Marcia's Photography and Paintings

Hello Again

2011-09-25T23:01:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry, I have been away from my blog so long. We have had problems and my time has been for photography and painting have been greatly diminished.

Today we went to visit an alpaca farm. It was fun. They were so cute and friendly. We were able to feed them and get really close.

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

Grants Pass, Oregon Memorial Cemetery dressed for Memorial Day 2011

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

Written: 1906 by George M Cohan
Stage Musical: George Washington, Jr.
First: Sold over one million sheet music copies
Story behind song:
Cohan met a veteran of the Gettysburg battle. The vet held a carefully folded, ragged old flag and said, "She's a grand old rag." Originally, the title You're a Grand Old Rag. Many objected to calling the flag a "rag" and Cohan changed the song's title.

Mexican Restaurant Mural

2011-02-09T08:10:00.001-08:00

This is a life size mural painted on the wall of a Mexican restaurant in San Antonio. Recognize anyone? LOL. I got a big kick out of this one.

PS: I will be signing off for a while because I am having back surgery tomorrow. Back soon!

San Antonio Lights

2011-02-08T11:30:00.001-08:00

Photo taken from the Tower of the Americas

For more than 35 years, the 750-foot-tall Tower of the Americas has offered residents and tourists of San Antonio, Texas, the most breathtaking view of the Alamo City – visitors dine at the Tower’s revolving restaurant or enjoy the scenery from the observation deck.

Glendale Sunset with New Moon

2011-02-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

A resource for nearly anything you want to know about digital photography. A quick look through the menus will make it apparent that there's a Master's Degree worth of information in the site

http://www.dpbestflow.org

My Favorite Sculpture

2011-02-05T08:52:00.000-08:00

I loved the whimsy of this sculpture in the Sculpture Garden in Dallas.

Sulpture Garden Pool

2011-02-04T14:39:00.001-08:00

Nasher Sculpture Center

Situated in downtown Dallas at the base of the city’s skyline, the Nasher Sculpture Center represents Raymond D. Nasher’s vision to create an outdoor “roof-less” museum that serves as a peaceful retreat for reflection of art and nature and public home for his collection of 20th-century sculpture. The goal was to produce a structure of lasting significance that will sustain the legacy of the collection-- a kind of noble ruin reminiscent of the solidly-grounded archaeological sites of ancient civilization and their continuity through time.

Sulpture Garden

2011-02-04T14:39:00.000-08:00

Oregon General Store - in the 1850's

2011-02-03T10:32:00.000-08:00

Home to Oregon's largest natural history collection on display, the Museum's more than 7,500 items are used to help tell the ancient and contemporary stories of the Umpqua River Valley. In addition, DCM houses one of the Northwest's most comprehensive plant collections in its research Herbarium with nearly 3,000 catalogued specimens.

Texas Hill Country Cabin

2011-02-02T19:11:00.000-08:00

The area has been influenced by three major cultures: Native Americans, Spanish and German. Indians roamed the Hill Country first, leaving behind artifacts which tell of their nomadic life. The Spanish conquistadors followed, bringing a culture which was to endure to the present. German immigrants settled the Hill Country in the early 1800s and their descendants still call it home.

Lone Star

2011-02-01T10:03:00.001-08:00

Lone Star light fixture in the Texas Capitol

Texas State Capitol

2011-01-31T12:38:00.000-08:00

It was a rainy day in Austin

Texas Capitol II

2011-01-30T09:29:00.001-08:00

A view from the Senate Gallery
down to the Senate Floor.

Texas Capitol

2011-01-29T10:35:00.001-08:00

Completed in 1888 as the winning design from a national competition, the Capitol's style is Renaissance Revival, based on the architecture of 15th-century Italy and characterized by classical orders, round arches and symmetrical composition. The structural exterior walls are "sunset red" granite, quarried just 50 miles from the site. Additional structural support is provided by masonry walls and cast iron columns and beams. The foundation is limestone. Texas paid for the construction not in dollars, but in land: some three million acres in the Texas Panhandle that would later become the famous XIT Ranch.

An extraordinary edifice by any measure, the 1888 Texas Capitol is the largest in gross square footage of all state capitols and is second in total size only to the National Capitol in Washington, D.C. Like several other state capitols, the 1888 Texas Capitol surpasses the National Capitol in height, rising almost 15 feet above its Washington counterpart.

This is a photograph taken from the 4th floor looking down to the first floor.

