October blue skies are the best blue skies in the world.
Knowing those bright days won't last much longer makes each perfect day even more special.
To celebrate the new month, our daughter and I took a walk to Fern Ridge Lake. It's almost exactly a mile from their home, but it was quite a few steps more than that as we wandered through Orchard Park, on their side of the shore.
When we were full-time RVers, we used to stay on the opposite side of the Lake whenever we came to Oregon to visit. Back then, I often blogged about how the Lake is almost emptied every Fall. (Here is a link to a post from way back when -- it explains a little more about the reservoir draw-down.) That draw-down started earlier this year than usual because farmers needed the water -- it has been so dry here. The above picture is looking across the Lake at the Marina -- most of the docks are already empty -- people need to haul their boats out while they still can.
There was even less water on the side where we were. Great Blue Herons and Egrets have good luck this time of year, as all of the fish in the lake swim into the shallows.
Nobody is swimming here this time of year -- supervised or unsupervised. When our grandchildren were small they enjoyed the empty lake as much as they did during the summer. No swimming, but they had fun running around on the big field and, when the rains first started, getting muddy.
Cyndi and I took their big puppy with us on this walk. When we got back to their home, Parker was happy to get off leash and run around his very own five-acre off-leash park (our daughter and son-in-law live there too, but I believe their dog thinks it is all his playground.)
He found a chew toy!
Cyndi and I sat outside for a rest after our walk. We enjoyed watching the dog tear around the yard for a while until he too settled down for a rest.
We never seem to visit our son-in-law and daughter without going home with food! Their picnic table was covered with several varieties of recently harvested winter squash. We took one of each. And a dozen eggs. And some blueberries from the freezer. All of the pleasure and none of the work.
Red leaves in the City too when we got home that afternoon. And it rained a little bit, but just as we were nearing our door. A perfect October day!
SHARING with thanks to all of the hosts as well as to all the terrific bloggers who link to the following:
NATURE NOTES; ALL SEASONS; MACRO MONDAY; OUR WORLD on Tuesday; MOSAIC MONDAY; GOOD RANDOM FUN; THROUGH MY LENS; ; WILD BIRD Wednesday; SIGNS SIGNS; Wednesday AROUND THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING
You are so right. The skies in October are the bluest ever. It's getting colder here. I want Autumn to go on and not end early as it sometimes does.
Posted by: Kathy | October 17, 2018 at 10:04 AM
Sweet big ol' brindled baby, what is he chewing on, a log, lol. So that whole area fills up enough to swim in, wow. I remember eastern OR being dry but can't even imagine it not raining. Like every day. I was recently getting my herons and egrets mixed up then found out egrets are white, right, they're white birds? What a beautiful mosaic, makes me want to take some more fall pictures. You must miss the RV days.
Posted by: Jeanna | October 16, 2018 at 04:30 PM
Oh I love the colors of fall..just not that it leads to winter.. That is a big dog and I am sure enjoys and need a good run....Michelle
Posted by: Michelle Banks | October 15, 2018 at 11:14 AM
You live in such a gorgeous place! Enjoyed all of your photos. We had a very dry summer around here as well but now our area has caught up with 10+ inches of rain so far in October. Quite jealous of your blue, October skies. Hope you have a great weekend.
Posted by: Jean | October 14, 2018 at 04:20 PM
Your post & photos are super this week, as always...thanks so much for sharing it all with us at I'd Rather B Birdin'
Posted by: Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin' | October 14, 2018 at 02:32 AM
Gorgeous fall photos! Parker is a cutie.
Posted by: Marie-OR | October 13, 2018 at 09:59 PM
I love the fall!!!!
Posted by: Jennifer Jilks | October 13, 2018 at 09:47 AM
Hello Sallie, the red trees are gorgeous, lovely Autumn colors. Great sighting of the Heron, they are seen around the low water areas. I like Parker, he is a beautiful dog. The squash looks delicious. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend.
Posted by: Eileen Wise | October 13, 2018 at 05:03 AM
Some great Autmn colours. It’s a special time of year. Lovely Blue Heron stalking its prey in the water.
Posted by: Adam Jones | October 12, 2018 at 11:48 PM
Autumn red foliage - what a magnificent sight! I have more copper tones here.... Enjoy! We too have stunning warm October days & blue skies, heavenly.
Posted by: riitta k | October 12, 2018 at 09:24 AM
beautiful autumn colors, great shots.
Happy Friday
Posted by: Tanza Erlambang | October 12, 2018 at 07:28 AM
Such great colors! Love the reds and blues.
Posted by: Linda in Virginia | October 11, 2018 at 09:58 PM
I love Fall, here in OKlahoma it lasts a long time, generally through Thanksgiving with warm days and cool nights.
