project.
Work at the site began in 1982 and included a new roof, replacing boards and structural pieces, clearing brush and applying a coat of white paint. The park was dedicated in 1984 and now includes a tourist information center at the bridge site.
The nearby community of Remote received its name, it is believed, due to its geographic isolation.
I lived in the tiny community of Remote, Oregon during most of my childhood. It consisted of one store with a post office, the covered bridge and a scattering of houses. The store has been closed for years but I have fond memories of Esther Jennings-Lancaster, who owned the store. She always took time to visit with me even when I was a child. It seemed she knew everything! As an adult, I still stopped to say hi whenever I passed through the area. Her husband, Powell Lancaster, was my 5th grade school teacher.
Photographer Phil Douglis has another photo taken at Remote here
Friday, December 8, 2006
Drift Creek Covered Bridge
Lincoln City, OR. – Covered bridges have always been of historical and photographic interest in Oregon. One of Oregon’s oldest, the Drift Creek Covered Bridge was originally constructed in 1914 on Drift Creek just south and east of Lincoln City, Oregon. Like many wooden bridges, it was covered to extend its usable life past 9 years to about 80 years, the cover keeping the huge truss timbers dry and subject to far less rapid deterioration.
In 1987 the Oregon Legislature established a fund to help preserve Oregon’s covered bridges, but the Drift Creek Bridge was not blessed by the benefits of the fund. In 1997, the Lincoln County Commissioners determined that the bridge’s dangerous deteriorated condition required condemnation and demolition.
It was then that Laura Sweitz and her husband, Kerry, believing that “Life is filled with possibilities,” a motto which now hangs from the bridge, asked for a chance to save it. The Sweitzes offered to salvage what timber could be saved and reconstruct the bridge on their own land on Bear Creek Road in Rose Lodge, just east of Lincoln City. The County Commissioners accepted, and the arduous process of sifting the good wood from the rotted and infested wood began. They harvested replacement wood from their own land using traditional methods, including hand-cutting the shakes for the roof.
Although the lack of funds and volunteer labor frequently delayed the project and disheartened the Sweitzes, in late 1999, the bridge appeared on the cover of a nationwide calendar, and the Oregon Heritage Commission included the bridge project in its “Heritage Needs Assessment.” The calendar gave their hearts a lift and the donation of the mammoth main cord logs by the local Simpson Timber Company furthered their resolve to rebuild the bridge and preserve it for the citizens of and visitors to Oregon.
By July 14, 2001, when the bridge was finally re-dedicated, it gracefully spanned Bear Creek just twelve miles from its original home. More than half the reconstructed bridge is created from original materials, including much of its early graffiti memorializing marriage proposals, love, and the first fish caught. The cornerstone was donated by Taft Masonic Lodge #200.
The Sweitzes gave the bridge and the land upon which it rests to Lincoln County and embraced with open arms the opportunity to share it with visitors 365 days a year. It now stands as a memorial to its pioneer builders, from both this century and last, and a unique and serene place for visitors to enjoy.
And Visitors are welcome 365 days per year. For all they have given, the Sweitzes, who live only a few yards from the bridge, ask in return only that visitors respect their privacy and their need for quiet. To get there, travel east of Lincoln City, OR, on Highway 18. Approximately 3.5 miles east of the Otis Café turn south on North Bear Creek Road. Proceed about one mile. The Bridge is on the left.
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Just For A Laugh
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Peace In The Valley
Monday, December 4, 2006
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Snow and Barn
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Phantom Mountain
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
More Snow
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
WE GOT SNOW!!!!
Monday, November 27, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Spanish Moss Fantasy
Yesterday I drove out on a country road I had yet to explore, looking for old barns. I did find a couple cool barns, but I also found a fantasy land made of Spanish Moss and lichen. This appeared to be an old, abandoned apple orchard. I think the trees with the Spanish Moss were oak trees. The moss was draped like garland across some of the trees. On others it was hanging straight down to the ground. No Christmas tree was ever more beautiful….
Friday, November 24, 2006
Oregon Coast.. wishing I was there
I was wishing I could head to the coast this weekend but I don't think its going to be so I dug out a photo from last summer.
I also discovered how to have larger photos on here. Instead of uploading this photo to Blogger, I uploaded it to Flickr and linked from there. This is cool and the Flickr account is free.
I also discovered how to have larger photos on here. Instead of uploading this photo to Blogger, I uploaded it to Flickr and linked from there. This is cool and the Flickr account is free.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Black Tail Fawn
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Gobble, Gobble, Gobble
Two days until Thanksgiving in the US. Turkey is traditionally on the American Thanksgiving menu. While I was processing these photos to post, I thought about a song I learned about 50 years ago.
I heard Mr Turkey say
Gobble, gobble, gobble
Soon will be Thanksgiving Day
Gobble, gobble, gobble
People say it is great fun
But I think that I shall run
And hide until the day is done
Gobble, gobble, gobble
I heard Mr Turkey say
Gobble, gobble, gobble
Soon will be Thanksgiving Day
Gobble, gobble, gobble
People say it is great fun
But I think that I shall run
And hide until the day is done
Gobble, gobble, gobble
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