Dillard Station in Black and White

2011-01-28T12:21:00.000-08:00

At the suggestion of several friends I converted the color photo to black and white. I agree it was quite appropriate for this image. Would have been a nice IR image as well had I had that camera with me.

Dillard Station

2011-01-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

Established 1882 and was the last standing station of the Oregon-California Railway.

Mi Tierra Cafe Mural

2011-01-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

In 1941, Pete and Cruz Cortez opened a little three-table cafe for early-rising formers and workers at San Antonio's Mercado. Sixty years later Mi Tierra Cafe is a world-famous landmark - the place hometown regulars and hungry tourists go for authentic Mexican food and a warm Texas welcome.
Pete's and Cruz's children and grandchildren continue the family tradition of good food and big-hearted hospitality at mi Tierra, which is still located in Market Square, El Mercado.

San Antonio River Walk at Christmas

2011-01-25T09:58:00.000-08:00

Along the lush banks of the San Antonio River Walk are more than 6,000 Luminarias. Warmly glowing candles in sand-filled bags line the walkways to symbolically mark the "lighting of the way" for the Holy Family. This century’s old tradition begins at dusk. All the trees are filled with multicolored lights as well.

It was quite windy when I took this photo which gave the lights a rather odd look. This photo was taken from a bridge looking down on the River Walk.

Hemisfair Park Reflecting Pool

2011-01-24T14:15:00.000-08:00

The Fair Park Esplanade, a 700-foot-long reflecting pool capped with three fountains, was built for the 1936 Texas Centennial.

At Deco Detail

2011-01-23T12:48:00.001-08:00

Close up of art deco detail on one of the buildings in Fair Park, Dallas Texas

Women's Museum

2011-01-22T09:05:00.000-08:00

Women's Museum
Dallas, Texas

The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future, in association with the Smithsonian Institution, is a comprehensive national American women's history museum. Located in Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, The Women's Museum's 70,000 square foot building provides a home for programs and exhibits where people can honor the past and explore the contributions of women throughout history.

Red Trolly in San Antonio

2011-01-21T10:10:00.000-08:00

Many tourists to San Antonio sight see by riding the red trolly.

Mission Conception - San Antonio, TX

2011-01-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña

This mission was named in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Juan de Acuña, the Marqués de Casafuerte. The Marqués was Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) when the mission transferred to the San Antonio River area in 1731.

Originally founded in 1716 in what is now eastern Texas, the mission was one of six authorized by the government to serve as a buffer against the threat of French incursion into Spanish territory from Louisiana.

Developed by Franciscans and after a tenuous existence and several moves, the mission was transferred to its present site in 1731.

This handsome stone church took about 20 years to build, and was dedicated in 1755. It appears very much as it did over two centuries ago. Due to the fact that it was built directly on bedrock, it never lost its roof, or its integrity. It remains the least restored of the colonial structures.

In its heyday, colorful geometric designs covered its surface inside and out. The exterior patterns have long since faded or been worn away.

St Joseph Church

2011-01-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

The Idea for the St. Joseph Catholic Church originated from Europe and was built in San Antonio from 1878 to 1896. Rev. John Kospiel was a Catholic missionary priest from Germany stationed in Boerne, Texas. He was in charge of missionary tours. Rev. J. Kospiel made Honey Creek, also known as Kunz Settlement, a permanent stop on his missionary tours. Soon, a log church was erected near the Kunz home. It was named St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the first Mass there was celebrated on August 20, 1876. It was the first German speaking Catholic Church. It added German Heritage and a sense of community for the many German catholics in San Antonio.

Hemisfair Park

2011-01-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

Hemisfair Park, Dallas, Texas

Dallas Fair Park is a 277-acre (1.12 km2) recreational and educational complex located in Dallas, Texas. The complex is registered as a Dallas Landmark, National Historic Landmark and is home to nine museums, six performance facilities, a lagoon, and the largest Ferris wheel in North America. Many of the buildings on the complex were constructed for the Texas Centennial Exposition in 1936 which drew over six million visitors. Most of the buildings built for the exposition still survive and Fair Park is recognized as a significant example of Art Deco architecture.

