This is a rare time when the post is coming on the actual date I took the photo. One of the things I love about where I work is the attention paid to making sure we have a nice environment that is pleasant to come to. We have a lot of beautiful flowering trees that burst into color in the spring. The combination of the blue sky and the white flowers were too lovely not to share right away.
I often see seagulls on the Columbia River – which is always a little odd because I’m rather far inland (many hours!). One morning there was a huge flock in the middle of campus – a rare sight for me! Like a kid, I had to startle them into flying and then I captured this with my phone camera. I guess the phone camera is why there are shadow birds in the image, but I think it looks cool.
Not all the animals I see while I’m out are wildlife or barn animals. In fact I see a lot of dogs but they are usually barking and running and not interested in posing for a photo. This cat was enjoying a sunny spot and watching me carefully. Technically I suppose it could be a barn cat, but it didn’t look like it was into working.
At one horsepower, this is clearly not a violation.
It was an overcast day during a recent outing. As I walked by a large stand of birch trees I enjoyed the nearly black-and-white effect even though the world was still in color (and so is this photo).
While I walk by the Columbia River in the mornings, I see a lot of different wildlife. Usually it’s birds – a wide variety in fact. However, sometimes I see adorable rabbits. Every single time I see one I squeal BUNNY! . … Because I’m five when I see a rabbit.
During a recent walk by the Columbia River before work I spotted a heron on a rock, head moving to and fro, looking for breakfast. Though I wish I had my camera with large lens, he was still nicely silhouetted against the river. You will want to click to get the large version of these photos or he will just be a dot on your screen…
I finally went for a walk with my “real camera” in tow. Mind you, I now have a real camera because my mother got a new camera for Christmas and I now have her old one – plus a big lens and superb tripod and carrying case. I still need to figure out how best to carry it all and not ruin my back and neck, but I am so happy that I carried it on this particular day. I walked by a ranch that has a small herd (if that’s the right term) of goats. They are so attentive as I walk by but are usually far from the road where I am walking. This day, however, they were very close to the road and the little kids decided to show off by climbing all over a wood pile (and they enjoyed eating bark, too).
I caught this one in a rather unflattering moment, but it makes me laugh so I decided to share it with you:
Apparently bark is tasty. I shall let them have it though. Interestingly, the adult goats were focused on grass (but all I ever saw was the back of them so no photos this time…)
Based on the adults, when these kids grow up they will have fine beards that will swing gently to and fro when they turn around to look at the strange humans walking by.
Every weekday when I am working from my office I try to get there early and spend my first hour walking. In fact when I don’t do this I find my day doesn’t go as well. That early walk is a great time for my brain to wander and for me to simply enjoy the scenery. It helps me keep everything in perspective, I think. This may be true in part because I have the privilege of walking by the Columbia River at sunrise, and it is a glorious sight.
note the duck wakes!
I had a bit of a surprise as I was out walking – I knew this small ranch had several adult cows/steers, but I hadn’t spotted this sweet calf before. He had wandered into the nearby trees and was sampling bark as a meal.
When he heard the camera he spotted me. We had a short staring contest before he decided to go back to snacking.
@KellyOSullivan 