Oct/Sep/Oct

WOW,  I can't believe my last post was in August! It feels more recent! I didn't intend to give up on the blog, but when things got hectic at work this summer, I cut myself lots of slack on personal projects. Also, I tend to use Instagram a lot more for my photos, since I can easily transfer them off my camera even while I'm out in a garden or wherever. If you don't already follow me there, please come visit/follow! I'm @greengatephoto. If you don't yet have Instagram, why not? :)

Anyway, I wanted to say happy October! As you probably know by now, I loooove October. It's my birthday month, but it's also a nice time of year for other reasons. This October has not disappointed so far. It's only day 4, but I've been feeling great and I am super excited about my plans this month (more about that in a minute).

Before I proceed with October, let's talk September! I know I won't get to it otherwise. It was a busy month (work and personal), but I did get out to take pictures a couple of times. By the way, most of the photos in this entry have been posted elsewhere on social media, so I'm sorry for repeats.

First, at the state fair. I mainly went to try a few of the classic ride photos that I've been seeing online.

Later in the month, my parents visited! It was a really nice time, and we got to go to the coast and the refuge. I didn't take a ton of photos, but here are a few.

There were TONS of bullfrog pollywogs, but sadly most of them probably died since the water was drying up quickly.

I also got out to Bush Park at some point, but didn't stay long. It had only started turning fally at that point.

Back to October! The weather has been awesome--sunny, but milder than our hot summer. The leaves are changing and it's looking really nice outside. To kick off October, I got to go to the Oregon Garden for a work photo assignment on the 1st. After taking care of my duties, I spent my "lunch break" briefly walking around the garden and taking a few photos. I was carrying a heavy bag so I didn't stay as long as I normally would.

Then, last night I went to Deepwood hoping that the porcelain berries would be in bloom. Timehop showed me that they were ready last year at this time, but we've had such a weird year of hot weather that I wasn't sure. But yes, they are looking their awesome selves!!

I loooove them. I know they are invasive, but they're so cool looking!! I would love to pick some for some photos/arrangements, so if you happen to know of someone local who would let me take some, please let me know!

Oh and I also took a few other pictures:

I mentioned having fun plans, and now I'll tell you about them: I'm going to Utah! I have never been, but my friend Dania invited me to join her on a trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon. We'll also get a little time in Vegas, where we're flying in. We're both super excited! I have even rented a lens so I can hopefully get a few good landscapes. While I'm down south, I'm also quickly hopping over to New Mexico to visit my younger sister's family. It happens that I'll be there for part of the hot air balloon fiesta, so fingers crossed the weather cooperates for us!

I hope you're having a good October so far. :) I want post here more before the end of the year. Hopefully some trip photos, and then I have plans to go to Houston (where my older sister and parents now live) over Christmas, so that should give me a lot to post about. Meanwhile, I will definitely be Instagramming as usual, so find me over there if you want to see some pictures on an almost daily basis.

Thanks!

Creature sightings

 
I've been home on Independence Day vacation for most of the past five days. They've been good days. I took a few photos of some wildlife I've come across. Don't worry--there are no hummingbirds or beavers in these photos (though I did see many).


It's hard to get a decent kingfisher photo. I hear them a lot, but rarely see them or am within reasonable photographing distance.



Cedar waxwing - I love these.


A blue heron flew in while I was down by the water.


He will take a seat on a comfortable limb.



An osprey looks on.


A cute color combo on this dragonfly.


I don't think I've ever seen this kind of dragonfly! He was very cooperative and sat still for me.


Which means you get a sideview.


Oh hey there, ladybug!



I took a quick trip to the wildlife refuge and was very happy to see this perfect butterfly. He landed nearby and held his pose for me to get a couple of photos.



A pollywog. There were tons.


A black phoebe, I believe.


I expected to see more frogs at the refuge, but this was the only one I found!

I talked to a neighbor who showed me photos he took of two adorable baby skunks not far from my place (75 feet?)! I would love to photograph baby skunks if I could do it from a safe vantage point. I wonder how far you need to be from a skunk to be safe? I've never researched it. Anyway, he said he saw them on two occasions, in the middle of the day. I'm a little jealous!

I also saw a dead fish in the water, but didn't photograph it. And this concludes my post! Have a good week. May your Monday be better than most.

Dragonflies, etc.

A week ago today, I woke up with an ear ache. I really thought it would go away on its own in a few days, but seven days, two doctor's appointments, dozens of prescription ear drops, four days off work (and one off church) and lots of ibuprofen later, I still have an ear ache. I feel better overall, but the ear still bothers me and I'm very tired of it.

But! I've been able to sleep more and have had some very nice ups with the downs. During one of the ups yesterday, I visited Ankeny Wildlife Refuge again and took several photos. Here they are, plus a few from home (WARNING: spider photo at the end, for those of you who hate those):



The right photo has a couple of dragonflies (damselflies?). I just thought it was funny how brave they were. Don't frogs eat those?



This big, ugly nutria was swimming around in all of the clovery water. So gross.



Obviously I like taking pictures of dragonflies.


And butterflies! You're getting three of these.



His wing's a little torn up.


This morning I woke up very early and saw part of the sunrise. It wasn't ultra spectacular, but I still took pictures (of course).


I can stand on my deck and take pictures of the hummingbirds like six feet away.




Sorry for those of you who can't handle spider photos and missed the warning!

It's been a wildlifey couple of days! I've seen beavers each night, but have resisted taking pictures.

This weekend the temps are up and it feels like summer. I really want some ice cream! Have a great Sunday and new week. :)