Posted by: Alan Bates | October 11, 2018 at 07:40 PM
Your photos are so evocative of this month. I LOVE them! Gorgeous! Thank you for linking these up today!
Posted by: Michelle | October 11, 2018 at 05:41 PM
Beautiful October photos. You really capture the season well!
Posted by: Peter B. | October 11, 2018 at 03:38 PM
Great Autumn colours.
Posted by: Jim, Sydney, Australia | October 11, 2018 at 01:09 PM
A perfect October day for sure.
MB
Posted by: MaryBeth Schwartz | October 11, 2018 at 09:12 AM
What a cute dog :)
Lucky that you go home with wonderful fruit and vegetables, in my case I'm the one who takes fruit and veggies to my son and daughter in law.
Posted by: Sami | October 11, 2018 at 05:32 AM
It sure looked like a perfect day. Love your happy photos. How do you make your collages. I've been looking for a decent program.
Posted by: diane | October 10, 2018 at 11:28 PM
A beautiful place and a happy dog ! We have unusual warm weather, it's nearly like summer !
Posted by: Gattina | October 10, 2018 at 11:14 PM
We have no color to speak of at this late date! You're always on the go!
Posted by: Colleen LOOSELEAFNOTES | October 10, 2018 at 05:15 PM
That is one big puppy! Love the red trees, Sallie!
Posted by: RedPat | October 10, 2018 at 02:30 PM
October is a beautiful month in the Pacific Northwest. Glad you are here to enjoy it. Looks like a nice walk. Oh my, that is one big puppy. :) I'm enjoying someone else's hard work in the garden at this new house. I'll have my work cut out for me, though in garden clean up, etc. Happy October to you dear, Sallie! Finally have a break from unpacking boxes and I'm trying to catch up with all my favorite blogs.
Posted by: ellen b | October 10, 2018 at 11:34 AM
Thanks so much for those colorful shots of leaves for Macro Monday 2!
Posted by: Magical Mystical Teacher | October 10, 2018 at 06:19 AM
October is very colourful at the moment. Thanks for showing us yours, and thanks for your comment.
Posted by: Wil Francois | October 10, 2018 at 04:57 AM
I hate winter so October skies are pretty special. Cheers Diane
Posted by: Diane | October 10, 2018 at 01:01 AM
Fantastic! Thank you for sharing!
Greatings from Augsburg... and a happy WednesdayAroundTheWorld
Heidrun xxx
Posted by: // Heidrun | October 10, 2018 at 12:28 AM
October sun is so gorgeous, full of warmth and golden light. How wonderful to enjoy a long walk with your daughter. It was a very dry summer here, too, so no wonder the lake needed to be let down for farmers. I hope we get plenty of rain to fill up the reservoirs.
Posted by: Lorrie | October 09, 2018 at 09:28 PM
I love those brilliant fall colors. We still haven't had time to get up to the cabin and close for the winter. I fear that by the time we do all of the color will be gone.
Posted by: martha z | October 09, 2018 at 07:25 PM
Wow! Gorgeous photos ~ colors are so dynamic and my favorite, of course, Parker is my favorite ~ what a handsome dog!
Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores
Posted by: A ShutterBug Explores | October 09, 2018 at 05:32 PM
I love your colors! And that HUGE wonderful dog!!!
Posted by: Linda Brown | October 09, 2018 at 09:46 AM
Beautiful colours!
Parker is a cutie.
Posted by: William Kendall | October 09, 2018 at 08:44 AM
The reds are brilliant up there. That's one of the colors I've taken to these days. The bottom of the gourd that I entered in the fair is that kind of orangy red. The Husband and I feel like Parker when we get home. The Husband, especially loves to walk through the leafy wooded part of the front yard. It's short and small, but helps us quickly wind down to being ahhh, home. We got delightful rain the other day, too.
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | October 08, 2018 at 05:53 PM
I do remember seeing the shrinking lake in years past. How fortunate to go home with fresh groceries.
Posted by: Gaelyn | October 08, 2018 at 05:20 PM
That's a beautiful place. There's no swimming here this time of year either!
Posted by: Al | October 08, 2018 at 04:27 PM
That is one BIG puppy! heehee! And how wonderful to walk with your daughter. Love the leaves in the last photos. Perfect for Fall! Enjoy your week! Hope this ole storm calms down before it gets here! Hugs!
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | October 08, 2018 at 04:24 PM
A fun day!
Have a wonderful week!
Posted by: lea | October 08, 2018 at 02:56 PM
Beautiful fall color,,,and what a nice dog!! He is a gentle giant.