Dallas Fountain

2011-01-15T16:04:00.000-08:00

A Fountain at one of the many Art Museums in Dallas, Texas

Another Sunset

2011-01-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

Looking at the opposite side of the lake from the other sunset photo

Sunset at the Ranch

2011-01-11T19:05:00.000-08:00

Sunset viewed from the deck of the ranch house

Bear Creek

2011-01-10T09:12:00.000-08:00

One of the two creeks which merge to make the lake

The Ranch House

2011-01-09T14:56:00.000-08:00

I have just returned from a wonderful visit to my brother and sister in law. This is their new ranch home on 140 acres in Pipe Creek, Tx near San Antonio.

Oh Christmas Tree

2010-12-21T09:56:00.000-08:00

Only four more days until Christmas!

Taprock From Across the River

2010-12-17T07:16:00.000-08:00

Taprock Restaurant is a lovely lodge type restaurant situated on the Rogue River in downtown Grants Pass, Or.

Snowy Barn

2010-12-15T15:30:00.000-08:00

This is the last week of Holiday Open Studio. We are painting with watercolor this week. This was painted from my imagination using Corel Painter.

Tap Rock Restauarant Display

2010-12-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

Tap Rock Restaurant is located downtown Grants Pass on the Rogue River where the jet boats load. It is beautiful lodge type building. This is their 2010 Christmas animated light display.

Festival of Lights

2010-12-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

More than 300,000 light displays fill River Forks Park at the 18th annual Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights.

The festival features a mile and a half of displays — including more than 100 animated displays.

Snowy Red Barn

2010-12-01T11:01:00.000-08:00

Original Photo

This was a study of shapes, color, tone and temperature, painted as a homework exercise.

Holiday Barn

2010-11-24T10:19:00.000-08:00

I decided to do some more work on yesterday's painting. I thought a Christmas image would be nice with the red barn so here is the new version.

Snowy Barn

2010-11-23T07:42:00.000-08:00

Second painting for Open Studio assignment.
We are studying seeing shapes and blocking in colors as an underpainting before finishing the painting.

Holiday Open Studio has Started

2010-11-22T13:46:00.000-08:00

Snowy Road

This is my first try at the homework assignment

Bridgeview

2010-11-18T08:59:00.000-08:00

Swans and bridge at Bridgeview Winery
Cave Junction, Oregon

Yogi

2010-11-17T16:11:00.001-08:00

Last week Yogi decided to swallow a corn cob. It didn't suit him very well so he ended up in surgery at the vet. Here you can see his incision and sutures but that is not why I took the snapshot.

While recuperating Yogi decided to sit in Sammy's small bed. He propped his head on the window sill and just sat there. I found it such a funny pose that I ran for my camera and snapped the photo.

Another interesting point is that Yogi is extremely camera shy and usually runs when he sees it in my hand, this time he just sat there!

He is doing well and we are in the poor house!!

The LIttle Red Barn

2010-11-16T18:12:00.001-08:00

Ever wonder why barns are painted red?

Centuries ago, European farmers would seal the wood on their barns with an oil, often linseed oil -- a tawny-colored oil derived from the seed of the flax plant. They would paint their barns with a linseed-oil mixture, often consisting of additions such as milk and lime. The combination produced a long-lasting paint that dried and hardened quickly.

Now, where does the red come from?

In historically accurate terms, "barn red" is not the bright, fire-engine red that we often see today, but more of a burnt-orange red.

* Farmers added ferrous oxide, otherwise known as rust, to the oil mixture. Rust was plentiful on farms and is a poison to many fungi, including mold and moss, which were known to grown on barns. These fungi would trap moisture in the wood, increasing decay.

Regardless of how the farmer tinted his paint, having a red barn became a fashionable thing. They were a sharp contrast to the traditional white farmhouse.

As European settlers crossed over to America, they brought with them the tradition of red barns. In the mid to late 1800s, as paints began to be produced with chemical pigments, red paint was the most inexpensive to buy. Red was the color of favor until whitewash became cheaper, at which point white barns began to spring up.

Today, the color of barns can vary, often depending on how the barns are used.

Barn and Shed

2010-11-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

The thing that drew me to photograph this scene was the primary colors of red, blue and green working together.

Old Stage Coach Stop Barn

2010-11-13T14:05:00.000-08:00

Taken on my short ride near my home yesterday.
This was the site of a stage stop in the 1900's. Today it is a working ranch but the home is one of the Oregon Historical Sites.

This is a single shot processed in Lightroom, Nik Software HDR Efex Pro, and Photoshop.

The rain stopped today!

2010-11-12T18:45:00.001-08:00

Relflections

Finally got to get out with the new lens. I liked the reflections of the very blue sky in the creek.... along with the tree trunks.

