eskildoodle1

Tetons from Above

Our recent flight home from Oregon took us just south of the Tetons. It seemed strange to look down on this mountain range (uppermost ridge on the photo) from above after having looked up to it from the ground so many times when we lived in Wyoming. Tremendous forces acted over eons of time toContinue reading “Tetons from Above”

Water Wings

The late-July unlimited hydroplane races were in session on the Columbia River in the Tri-cities, Washington, several years ago. The airshows between races were flown by my brother, Bruce, and by Bob Hoover, a renown aviator. The FAA approved the airshows but forbid flying under the Blue Bridge seen in the lower photo, and BruceContinue reading “Water Wings”

Mickey Macaroni

We were treated recently to my sister-in-law’s “world-famous” macaroni salad. I know of no one who has been able to duplicate it. It was a delight to savor during their recent 60th wedding anniversary in Washington. Then, I noticed the plates projecting like ears from either side of the bowl, just like a “hidden Mickey”Continue reading “Mickey Macaroni”

Rocky Horse Picture Stone

I saw this while visiting family in Oregon and just had to take its picture. You might say that the stone sculpture reared its head and just leapt out at me. (Dedicated to my friends Karen, who loves horses, and Linda who gave me the lowdown on a movie with a somewhat similar caption.) #horseContinue reading “Rocky Horse Picture Stone”

Ecliptic Light Parade

Two days ago, August 30, 2024, Jupiter, Mars, and the Moon traced the path of the ecliptic in the early morning sky. The sideways “V” of Taurus can be seen in the upper right of the image and the the stellar pair, Castor and Pollux of Gemini grace the lower left, just above the MoonContinue reading “Ecliptic Light Parade”

Smoke of a Distant Fire

When I first saw this, I thought: How lovely the morning mist in the mountain valleys. Then it dreadfully dawned on me that this was smoke from raging forest fires, not a thing of beauty. Indeed, smoke billowing from active fires are visible on the lower left of the image. Others are visible on closeContinue reading “Smoke of a Distant Fire”

Clouds in the Hood

The plane departed Portland International Airport and climbed quickly through the overcast. Its path took us south of Mount Hood with its late-summer slopes frocked with clouds and its peak nearly devoid of snow. How strange it looked without the snow and ice mantle that we had been accustomed to seeing. Though quiescent at thisContinue reading “Clouds in the Hood”

Snowberries

Yes, snowberries really exist! I didn’t know that until our recent walk along the Fernhill Wetlands when they appeared along the trail and brightened our day. Even though they were already known to plant lovers and botanists, it was still exciting to discover them on my own. They are described as not edible, but tasteContinue reading “Snowberries”

Coming Up Roses

This is the season for lovely roses to mature and brighten the landscape. Anyone who read yesterday’s post (https://eskildoodle.com/2024/08/27/burning-bush/) should be able to guess which photochemical is responsible for the roses’ lovely colors (Hint: It isn’t a carotenoid!). However, it doesn’t really matter; the purpose of this photo is to please the senses, not strainContinue reading “Coming Up Roses”

Burning Bush

When green chlorophyll pigments leave the leaves of plants as fall approaches, other hidden pigments become visible to help turn this maturing plant to the color of flame. Carotenoids produced the yellow and orange pigments seen in autumn leaves and were always present in the leaves but hidden behind the chlorophyll. Red, purple, and theirContinue reading “Burning Bush”