Our Last Summer Adventure at Ankeny Wildlife Refuge, 2017

 We had one final excursion before the rains came. Bill and I hadn't visited the Ankeny Wildlife Refuge for some time, and we really enjoyed the boardwalk and grassy trail. We saw two green herons as we walked the boardwalk.

 The grassy trail went past a few ponds, and the scenery was stunning. The day was beautiful and we were so glad we took the time to go for a walk.

 Great blue Heron

 Juvenile Gold Finch sitting on a teasel (that does NOT look comfortable!)

 Egret on the bank and Canada Geese in the water

 White Egret

Soaking up the sun as we walk the loop

Hosmer Lake Near Bend, Oregon

 Bill and I camped at Tumalo State Park in Bend, Oregon near the end of the summer. The smokey fires around Bend made an eerie sunset.

 We kayaked Hosmer Lake which was a wonderful experience! The waterway between the two bodies of water is especially beautiful as it is very clear and you can see schools of fish.

 Fun reflections

 The whole lake is shallow and clear with light peat on the bottom.

 We found a stream at the north end of the lake and followed it to a waterfall.

 Bill

 Becky

 Trail to the waterfalls

 Bill by the waterfalls (a horse bridge in the background)

 Our orange kayak can barely be seen in the background.

 Bill on the horse bridge

 Walking the trail

 "Ahhhh, that feels great!"

 Heading back

 Beautiful, clear, stream

 We noticed it became even more smokey as we continued on.

The smoke grew thicker and thicker as we returned to the boat dock at the other end of the lake. We were finally happy to leave the area because of the smoke. We learned later that more wildfires had started in the area and everyone was on alert for possible evacuation! We were going to stay another day, but we headed home early the next morning due to so much smoke in the campground and all around Bend. We drove right past one of the fires on our way home.

Baby Juncos

 A little Junco made a nest right out in the open on the bank by our home. I worried about them the whole time until they finally left the nest. You can see her sitting on the nest, the 4 little eggs, and one of the surviving babies waiting for its meal!

Solar Eclipse, the Most Exciting Event of 2017!

 A few of our kids came to our house to watch the amazing solar eclipse (Anne and Matt, and Megan and her children). Matt set up his telescope so we could watch the shadow of the eclipse as reflected on a plate at the back of the telescope.

 We looked across the hill from us at the Willamette Valley Vineyard at a large crowd gathered. We also watch a hot air balloon move across the sky.

 The eclipse was beyond words! It was one of the most amazing events I've ever witnessed! It became dark, the wind came up, and the temperature dropped several degrees. I was fortunate to capture a few pictures in the two minutes of the complete eclipse.

That night after the eclipse, the sunset was spectacular!