It's Raining but.....

2010-11-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

My new lens is here and I had to try it even if it was between raindrops. I had a 70-200 f2.8 L IS lens for a long time but hardly used it. I decided I would be happier with the lighter weight 70-200 f4 L IS which I could comfortably hand hold. I sold the heavy lens and bought the lighter one. Today I was itching to try it out... so with no good subject in mind, I went out to do a few test shots. It has lovely bokeh and I am very happy with the weight and the performance so far.

November Rainbow

2010-11-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday there was a shower while the sun was shining. When I came out of the store there was one of the most beautiful double rainbows I have ever seen. I ran to the car and grabbed the p&s camera. Unfortunately the parking lot didn't make the best foreground for the photo so I just shot up in the sky. I figured a snapshot was better than nothing too bad the second rainbow had faded a lot before I was able to capture it.

Learning to Observe Workshop

2010-11-08T06:28:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I did an online workshop. We were given the top photo and asked to observe it and then paint it in a way we observed would be more pleasing to the viewer . This is my final results.

The Last of the Fall Color

2010-11-07T22:35:00.000-08:00

The parkway to Sportsman's Park

One exposure only, no HDR

More from Indian Mary Park

2010-11-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

Indian Mary's father was named "Umpqua Joe," and was an important part of the local tribes. "Umpqua Joe" came home one day with news of an impending Indian attack on the local settlement near what is now the town of Galice on the Rogue River. "Indian Mary," who had been befriended by the local settlers, and who had married a white man, rushed to warn her husband's people, thus saving an unknown number of lives.

It wasn't long after this act that her father and her husband got into a heated argument during their excessive drinking of alcohol. Her father shot her husband, and before Mr. Peters died, he returned fire and succeeded in killing "Umpqua Joe." Left with no means of support, "Indian Mary" moved to a small cottage in Grants Pass, and leased out her homestead. She took in laundry, in order to support her children, and due to a secret her mother had taught her regarding the use of peach pits in the laundering process, she was said to have the "whitest" laundry in town!

Indian Mary Park

2010-11-02T07:17:00.000-07:00

The Reservation was created in part, in gratitude for one of the local Indians, Umpqua Joe, who in 1855 warned white settlers in the area of a pending massacre. Thanks to Joe's warning the settlers were able to thwart the Indians attacks. Joe was allowed to stay on the land and operated a ferry for local miners. When Joe died in 1886, which is a story in itself, his oldest daughter named Mary and known as Indian Mary by the locals, stayed on the property and continued to operate the ferry. Not long after Joe's death, the area under the Indian Homestead act, became a reservation, thus showing the nations gratitude and assuring that Mary would maintain control over the property. Eventually she leased the property to the local stage line and moved to Grants Pass. The property changed hands several times and was purchased by Josephine County in 1958 to be converted into what is now known as Indian Mary Park.

Hell's Gate Bridge

2010-11-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

The bridge marks the beginning of theRogue National Wild and Scenic River corridor and becomes the official Hellgate-Galice Back Country Byway. The Wild Rogue Wilderness is part of the 107 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System.

Surrounding the Wild and Scenic Rogue River, the rugged and complex canyon landscape of the Wild Rogue Wilderness provides watershed protection for the Wild portion of the river. The area is characterized by steep terrain of near vertical cliffs, razor-sharp ridges and cascading mountain creeks.

The lure of gold in the 1850's attracted a numbers of miners, hunters, stocker raisers and subsistence farmers. Conflicts between white settlers and Native Americans culminated in the 1855-56 Rogue River "Indian War." After their defeat, Native Americans were taken to reservations. For settlers, life in the Rogue Canyon was difficult and isolated. Although extensive gold mining operations took place, overall production was low. The remnants of mining, such as pipe, flumes, trestles, and stamp mills can still be found.

While the Rogue River flows through the core of the Wilderness, legislation specifically directed that it be managed under Wild and Scenic River direction. Because of this, there are some activities and development, such as motorboat use and lodges, which would normally not occur in a wilderness. The Rogue River is nationally known for its salmon and steelhead fishing and whitewater rafting opportunities, both of which require permits.

Along the river you may see deer and otters, or even black bears looking for a meal of salmon. Bears, grown accustomed to easy pickings from boaters, may prove a nuisance in numerous campsites. Birds abound, such as fish eating osprey and great blue heron and lizards hasten over the dry slopes above the water. Ticks and rattlesnakes are often encountered. The river corridor is also excellent habitat for poison oak, whose stems and shiny leaves in groups of three can be a problem throughout the year. Mosquitoes are present during a good part of the season and yellow jackets can be a nuisance during the typically hot, rainless summer days.

