Janet Brien's photos with the keyword: creek

(+5 insets) Rain, Rain, Go Away! *cry* How would you feel if you got to stay for an entire two weeks at an incredibly gorgeous state park when there was also a two-week-long rain storm? Unfortunately, that's what happened for us at Silver Falls. The afternoon we arrived it was sunny but the clouds were rolling in. We had a lovely walk around the park's incredible nature trail with no idea that we'd only walk this trail together a few times the entire two weeks. That night it started to rain. Pounding deluges of water dumped onto the area for the next TWO WEEKS! At the very least it was sprinkling but most of the time it was raining hard enough that going outside wasn't an option without an umbrella, rain gear and perhaps a boat and paddle. We were stuck inside for most of our stay and it was such a total bummer because we'd planned to go hiking and biking every day! I did manage to sneak out in the morning when the rains sometimes dwindled to a sprinkle and marched quickly around the 1.1-mile trail, usually making it back before it started to pour again. We kept an eagle-eye on the weather reports and looked to see if there was a pause in the rain, but it seemed the storm had booked the same reservation we did. However, there were exactly TWO days when the sun came out and we were READY! One day we went on the Trail of Ten Falls, and the other day we hopped on our bikes and rode on an unbelievably stunning ride which took us on a challenging but wonderful ride…we commented that we needed sunglasses to cut down on all of the brilliant, glowing greenery everywhere! So, in the end we were really sad that our plans for exploring this wonderful park were thwarted by the heavy downpours, but we counted our lucky stars for the opportunities that we did get to enjoy this lovely park. Today's Picture There was a wonderful little footbridge that crossed over the south fork of Silver Creek and it was so nice to just stand and enjoy the view. The light dancing on the water, the logs criss-crossing, the glowing greenery…oh what a pretty spot! Today's Insets Inset #1: What a perfect picture for HFF!! This view stopped me in my tracks every time I got to this part of the park's looping nature trail. You can certainly see why this trail was so popular! (Although this trail is listed as one of Oregon's most beautiful, I rarely ran into anyone because of the rain, thank goodness.) Inset #2: Walking through the campground, this marvelous tree took my breath away with its vibrating greens and lovely shape. Inset #3: And yet ANOTHER perfect picture for HFF! This was taken on the day we rode our bikes on the lovely group of trails which included this spot, which is also Silver Creek but about a mile away from the main picture's location. The bridge linked two huge meadows adorned with picnic tables for happy visitors. Inset #4: Every time I walked to the campground bathroom, I saw this wonderful tree and waited for the chance when I could take a picture to share. To me it looks like a happy old couple, arm in arm, who get to look at the playground they face that's often filled with squealing, happy children! Inset #5: I noticed this funny face in the puddles on the path to the bathroom and kept an eye out for a break in the rain to get this picture to share! I loved the goofy expression! Please Take Care Hope all is well with you…I am horrified at what's going on with Ukraine invasion. How does anything like this happen in this day and age? It's so awful that I cannot stand to see more than headlines. In any event, I hope you are all safe with family away from this terrible situation. My heart goes out to Kyiv and the Ukraine. Explored on 3/1/22; highest placement #15.

(+5 insets) (Please click! Wonderful crow details await!) (Sscroll down to "Today's Image" for photo info) Notes Written on the Road: The Elderly Gentleman On my walks I often encounter folks along the way, and sometimes I run into them again during the same stroll! One fellow brings a smile to myself when I think about him. One morning I was walking up North Harris Beach and I noticed a person standing stock still at the base of a craggy boulder where the waves were creeping up with the tide. Hands held at his side, he was staring intently at something where the water hit the rocks. As the waves sank back, he crept closer, penguin-style. If the waves got too close he waggled backwards. What a funny sight! By the time I made it to the rock he'd been scooting back and forth on, he'd backed away from his tenuous position and disappeared up the beach. I couldn't help wondering what he'd been looking at. Later I trekked up the trail that winds around and leads up to the small but impressive Harris Butte which overlooks the coast and boasts a fabulous view. (I shared a picture in my last presentation) On the way, who should I meet but the fellow I'd seen on the beach! As we passed, I had my opportunity to quell my curiosity and after wishing him a good morning, asked, "What were you looking at down there on the beach?" He smiled widely, remembering where he'd seen me and reported proudly, "I saw two starfish, one purple, the other orange! I thought there was another one but the waves kept coming in and I didn't want to get soaked." I congratulated him and told him that I might try looking myself another day. I would see him for three more days on this trail and each time we said hello as we passed one another. I loved that he was so active and interested in the beauty of Harris Beach and wondered how he came to be there and if he was a full-time traveler. It would have been fun to have a chat with him. In the end, I never did check out the side of that rock down at the edge of the water but I can picture the starfish that he saw. (I wish I'd gotten a picture of him at some point but it wasn't in the cards.) A Note to Introduce Today's Picture Harris Beach State Park is unique because it has two wonderful beaches: North and South. Between them sits a boulder-glutted area and a very large, healthy tide pool--all of which can be scrambled around when the tide is low. Further bi- and trisecting the beaches, a number of creeks empty out into the ocean in several places and create lagoons or busy streams which snake down to the water's edge. Crossing them to continue walking along the beach can be a simple wide stretch with some momentum, a careful hop or a running leap. Alternatively, one may choose to abandon any decorum whatsoever and splash across or, for those who really don't want to get soaked, the adventurous can climb over the cobbled driftwood and rocks that collect at the tops of the beaches where the streams come down the hillside. The streams running down to the ocean are very popular with the local birdlife and there are usually a cluster of seagulls hanging out, bathing, or hunting for a meal. Plovers, oyster-catchers, and sandpipers are also regular visitors too. Today's Picture One day I walked to the edge of one of the streams emptying out into the ocean and watched a crow with something in its beak. It would toss it in the water and then pick it up again. Then it would walk to another spot and do it again. I wasn't sure what it was up to but I think it was washing the sand off of its goody! The main picture shows this crow eying its morsel. (Please see this picture at full-size, it's best viewed large!) Today's Insets Along with the crow image, I'm including a few more: • a portrait of the crow that shows its treat (a slice of ham? Pastrami?) • a shining abstract of charred driftwood • the a driftwood still life that includes the charred driftwood • beautiful lines showing rippling stream water • a collage of images to show the pretty millipede I saw on the beach Thank You For Your Visit, Comments & Stars! What fun to read what you have to say about my latest presentation! It's so enjoyable to learn a tidbit that relates to you or if you have a favorite image. Likewise, I really love to hop around the world through the lenses of your cameras to see what you're sharing today, and to let you know what I think too! :) Hope you had a wonderful weekend and crossing your fingers that this coming week is great too! Explored on 11/21/21; highest placement #4.

Here is another image from that magical spot in Klamath County as we drove around Upper Klamath Lake. The upper end of the drive took us away from the lake and we leaped out of the car when we saw this area! We think this brook empties into Upper Klamath Lake. This image was taken in October, 2011.