We headed out to Neskowin on the Oregon coast last week for a quick getaway, to escape the heat and celebrate our anniversary. It’s always a refreshing reset to listen to the surf, watch the changes of the tides and the play of fog along the coast, and just to see that flat horizontal line in the distance (although I did note the absence of islands).

After exploring the Ghost Forest and tide pools at low tide, we hiked nearby Cascade Head, a Nature Conservancy Preserve that I heard about last year from an elder friend who had worked for the Oregon Department of Forestry. It was an ambitious day, requiring more recovery time than in our younger days, but paying off with stunning views of another piece of the Oregon coastline.

Here are some pictures.

(Click the image to go to the full gallery.)

I was last at Fernhill Wetlands back in December, shortly after getting my new camera. For Nancy, it had been a couple years. Neither of us had ever visited during the summer. Unlike previous trips, this time it was warm, with lots of light. And more young birds crying out to be fed.

(Click the image to go to the full gallery.)

Last Saturday the kids agreed to a bird walk at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge “on the way” to an afternoon at our house. It was short in minutes and miles, but rich in discoveries and conversation. And they even gave me time to take some photos! Here is a photo gallery from that adventure.

(Click the image to go to the full gallery.)

When the blueberries are ripe, everybody comes to visit! Between the party in the berries and the usual neighborhood gang, this morning in our yard I saw:

• House Finches
• Mourning Doves
• Song Sparrows
• Spotted Towhees
• Black-Capped Chickadees
• American Robins
• Black-Headed Grosbeaks
• Northern Flickers
• Downy Woodpecker
• Scrub Jays
• American Crows

and a rabbit.

Click the image to go to a gallery of photos taken in our yard on 7/31/22.

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch

Who watches over you

Make a little birdhouse in your soul

They Might Be Giants

Here are some photos from our day trip to McIver State Park near Estacada, exploring possible locations for camping with the grandkids.

Nancy wrote about this trip on her blog.

When I have limited time for a nature walk and want to search out an interesting place to explore that’s close to home, I often end up at an urban wetland tucked away just off the beaten asphalt path. Here are some photos from two I’ve visited recently: Koll Center Wetlands in Beaverton, and Smith and Bybee Lakes in Portland.

(Click the image to go to the full gallery.)