Beauty in Spider Webs and Fog

I was out taking pictures of the beautiful batch of new White Roses with Red Tips. I loved how the dew was still in droplets on the leaves.  I heard Nathan behind me comment , “Wow, cook spider webs.” but only thought of knocking them down later with a broom. 

But when I turned around I was more excited about the spider webs than I had been about the beautiful rose garden.  Sigh. I’m either a full fledged mom of boys – or these are really cool photos.  Maybe a bit of both. 

<<Here is a link- I uploaded quite a few photos of the spider pics>>

The Avon had Babies

We have been wanting a canoe or kayak since before we even moved to Lincoln City – Since the first day we saw Devil’s Lake. . .

So far – our search has come up empty for an affordable solution.  Most of the kayaks start at around $350-500.00.  This week a friend found a kayak on sale in Newport for $199.00, without paddles.  It sort of seemed like an over grown snow sled . . . but cute.  Still – only having one – puts a damper on how far you should go away from the house.

We got a Petra School P.E. Scholarship from my folks – They thought it would be good for us to go out paddling in the mornings and evenings.  We had been researching kayaks for several months, and spent 7 hours looking yesterday  - deciding on two kayaks – Inflatable's, two seater’s, paddles extra.

Jonathan got right to it and went clear across our circle and back quite quickly- less than 10 minutes, then Nathan and I went out to the end of the circle and back. I stayed out for a while piddling around.

  The weather front was moving in – so not the greatest pictures – I’m learning that digital photography and water and not good friends. :) I wanted to go out this morning – but the mist was more like a sprinkle – so I stayed in bed doors. :)

The kayak, btw, is a Sevylor Rogue Similar to the Tahiti – has extra heavy plastic/rubber. the cover is very thick – tripple I’d say – the thickness of our svylor inflatable boats. When I sit in the kayak, I fit in the back or middle, with plenty of leg room, both with my legs crossed or straight out front.  I do not feel like my weight is displacing me further in the boat – the bottom really holds up. The valves are the same as on our avon – very strong contstruction! Over all – for one evening’s usage – I am impressed.  With a local discount – we were outfitted for two boats and paddles for less than $200.00, and have room enough for all four of our family members to kayak together.  Sweet Deal. :)

Lake Tossing

Jonathan has become quite the water bug!  He spends each evening floating around our little area – mentally cataloging all of the critters, on water, land and air.  I like going with him, however, when the cold water weather front is moving in, we’re still in long sleeves and coats – it just doesn’t scream – Swim Time to me.  I told him we’d go down to toss him in the lake. In 2.2 seconds he was back by my chair in his swim outfit.  Ya gotta watch what you say around here.  Nathan decided he’d take me up on my threat – and help out. :) What a nice big brother!!!

 

  

Jon thought this was a little anti-climatic – so he took the job into his own hands. . . .

Never one to skip on Drama – He took his act out to the lake – it’s better to sing opera before jumping.. . . apparently. . .

Water Pushups?

Pansy Lovin’ Hummingbirds

Jon loves watching the Goldfinches just outside the living room window.  A hummingbird came to feed on the pansies yesterday while we watched on.  He was there for quite a while! Jon was really happy with his photos.

Summertime and the Livin’s Easy -

Need a little theme music?  Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

 

 

 

 

Nate Kayakin’

Waiting turns to tube and ski - 

Jon liked the design on these but ended up getting up on the “girly” ones that were a bit better for him.  
I didn’t have my camera when he was up, the first time I wasn’t home and the second time I um. Didn’t have it. It happens. :)

The fog stayed on the beach – all week – while the lake just got hotter and hotter!
  
Darren an Nate BBQ’d Chicken, Pork and Roast. The Roast the sliced into Beef Jerky. Oh So Yum.  The Chicken we went with a soy/marin/sesame/garlic 24 hr marinade.  The Pork was a dry rub, it was supposed to be a whole loin – but ended up being several pieces. Bummer. But still good!

Nate had to leave the party this day to take the 5th Year Oregon State Test CAT-5.  He passed with flying colors – My Son is Smarter than a 5th Grader.  Do we get money for that? He is learing the family secret Texas BBQ recipes passed down from his Papa John.

 
Our guests were here Tues – Friday. It a party every day. We felt welcome into their family.  Jon has asked several times if they have to wait a whole year for another family reunion. The boys had an amazing week! And, though it might not make sense for most - for those who know, I hope the Boys had an amazing week too. )

Creating Rainbows

In the sunrise hours, as the bright hot orb moved just over the tall Sitka Spruce to the east – and tips down over our back yard – we learned that we could position the hose in just such a way as to create rainbows. The second tricky part was figuring out how to hold the camera and the hose at the same time without a trip to BiMart to buy a new camera. :) The rainbow could get much brighter with different angles, but not without drenching me. :)

July 15, 2010

Evaporation Fog – Devils Lake

Devil’s Lake, Lincoln County, Oregon –
Sunrise Twilight – Evaporation Fog 

Mirror Image – Water Tension – Devils Lake

   I was out taking pictures of the water tension this morning and finally found an entry for the Mirror Assignment over at RAW (E).

Raw (e) – Assignment – Mirrors.  I’ve been waiting for no wind to take this shot for the assignment. :) Click Photo to see enlarged.
North East Side of Devils Lake, Oregon July 20, 2010.

I like this one – Broken Mirrors. :)

Something is off when you have to wear a fleece coat and winter socks to sit by the water in the summer!  The mirror shots below – I like – but the one above I like best. What do you think?

  I am studying the water surface tension of the lake. Sometimes it looks like plastic, saran wrap? has been stretched across. Not just “flat” but really thick. Still clear, see through.  So  far I’ve learned that higher temps decrease water tension, and that agitation rids water tension, but have not been able to describe or explain the texture of the visual of the water surface. 

(All of the photos in this post have not been enhanced at all – straight out of the cheapo Nikon Camera as per the rules of the RAW (e) Challenge. ). Well – I don’t know if you HAVE to use a Nikon L22, but that is my camera. :)

Daisies and Herons at Sunset

The Daisies turn to watch the sun set.
 

Egret / Heron finds a great perch.

LIttle more zoom on him. What a hue beak!

Long Legs!

Standing in the lake looking back to the east while the Daisies follow the setting sun.

Old fashioned Climber Roses.

The roses have been abundant this season, several shades of yellows, pinks and whites.

View that the Roses have – turned around – it wasn’t quite this dark as you can see on the next photo, but for some reason the camera shaded all the land.

View from the middle of the yard. The forest is so thick to the south here. We are going to play a scavenger hunt game this week to find frogs. We hear them, but can not see them, and there is no sign of them in the lake.
For our Summer Senses study – we are looking at these night shade veggies and this night closing climbing flower.

 
After 5 years of living with 10 acres of dirt as a back yard – with no vegetation shave the thistles – I can not get enough of the weeds and lush vegetation here by the lake. Saddens my heart to turn on a weed whacker. I just can’t do it. . . . So it’s tidy by the house – but I leave a bit down here by the lake.

This is after 9. The evenings are the best here at the North East end of Devils lake!