Guest Contributor

2010-10-31T11:08:00.000-07:00

Ted has not only been driving me all over to take advantage of the autumn colors, he has been shooting too. It is very interesting how two folks can be at the same location and shoot different angles.

This is one that Ted shot in Indian Mary Park.

He has his own flickr page here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricochet_ted/

The Bench

2010-10-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

The sun glowed on the beautiful trees making the bench a welcoming place to sit and enjoy the beauty of nature.

All Sports Park Reflections

2010-10-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

We are having a very good show of fall colors this year. This is the pond at All Sports Park .

Vajrasattva

2010-10-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

Vajrasattva

Vajrasattva, known as the Buddha of Primordial Purity, is dedicated to purification of negativity

Tashi Choling Mandala Garden

2010-10-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

The Mandala Garden

Located in the secluded Colestin Valley south of Ashland, Oregon, Tashi Chöling’s traditional Tibetan temple faces south on an open hillside, much as monasteries once stood on the mountains and cliffs of Tibet.

Visitors to Tashi Chöling arrive first at the Mandala Garden, set in a meadow below the temple. The garden is a very peaceful place to meditate and pray. In the spring and summer, its flowers, shrubs and trees bloom in a resplendent display of color and form.

Entering the front gate, one walks down a pathway lined with beautifully painted prayer wheels. Prayer wheels completed in 2009 also surround three sides of the Vajrasattva statue.

The garden is also home to a 35-foot high statue of Vajrasattva, set in the center, and 20-foot high statues of White Tara and Green Tara to either side. Vajrasattva, known as the Buddha of Primordial Purity, is dedicated to purification of negativity. The Green and White Tara statues represent two aspects of Tara, the female Buddha. Green Tara is dedicated to the pacification of obstacles and White Tara is for long life.The garden also contains a beautiful Long Life Shrine dedicated to the longevity of our teacher, Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche. The shrine is filled with exquisite frescos and a large prayer wheel.

Lonesome

2010-10-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

Wide open spaces along Hwy 62 seemed a lonely place to me.

Autumn Barn

2010-10-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

Searching for red and mostly finding gold colors. I liked the way the wood was worn on this old barn.

Godfrey Glen

2010-10-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

Godfrey Glen is located on Munson Creek where it meets Annie Creek, viewed from turnout on Highway 62, Crater Lake NP.

Godfrey Glen was named by Park Superintendent E. C. Solinsky in memory of William C. Godfrey, Chief Ranger, who in the discharge of his duties lost his life in a snow storm near the south entrance of the Park, Nov. 17, 1930.

Annie Creek Canyon

2010-10-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we drove along Oregon Highway 62. On the way to Ft Klamath we found this amazing canyon. It was the hardest thing I ever tried to capture with a camera. The 2D image just could not do justice to the great 3D view. There were two little waterfalls, a creek, two caves and this colorful wall with deep gorges in it. Absolutely gorgeous and truly awesome.

Aspens

2010-10-22T23:12:00.001-07:00

Aspens along the road on Hwy 62
on the way to Ft Klamath

Summer to Autumn

2010-10-16T07:09:00.001-07:00

The above painting was done for a class. The exercise was to paint a fall image from a summer one.

Tasting Room

2010-10-12T07:42:00.001-07:00

Henry Estate Winery Tasting Room

It was a dark and rainy day but this is such a lovely building I couldn't resist a shot.

Misty Oaks Winery

2010-10-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

We visited this winery in the Umpqua district for the first time this weekend. I said to the owner this is the first color I have seen in the vines. Unfortunately, it was not a good thing. They have discovered that the vines might have been grafted onto the wrong root stock. They have 3000 vines that are affected.

Henry Estate Winery Shed

2010-10-10T10:37:00.001-07:00

HDR image processed in Photomatix 4. I know I have broken the rules of composition here but I couldn't find any part that I wanted to crop out of the image so break the rules I did.

Art Along the Rogue

2010-10-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

The City of Grants Pass celebrates Art Along the Rogue on October 2 & 3, 2010. Our 8th annual music and street chalk art will feature nationally known chalk artists.

