Childlike Reliance

"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"  (Matthew 19:14)

Twin Rocks Sunset

The Twin Rocks area on the North coast of Oregon

Tillamook Bay Silhouette

Amazing Pear Blossom

Yesterday afternoon our 2 year old grandson and I took an exploration walk in the backyard. While identifying various things I held him up to this pear blossom. When you think about it, isn't it amazing that this will turn into a pear?  It's more evidence from the One who loves us very much!

Big Driftwood

Flowering Cherry

We have three of these trees in our front courtyard. Every year at this time we get to watch as these crimson blossoms open up and change first to pink and then white.  The whole event takes a about a week or so.  The temperature Wednesday was in the low 70's so these little beauties really popped out. It was rainy and overcast when I took these images yesterday afternoon. They're not as bright as I'd like. Stay tuned for more of their progression.

"Sail-gull"

When we were at the coast this last weekend we took a walk on the beach with our son and his family. The wind was blowing hard against our backs as we walked north along the shore. This seagull was flying against the wind and basically "floating".  He was gently flapping his wings but kind of in neutral. Soon after the shot above he crossed over in front of us and floated closer on the right. I managed to get a shot but it has a slight blur. In the G10's LCD it looked great but Photoshop revealed the truth. The longer I look at it though the more it seems like a painting.

Apple Tree Crook

I was mowing the lawn yesterday and the afternoon sunlight hitting the crook in this apple tree caught my attention. This tree is well over 20 years old and still producing fruit.

When you think about it, it's amazing that food grows on trees! I'm not talking about the moss naturally, but rather the juicy apples we'll have.

I was going to title this post, "Apple Tree Junction".  I thought the one I chose would catch your attention! Maybe it did.

Tillamook Forest Backroad

These are the kind of roads that are fun to explore... with a camera naturally.

Snail on a Raft

We spent the weekend at the coast. Saturday our son and daughter-in-law and the kids came over for the afternoon. We took a walk on the beach and made some interesting discoveries including this marine snail who came complete with his own raft.

The Serenity of an Orchard

Atrium Angles & Reflections

This atrium is at one of the medical centers in Portland.  I thought the reflections and angles in this corner were interesting. Many years ago two buildings were attached with windows on each end to form the atrium. I sometimes eat lunch here and enjoy how the light enters into the area.

Important Sticks

Without these we wouldn't have the railroad system. This image was taken yesterday outside of a paper mill. Their first life involved transportation. Their second life will be related to communication.

Heading North Soon

Web Creation

Something created this. It has design and purpose. Every part of it has a function. It all holds together.  It generally goes unnoticed yet contains such beauty. Despite its weak appearance and the fact that it's made of silk, its tensile strength is greater than that of high-grade steel. It's more amazing evidence from the One who loves us.

A Refreshing Pause

A while back our oldest grandson played youth football.  Here's a refreshing pause during halftime.  Orange slices provided the needed energy for the second half.

Have you had a refreshing pause lately? 

Morning Fog

Special Life Events

This is our son on his wedding day almost 4 years ago. Weddings are such a special life event. I'm grateful that we have photography to capture moments from these events. And these images will be a record for future generations.

The Bond of Friendship

 

I saw these ropes in the lobby of a building yesterday afternoon. They were a reminder of the bond we have with our families and friends.  We are meant to be relational beings and not loners.  Like a rope we gain strength when we're closely woven together with others.  I hope you're surrounded with family and friends.

Prehistoric?

I was on the Vancouver campus of Washington State University Wednesday when I spotted this bronze statue of their mascot, a cougar. I took several photos of it from different angles and used the B&W camera feature on a few. This silhouette against the stormy clouds gives sort of a dangerous prehistoric look to the scene.

Weathered Fence

Last week while riding my motorcycle I spotted this weathered fence. The colors around the main focus of the fence caught my attention.  It reminds me that I need to do some painting around our place. I guess the onset of Spring gives the awareness of upcoming outside projects.

I decided to try it in B&W and found that it makes the fence pop out. And it still needs painting.

Unscheduled Meeting with Security

I took this image yesterday afternoon in a Portland-Vancouver area hospital parking lot.  With my job I'm usually in at least one hospital each day.  As I walked out of the hospital I noticed what might be a good B&W photo. The problem started when a security guy pulled up in his van and wanted to know why I was taking pictures. After a few minutes of questions and answers he went on his way after saying they have to be cautious these days. I agreed with him but still felt somewhat guilty for just trying to take a photo. It's too bad that we've reached this point of mistrust in our country but I fully understand the reasons behind it. I guess the other reality is as photo enthusiasts we need to be cautious about when to use our camera and where we point our lens.

Banana Faces

Breakfast is my favorite meal and I love shredded wheat with a sliced banana. Yesterday morning my breakfast had many faces looking back at me.

When my wife saw me taking photos of my cereal bowl I think she wondered if I'm finally going over the edge. Then I told her it's because my banana has faces.  I hope I'm not losing it!

Colorful Tights

 

(Our 6 month old granddaughter)

 These legs have a life time of walking to do.

 

Coastal Foraging

Make Me Fly Daddy

 

Our son and grandson yesterday afternoon.  It was our youngest grandson's 2nd birthday celebration.

Basketweave Field

 

Yesterday while riding my motorcycle in the late afternoon I decided to stop at a field, which during the growing season is U-pick berry acreage.  Whenever I ride by this field I'm attracted to how the light from the setting sun hits these rows of woven stems revealing assorted textures.

A Sale was Made

 

Wednesday I stopped at a rest stop along the highway.  I noticed all the trucks flying by creating the rooster-tails of mist from the rain.  A wise older gentleman I know says that every time you see a truck on the road it means a sale was made. Being a salesman all my life I happen to like that saying. Selling something is usually the first spark in the economic flow of business. Maybe if we can get back to making things in this country we could get out of this financial situation we're in.

 

Downtown Light Grid

 

 

Columbia River Cove

 

(Just north of Woodland, WA.)

Squirrel Crossing

 

Nutty Narrows Bridge is a squirrel crossing that goes over the busy street in front of the public library in Longview, Washington. They take care of the squirrels in Longview. 

  

On the Road Again