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”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
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”
Going to Seed
The seasonal transition from summer to autumn was on display at Fernhill Wetlands as wildflowers began producing seeds and providing food for the abundant birds and wildlife of the wetlands. #seasons #summer #autumn #wildflowers #birds #wildlife
Pine Cones Rock
Actually, these pine cones are rocks, fossilized remnants from the days of dinosaurs. Even though they existed long before humans stepped across the landscape and most have long since disappeared, nature curated a select few specimens as fossils to remind us of this “land before time.” #pinecones #fossils #dinosaurs #ricemuseumofrocksandminerals
Land of the Dead
I was drawn to this scene by its tranquil beauty, but what I learned about it is haunting. “Memaloose Ilahee” is a Chinook term referring to “Land of the Dead.” They long used this, and similar islands in the lower Columbia River for burial grounds for their dead, which were wrapped and placed on platformsContinue reading “Land of the Dead”
Able Cables
The appearance of the cables seems as wispy as the clouds in the blue skies above, yet the strands holding the bridge stoutly support the structure that carries traffic across the Columbia River. Once upon a time we motored our boat back and forth under this bridge to and from various cruising adventures on theContinue reading “Able Cables”
That Magnificent Man and His Flying Machines
Dad (center) at Oshkosh Fly-in and EAA Biplane on Farm Strip It arose from a set of blueprints, a collection of steel tubing and wood, and sheets of fabric and aluminum. After years of careful craftsmanship and perseverance Dad brought this EAA Biplane to life. It first flew in 1969 with my oldest brother, Bruce,Continue reading “That Magnificent Man and His Flying Machines”
Thirty-four Cents
I was playing my ukulele while visiting family in Oregon, and my granddaughter came over and put some change in my gig bag. I asked her what that was for, and she replied that she liked my playing and wanted me to continue. At that very instant, small change became priceless. #ukulele #smallchange #priceless
Eskildoodle Photos and Feelings 