Vine Maple

2010-10-08T21:26:00.000-07:00

Vine maple along the trail to Proxy Falls

Upper Proxy Falls

2010-10-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

Proxy Falls is an impressively tall dual-segmented waterfall 200ft tall. It could very well be the prime natural attraction of the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Upper Proxy Falls is the bonus waterfall you get when you visit Proxy Falls. It is easily reached as you continue on the Proxy Falls loop trail, past the lower falls.

Falling Leaves

2010-10-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

Autumn Collage done in Corel Painter

Aspens along the Road

2010-10-05T08:13:00.000-07:00

We were a little early for fall color but we did see some aspens that were beginning to turn.

Tumalo Falls

2010-10-04T07:02:00.000-07:00

Tumalo Falls is a spectacular plunge along Tumalo Creek, just a short distance outside the city of Bend. Although this waterfall is easy to get to, and hence is a popular destination, it is still a compelling and undeniably exhilarating waterfall. There is a great viewpoint from the parking area which is easy to reach. A short hike up the trail will bring you to a superb overlook at the top of the waterfall.

One person measured the waterfall with a laser rangefinder and clinometer, and found it to be 131 ft. high. Every other publication lists the waterfall as being 97 ft. high.

Smith Rock State Park

2010-10-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

Smith Rock State Park is a state park located in central Oregon's high desert near the towns of Redmond and Terrebonne. Its sheer cliffs of tuff and basalt are ideal for rock climbing of all difficulty levels. Smith Rock is generally considered the birthplace of modern American sport climbing, and is host to cutting-edge climbing routes.

In addition to the world-famous rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is host to many miles of hiking trails, the meandering Crooked River and views of the volcanic peaks of Oregon's Cascade Range. Much of the 1994 film adaptation of the 1976 book Even Cowgirls Get The Blues was filmed within view of Smith Rock. Partial filming for the 1997 feature The Postman took place on location, while it additionally appeared in Swordfish in following years. Several westerns have been filmed here, including the John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn film Rooster Cogburn. The Rockhard building at the park entrance was built as a movie set for this film, portrayed as "Kates Saloon".

Lonesome Barn

2010-10-02T12:04:00.000-07:00

This tall barn can be seen for what seems like miles before you reach it on this flat stretch of Highway 97. This pasture was thankfully unoccupied so we took the liberty of trespassing in order to get this shot.

The hazy part of the shot is from all the controlled burns in the forest from Bend to Medford.

Nye Beach Stroll

2010-09-15T19:44:00.001-07:00

This is the street leading to the beach. It is lined with restaurants, shops and pretty flower boxes.

Nye Beach

2010-09-12T21:50:00.000-07:00

Nye Beach, historically, is one of the finest vacation spots on the Oregon Coast. For over 100 years, people from Portland and the Willamette Valley have been coming to this favorite place to seek solace in and alongside the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

In times past, cottages were built where women and children would spend their summers while the men of the families would join them for the weekend excursions at the beautiful expansive Nye Creek. In 1891, a boardwalk was built connecting the areas of Nye Creek and the Newport Bayfront. This boardwalk was replaced by a road two years later.

Nye Beach from early on became a popular area for summer college classes which were held in a specially-built auditorium. In 1902, Dr. Minthorn (stepfather of President Herbert Hoover) built a sanitarium east of what is now the Sylvia Beach Hotel. In this sanitarium, hot sea water baths were available, as well as small dressing rooms which were used for changing into street clothes after cavorting in the surf.

A favorite place in Nye Beach during the first half of the century was the Natatorium. The first one burned, but a second building was constructed housing a swimming pool and dance hall. A movie theatre and bowling alley were close-by. This structure was on the grounds now used at the plenty of free parking area of the Nye Beach Turnaround.

During WWII, patriots carrying rifles and using dogs patrolled the beach area to keep the country safe from invasion.

A place to escape from the trials of the day has always been a secret of Nye Beach. Today, as a century ago, this colorful seaside community provides the same charm and beauty in a warm, friendly village of shops, services, guest accommodations and which also features a clear, near activist focus on the arts.

A Quiet Place

2010-09-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

This is the small brook which is near the entrance of the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, OR.

Oregon Coast with Heceta Head in the Distance

2010-09-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful day on the Oregon Coast

THE LIGHT has been on for more than a century. The U.S. Lighthouse Service lit the wick of the original coal oil (kerosene) lamp on March 30, 1894. That light, produced by five concentric wicks and magnified by a 392-prism British-made Fresnel lens, equaled 80,000 candle power. Its visibility, 21 miles from shore, is limited only by the curvature of the earth.

