New Phenomenon

We all know about the crop circles that mysteriously appear in farmer's fields around the world but not many people know about a strange phenomenon that takes place in Stewart Park in Roseburg, Oregon during the summer months. Every Tuesday morning starting about 6am, blankets and quilts start popping up on the ground on a hill in the park. They start early and by 9am the hill is covered in a colorful patchwork design.



The ground covering remains on the hill all day, rain or shine.



By 6pm that evening, people rush to their saved spots on the hill to watch the Tuesday night summer concert, Music On The Half Shell.

This tradition has been going on for 16 years, almost as long as the free summer concerts have been going on. People used to start showing up in the middle of the night to stake their spot with a blanket but the parks department said they have to wait until dawn now.

It says a lot about our small town that few blankets are ever taken even though they are left there all day and no one is there to watch them. People even leave folding chairs out.

Boats 'n' Floats

Back to the coast again. These were shot on the docks of Newport, Oregon

Curious Rhea

Evil Emu... I'm practicing for Halloween

The Gatherer

Watchful Gulls

More of that beautiful blue water. Looking at the shadows of the gulls you can tell just about the time of day this photo was taken.

Washed Ashore

I loved the look of this dead tree that washed ashore as driftwood. And it makes me wonder how a whole tree with the trunk and branches and roots still attached could wash up on shore.

I mentioned before that the water at the coast last weekend was a brillient
blue. There is no editing to the color of the water here.

Scrapy Heron

I'm used to seeing herons looking sleek, prim and proper. I guess beach herons look more like beach bums... a bit scrapy and wind blown.



Another shot showing his friend


What you see in the water and on the rocks is not oil slick, but kelp.

Oregon Shores

Saturday at the coast the skies and the water were mostly grey but Sunday with just a little sun the water was a brillient blue. I loved both the greys and the blues but Sunday made better photos.

Cape Perpetua

Another beautiful scene on the Oregon coast.



"Situated between Newport and Florence along Highway 101, Cape Perpetua continually draws visitors with incredible views, magnificent forests, and all-out beauty in many forms. Encompassing approximately 2700 acres of land, the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area boasts twice the botanical mass, per square acre, as the Amazon jungle in South America."

Cap Armstrong

The Trespasser

I had a wonderful time at the coast. The weather was perfect.. cool and partly overcast. We even got a little rain. I haven't had time to download all the photos but I think I got some good shots. Here is one that made me laugh.

Bandon Storm

I'm still longing for cooler, cloudy , foggy weather. Its supposed to rain at the coast this afternoon so I'm headed up to Newport. I'm hoping the weather is like this photo that I took from my archives and did a quick, over-processing edit.

Not sure if I'll stay overnight but I might if it looks like a possible sunset in the making.

Flight at Sunset

Bee on Yellow Flower

I'm so so so tired of summer. I can't get out and get any decent photos when there is nothing but bright sun all day. I dug through my archives for this shot.

Floral Wagon

I took a picture of this waqon full of flowers last year too. It is next to a local produce stand. If you want to see last year's photo click on the "wagon" link below.

Tomatoes

The tomatoes were late starting to ripen this year. These cherry tomatoes are my favorites. They taste best standing in the garden picking and eating them right there.

My Own Butterfly Take Two

This is the same butterfly as the one last week but with his wings spread. If you want to see the first photo click on the butterfly link below.

Grapes

Our grapes were growing wildly so my husband built this grape arbor to contain them a few months ago. Now we've discovered its a nice place to sit in the cool shade in the evenings.

From The Grotto

This isn't a new photo. I found it when I was looking through some photo in my archives.

Fountain

Its a bird... Its a Plane...

Its SUPER Bee!

I couldn't believe how much pollen this little guy was carrying on his legs. I'm surprised he could even fly.

My Own Butterfly...Finally

Some of you might remember my "fake" butterfly last month. This one is my very own though. The first decent shot I've ever had of a real live butterfly. Isn't it beautiful?

If you want to see my "fake" butterfly, click on the butterfly link below.

Across The Field

In My Dreams

A couple weeks ago I was out shooting and noticed these flowers next to a produce stand. I stopped to take some shots but it was windy and the flowers were moving so much I knew I couldn't get a clear shot. Today I pulled them up and sure enough the clarity was way off but I liked the composition and the old building behind them.

I played with this one for awhile but I couldn't get it sharp enough without it looking over processed. So I decided if I couldn't get it sharper I would run with the blur.. and I really like the effect.

Hokey Pokey

The Hokey Pokey is a silly song with body actions that is sang in several parts of he world but sometimes with different lyrics.

It goes something like this...

You put your left foot in, you take your left foot out, you put your left foot in and you shake it all about. You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around.. thats what its all about.



You put your right foot in, you take your right foot out, you put your right foot in and you shake it all about. You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around.. thats what its all about.



You put your whole self in, you take your whole self out, you put your whole self in and you shake it all about. You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around.. thats what its all about.



You do the Hoooookey Pokey
You do the Hoooookey Pokey
You do the Hoooookey Pokey
Thats what its all about!!

Still Standing

I discovered another old abandoned building covered with blackberry vines. This one actually seems to be in pretty good shape.

I especially like the willow tree on the right.

Recently I have wondered how it is that every old abandoned building is covered with blackberry vines. Its not as if blackberries are everywhere in Oregon. I've decided there are blackberry elves who scout around for abandoned buildings and when they find one they call in an elf crew to plant the berry vines around it.

Chicken Soup For The Weary Soul

I posted one verson of this shot earlier this year. I just felt the need to post something quiet and peaceful tonight. This version is reworked from the one in January.

A Rose For Tears

No fun posts tonight. This rose represents tears and prayers for the people and their families who were involved in the Minneapolis bridge collapse tonight. It also represents praise, thanks and prayers for the rescuers and medical staff and all others involved.