Posted by: Sondra | October 08, 2018 at 01:00 PM
There is much to be thankful for in your photos. The blue skies, delightful scenery and yummy food.
Posted by: fun60 | October 08, 2018 at 12:47 PM
Autumn is here! I love the winter squashes!
Posted by: Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin | October 08, 2018 at 12:31 PM
You showed the reasons why I love this time of the year!
Posted by: Photo Cache | October 08, 2018 at 12:11 PM
You had a very active day ... and in such a glorious, gorgeous area! That squash looks familiar...I am in the middle of an Autumn oroject with the very same.
Oh, and LOVE that brindle coat of that 'puppy'? (big puppy!)
Posted by: Hootin' anni | October 08, 2018 at 11:37 AM
So much wory for the farmers when it's so dry. Yeah that would be scary not able to get the boat out in time! Beautiful fall details - and much more advanced in Oregon, even though in Northern CA, there's still hardly any yellowing of the leaves. Great to (literally) harvest the benefit of being a grandparent and having homegrown edibles without having to grow them! Fun to share these things with All Seasons - thank you much! Have a wonderful week!
Posted by: junieper/Jesh StG | October 08, 2018 at 11:32 AM
The Fall coulours are always a pleasure to see. Your mosaic is very pretty and nicely done. Have a wonderful new week!
Posted by: bill burke | October 08, 2018 at 11:18 AM
Well Sallie, I think we would call Parker a dog and a half". He is huge. As to those lovely squashes, you don't say what you used them for but i think I would be making a whole load of soup for the winter freezer.
Our own water levels are beginning to pick up after the direst summer on record. Swings and Roundabouts.
Posted by: Phil Slade | October 08, 2018 at 11:16 AM
Beautiful Fall-colours and a lovely mosaic.
Posted by: Ingmarie We/Refugium | October 08, 2018 at 10:13 AM
Enjoyed all these lovely photos Sallie, pretty leaves too, especially enjoyed the ones floating in the water. The heron photo is lovely, and Parker is a handsome dog. The squash makes a very pretty picture and an impressive harvest. I would have to go to the store for mine, for the blueberries too which is my favorite fruit of the moment. I've also recently discovered how much I like delicata squash. Enjoy the rest of your week and I look forward to coming back.
Posted by: DeniseinVA | October 08, 2018 at 10:05 AM
I love those red leaves - so beautiful! And what an adorable pup!
Posted by: Lady Fi | October 08, 2018 at 09:32 AM
Hi,
Beautiful shots! Love city leaves.
Have a great day!
Posted by: Sherrie | October 08, 2018 at 08:38 AM
oh sallie, the first mosaic is so pretty, the reds are so vibrant and the skies are so blue. you are right, it will be coming to an end soon and we must enjoy this season every day!!
it is pay dirt for the herons and egrets when the water recedes some. you got pretty close to that heron, and captured a beautiful image!!
Posted by: Debbie | October 08, 2018 at 06:19 AM
Looks like you had a great visit, Sallie. The seasons really do seem to circle quicker and quicker every year. The red of the leaves will soon drop and the world will appear more open when we peek through the branches at the wider sky. Five acres is an amazing amount of land to have this day and age. Not only lucky for the pup but for the family that is taking such fine care of him. :)
Posted by: Penelope Puddlisms | October 08, 2018 at 05:43 AM
I miss seeing such vivid colors - nothing like that here in Florida.
Posted by: Carol | October 08, 2018 at 03:24 AM
Your red leaves mosaic is gorgeous. Have a nice week
much love...
Posted by: gillena | October 08, 2018 at 03:20 AM
Absolutely stunning autumn colours, wonderful photos.
Posted by: Bob Bushell | October 08, 2018 at 12:45 AM
Love the mosaic of the Autumn reds.
Posted by: Sami | October 07, 2018 at 10:21 PM
Great Autumn colours.
Posted by: Jim, Sydney, Australia | October 07, 2018 at 10:05 PM
wonderful autumn colors - like nothing else anywhere! Thanks for sharing. btw I really like the look of that big puppy!
Posted by: mick | October 07, 2018 at 08:30 PM
Your first mosaic is really stunning - a perfect companion to your prose about blue skies - oh my, how those reds do set off the blue! We were the lucky beneficiaries of some free home-grown fruit this week - one of my fellow 'flower committee' ladies from church brought in pears and plums to give away. Yum, yum!
Posted by: Angie | October 07, 2018 at 07:28 PM
I'm with you! I think the October skies are special. You had a lovely walk with your daughter around Fern Ridge Lake. The puppy looks like a big, happy boy! Your daughter and son-in-law have green thumbs...lucky you!
Posted by: Snap | October 07, 2018 at 03:36 PM