The Light Keepers had a difficult task trying to keep the light flashing once every minute from sunset to sunrise. They had to manually wind the clock; and in order to keep the wicks burning, they had to haul coal oil from the fuel houses up the tower. Then there was always soot on the lens of the lamp to clean off.

Along the Oregon Coast

2010-09-09T07:45:00.001-07:00

Oregon Coast Day Trip

Up scenic Coastal Hwy 101 to Newport area - Yaquina Bay and Yaquina Head Lighthouses. Maybe see Oregon Coast Aquarium. Lunch at Georgie's Beachside Grill restaurant in Newport - great view of Newport Oregon Beaches. Check out Cape Perpetua Scenic area and spectacular Views of Coast and Pacific Ocean south of Yachats . Do guided nature walk if have time. Catch a beautiful Oregon Coast Picture Sunset.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

2010-09-08T07:15:00.001-07:00

A number of people had wonderful expectations for Yaquina Bay and the Newport area. As a result, the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse was built to begin the expected migration of settlers into this fertile land. The lighthouse was lit for the first time on November 3, 1871. It is the only existing Oregon lighthouse with the living quarters attached, and the only historic wooden Oregon lighthouse still standing. The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is listed in the National Register of Historic PlacesBoth before and after the completion of the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse people argued over where the lighthouse should have been built. As a result, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse was built just two years later. Then, just one year after that, on October 1, 1874, Yaquina Bay's light was extinguished.

Because of the short amount of time that this lighthouse was in operation, there are few stories to tell. However, there is a short Yaquina Bay Lighthouse story written by Lischen M. Miller that details a sea captain's daughter who was never to be seen again after entering the abandoned Yaquina Bay Lighthouse.

This story as well as the lighthouse's historical presence is what kept it alive through the years, as this house Yaquina Bay Lighthouse spent a number of decades in shambles. It wasn't until 1974 that Yaquina Bay Lighthouse was fully restored by the Oregon State Park Group. Today, visitors from all over visit this house. It is one of the few that are open all year, and can be viewed from the inside. Several of the rooms have memorabilia of Oregon's maritime past that are on loan from the Oregon Historical Society.

Yaquina Bay Bridge, Newport, OR

2010-09-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

In 1919 Conde McCullough became the head of the Bridge Division of the Oregon Department of Transportation, making him personally responsible for the design of Oregon's bridges at a time when the state was completing Highway 101.

His designs are well known for their architectural beauty. McCullough advocated that bridges be built economically, efficiently, and with beauty.[5] He helped design over 600 bridges, many with architectural details such as Gothic spires, art deco obelisks, and Romanesque arches incorporated into the bridges

Gold Hill Historical Museum

2010-09-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

Gold Hill Historical Museum

Historical Society was established on January 20, 1986 . The Gold Hill Historical Society Museum is housed in the Beeman-Martin house, which was built by Josiah and Hattie Beeman in 1901. Money from the Beeman’s operation of the Lucky Bart Mine built this fine Gold Hill home which featured the first indoor plumbing in the city. GHHS acquired this house in 1993. Many devoted volunteers spent five months refurbishing this historic building. The purpose of the society is to promote, preserve and interpret the rich history of Gold Hill and the surrounding area. The Museum hours are 12 - 4 Thursday through Saturday.

Oregon Coast with Heceta Head in the Distance

2010-09-04T07:48:00.001-07:00

Heceta Head's light first shone in March of 1894, 205 feet above sea level and visible for over 21 miles. One thousand barrels of blasting powder were required to create a flat table on the rocky cliffs. Heceta remained an extremely isolated outpost until the 1930's when road crews arrived with their families and tents to construct Route 101, the Pacific Coast Highway.

The area is named for Captain Don Bruno de Heceta of the Spanish Royal Navy, an explorer whose expedition passed along the Oregon coast around 1775.

Waverly Cottage

2010-09-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Waverly Cottage

Waverly Cottage, also known as the Shone-Charley House, was constructed in 1895 by Joe Shone in the Queen Anne/Eastlake style. Shone was born in England in 1865, and arrived in Medford, Oregon in 1895 with a wife and two children. Designed by architect W. J. Bennet, the house is a remarkable example of complex design and elaborate embellishment. During the construction of his home, Joe managed the Barnum planing mill, and served as primary contractor for the Wilkinson-Swem Building in downtown Medford. Named Waverly Cottage by the Shones, the house was sold to William and Andromeda Charley in 1901.

