Talking Waters

 My husband and I have discovered a new favorite place to walk and look for birds. It is called "Talking Waters" and it is located in Albany, Oregon. The city created several ponds for natural water treatment. It seems to be a success, and it has been done in a very aesthetic way. We especially enjoy the green herons that can be seen there. There is one hiding in the reeds in the picture above.

 This is an example of how beautiful the area is.

 An orange dragonfly held still long enough for a picture!

 I love this lacy weed in contrast with the dark, velvety cattail.

 Our neighbors are the ones who introduced us to Talking Waters.

 Yarrow

 This turtle is about 10 inches long

 There are many ducks in these ponds

 Can you find the green heron in the reeds?

 This green heron is perched by a tri-color blackbird. This gives an idea of its size. It is not a very large heron.

 Here is another picture of the same heron near a duck.

 The heron is watching the duck :-).

 Blue dragon fly

 A sparrow with a moth

 I took my daughter Anne to enjoy Talking Waters as well.

 A frog in the midst of algae

 Can you see the eyeballs?

 This purple flowering plant has the most beautiful berries!

 This swamp plant is also quite beautiful.

 Another green heron

 A tiny turtle perched on a rock

 We watched this green heron fish for a while.

 Anne captured this picture with my lens. The heron knew we were nearby!

 Fishing

 He found some tasty little tidbit!

 I would imagine this is the same turtle I posted above, only this day its pond was filled with algae.

 The green herons like to perch on the top of the dry reeds.

The ducks are obvious, but can you find the turtle and the green heron? This really is a delightful place to visit!

Basket Slough Revisited

 My husband took me to Basket Slough for my birthday. Since I broke my ankle I haven't been able to drive or get around too much. This was a real treat for me!

 We enjoyed watching this small group of pelicans.

 I liked this snag, even though it is only a resting place for two crows in this picture :-).

 Tri-color blackbird

 Pelicans in flight; I love the contrast of their black wing tips with their beautiful while color!

 Tri-color blackbirds

 Great blue heron

 Western sandpipers

 Bald eagle

 Stilt

 Deer grazing in the fields

Kestrel

Family Pictures!

 Our son Will and his family recently visited from Utah, so we had a family gathering. EVERYONE was there!!! I am sporting a splint from my recent ankle surgery.

 Bill and I with all of our grandchildren

 Bill and I with all of our children

Iron Mountain

 We had a fun camp at River Bend Campground near Sweet Home. Several of our kids met us there and we had a little "tent city." One morning Bill, Megan, Anne and I got up very early to hike to the top of Iron Mountain before everyone was awake. It was magical! There were so many wildflowers, and the view from the top was stunning!

 Megan and Anne

 Elk rubbings

 Megan and Bill

 Coming to the top

 Lush foliage

 Becky and Bill

 We hiked several "switchbacks"

 Early morning view

 Anne, Bill, Megan

 Anne

 Almost on the top

 Bill and Anne

 Bill, Megan, Anne

 The "red" in the mountain

 View from the top: The Three Sisters

 Megan

 Haha!

 Bill and his MREs!

 A beautiful deck has been built on top of the mountain

 Heading back down

 This was one of my favorites: Cat's Ear

 Anne and Bill

Unfortunately, I fell and broke my ankle and tore off two tendons. I had to walk out, and I was never so glad to see the car! I had surgery the next day!