Born in 1832 in Hursttown, Indiana, William Charley arrived in Jackson County with his wife and children in 1876. Upon retirement from raising cattle, the Charleys purchased the property, and the house remained in the Charley family until 1978.

Row upon Row

2010-09-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

One last photo from our Del Rio Winery shoot

Rock Point Hotel

2010-09-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

Tasting Room as Seen from the Road

Del Rio began its existence as the small community of Rock Point, founded by J.B. White in the early 1850's. John fought in the Rogue Indian Wars from 1855-1856, serving under Captain William A. Wilkinson. In exchange for his services, he received land. He was appointed as a judge in the Dardanelles precinct in 1857 and two years later established the post office in Rock Point.

Joining the hotel, and the post office, were homes, Abram Schuly's blacksmith shop, Hoymond and White's store, a saloon and a school. The record books from the Stage Company verify the regular use of the Rock Point Hotel as a stage stop.

The Tasting Room

2010-08-31T09:19:00.000-07:00

The Tasting Room

The tasting room is housed in the former Rock Point Stage Station and the Rock Point Hotel. It was built in 1853 and had one of the first telegraph stations in the area.

The Vines

2010-08-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

Looks like a good year for wine!

The Winery

2010-08-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

Del Rio's winery is located in the red barn which previously housed Del Rio Orchard's pear packing facility.

The Vineyard

2010-08-28T19:08:00.001-07:00

Del Rio located just outside Gold Hill on the beautiful Rogue River is an estate vineyard and winery with over 210 acres of producing vines. Originally this property was a stage coach stop, transformed to a pear orchard in the 1920's and in the late 1990's became a vineyard. Thus preserving agriculture in the Rogue Valley. This site of primary southern facing slopes grows 13 different varietals. Many are sold to premium wineries in the state along with Del Rio's own estate wine that can be sampled in the Historical Stage Coach Hotel, built in 1864. Del Rio's winery is located in the red barn which previously housed Del Rio Orchard's pear packing facility.

Inside the Cape Blanco Lighthouse

2010-08-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

Cape Blanco is a spur that stretches one and a half miles off the Oregon Coast. At the end of it, Cape Blanco's lighthouse sits majestically on a 200 foot cliff. It is no wonder this lighthouse was among the first built along this coastline. Heavy wind and rain are common to this area, and the rocky terrain below is very sharp and dangerous. There have been a few shipwrecks in years past in the waters below. One such tragedy off these shores was the steamship "South Portland" that claimed the lives of 21 people on a trip to San Francisco in the early 1900s.

This Lighthouse lit its lamp on December 20th, 1870. The first principal keeper was H. B. Burnap. He and two of his assistants were responsible for the lighthouse. As the years drifted by, there were a number of keepers of the Cape Blanco Lighthouse - there were also a number of terrific stories. One such story details a submarine that sat off the coastline and launched a float plane that used the lighthouse as a navigation tool for bombing runs.

The spiral staircase was shipped to Oregon from San Francisco.

CAPE BLANCO LIGHTHOUSE

2010-08-23T21:30:00.000-07:00

We took our guests to the coast last week. I finally got to the Cape Blanco Lighthouse when it was open. We did the tour and took photos.

Golden with Wide Angle Lens

2010-08-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

We have company again so today was yet another visit to the ghost town of Golden.
Today I had the Canon 10-22 wide angle lens on the IR converted Canon camera.
I actually got a photo that was quite different than any I had taken before. I am pleased with it.

Anyone for a Picnic?

2010-08-16T10:26:00.001-07:00

The picnic area at Howard Prairie Lake, OR

Shot with an Infrared Converted Canon Camera

What did you find?

2010-08-15T15:02:00.000-07:00

These two little girls were so intent while playing in Howard Prairie Lake they never knew I was there!

Neon Smoothies~

2010-08-10T21:09:00.000-07:00

Another from the Photo Walk on July 24

Rest a While

2010-08-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

Grants Pass, OR Main Street

Dandy Scanography

2010-08-07T09:23:00.001-07:00

I found these two dandelion puffs so I put them on the scanner. This is the result.

Harbeck House

2010-08-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

Grants Pass, OR
One of the many restored historic district Buildings

Farmer's Market Sunflowers

2010-08-05T08:54:00.000-07:00

Grants Pass Farmer's Market

Kelby World Wide Photo Walk