OREGON INTERLUDE

In Blog-land, we've been re-living our June trip to Europe  and it isn't over yet.  But in real life we've been at home in Oregon since the first of July -- and it's great to be here.   So this is a little break between Weeks One and  Two of our trip  -- we need to catch up just a tiny bit on wonders that are closer to home.

 

Alsea Falls

 

 

Alsea Falls is a favorite place -- we stopped  for a walk there after a trip to the Oregon coast last month. And were surprised and happy to see this much water at the falls in July.

 

 

 

Flowers collected on walks around our our daughter and son-in-laws country home and on the Willamette River paths near our home here in Oregon.

 

 

There are a few newcomers in that same backyard!   ....

 

 

Oregon Blues!

 

In that same backyard again!  I  picked that colander full of blueberries without moving more than 5 steps.   In July, those bushes were loaded.  The growth has eased off by now --  but their freezer is full and we have been invited to help ourselves as needed.    Those  plums are just coming on.  Blackberries are uninvited guests, but they are good to eat anyway.  (And of course we no longer  have to cut these invasive plants  back every year.   Many homeowners in this part of Oregon fight them constantly.  But in the meantime, everybody picks and eats them.)  

 

 Oregon Scrub Jay

 

Scrub Jays are seen often  in western Oregon -- almost as common as crows and just as noisy.   The funny thing is that in Florida, there is a Scrub Jay that is rather rare.  I can't tell any difference -- to me they look exactly alike!  But I've never been able to get  a good picture of one in Florida -- that is one of my goals for next season there!  

 

 

And here is the ultimate Oregon Blue!  The Pacific Ocean near Waldport on a beautiful July day.  It was a day-trip for us -- we just went to make sure the Ocean was still there.

 

LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities.  Thank you to the hosts! 

SATURDAY CRITTERS; RATHER B' BIRDING ;  NATURE NOTES;   ALL SEASONS;    MOSAIC MONDAY;  THROUGH MY LENS;  OUR WORLD on Tuesday;   COUNTRY SCAPES; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; SAY CHEESE;  WILD BIRD Wednesday;   MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;   SKYWATCH FRIDAY; and   FRIDAY  BLISS;      

 

 

Comments

[Michelle]

Wonderful photos of summertime Sallie...

[Wally Jones]

The way you present it - I LOVE the blues!

From flowers to birds to the ocean - simply beautiful!

Thank you for sharing it with us, Sallie.

[riitta k]

I loved your Oregon blues! At first one might think of something melancholy - but no! Lovely photos, wishing happy weekend.

[Michelle]

I will admit that I LOVE to travel, but there is nothing quite like being at home. I appreciate this post to the utmost. Thank you for linking it up today.

[Peter B.]

I would really like to spend some time in Oregon. My sister is going for a visit next week. It looks beautiful. Alsea Falls looks like a great place to visit.

[Ken Schneider]

Oh to have berries like that in my back yard. Well, I must be content with mangoes and annones. Your Scrub Jay photo is so artful!

[betty - NZ]

It's awesome to have such beauty everywhere you go! I'm glad you shared with us :)
Your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week sure made my day!
My Corner of the World

[Debbie]

the birds are both cute and beautiful, and of course they are my favorites!! i would love to live on a piece of land that was bountiful in fruit, blueberries are one of my favorites!! plums are another favorite...the black ones where the juice runs down your arms when you bite into it!!

i love the cute little lady bug!!!

[Amy Franks]

That looks like a beautiful beach, reminds me of Taupo Bay up north.

[Su-sieee! Mac]

You never know, the ocean could've moved. :-) Blue jays don't pop into the yard as much as they used to. There has been a lot of development the last several years displacing the birds and other wildlife. Poor babies. I love that photo of the bird in the birdhouse. I am curious to how it decorated the inside with the red twiggy thing.

[Minoru]

Hi! There are many beautiful flowers in your home town. The Oregon blue is very beautiful.

[Heidrun]

Thank you for sharing... I enjoyed this Post so much.

Heidrun xxx

[Colleen LOOSELEAFNOTES]

I grew up with blue jays and they were considered nuisances like crows, but they don't look like your scrub jay. The bird in the house is precious. We just hiked to a waterfall that was over 60 feet tall and close!

[craftygreenpoet]

beautiful Oregon Blues

[Fun60]

Those berries and other blue fruits look scrumptious.

[Lady Fi]

Fabulous!

[Sandra Nachlinger]

Oregon is such a beautiful place. You did a great job capturing some of its beauty through your photos.

[Margy]

We travel to Oregon quite often for sports events at OSU and the University of Oregon. We've enjoyed camping in our RV at Armitage Park. - Margy

[Cath Moore]

I'm back to say thanks for linking with Cath@Home for CountryScapes....great post!

[Sylvia D.]

Sallie, I love your blues! I am partial to blueberries and picked the tiny wild ones as a kid. I put away the large ones now so I have some blue on my breakfast in the winter time. Love seeing the big water. Have a great week. Sylvia D.

[Photo Cache]

Oregon is such a beautiful state. No wonder people from California are moving there in droves.

[Yogi]

Beautiful blue ocean, and my oh my, all those blue berries and blackberries, an embarrassment of riches.

[Lorrie]

I'm catching up with blogging after being away for awhile, and I'll have to go back to read about your Europe trip. Meanwhile, the Oregon photos show off the beauty of the west coast. This is such an abundant time of year with the blackberries, blueberries, and other fruits.

[Cathy]

Oh my, how incredibly beautiful! I especially like the falls and the darling nesting bird. Thank you! Wishing you well!!

[Junieper/Jesh]

Am glald the ocean is still there:):) Am envious about all these berries in the yard! Blue- jays are about the only bird (except for humming birds) I see often - and yes, they're noisy! But one time, they congregated to prevent a vulture from attacking one of their nests in our yard ...and the vulture, even though much bigger, lost!
Many thanks for these lovely details in Oregon you're sharing with All Seasons! Happy berry-eating this week:)

[Angie]

Sallie - so nice to see some photos around the "home place". How blessed you are by those Oregon blues, from the plums to the scrub jay to the ocean. Thanks for sharing them (virtually) with the Mosaic Monday crowd!

[Lady Fi]

Delicious and beautiful Oregon blues!

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Beautiful Falls and ocean photos ~ my favorite is the little bird in the birdhouse ~ soooo creative and sweet ^_^

Happy Day to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[Sami Veloso]

Beautiful birds. I remember picking wild blackberries in the country when I was a teenager. So great to have all that fruit in the garden.

[Lisa]

Alsea Falls looks amazing and those blueberries look so good! I can't get them over here and miss them :(

[DeniseinVA]

You took great photos, so many pretty sights! The little bird peeking out of its house is darling. Oregon is a state I would love to revisit. Enjoy your Sunday and have a very enjoyable week :)

[Anni]

Gorgeous country! LOVE the beautiful jay.

Happy weekend, and you linking with us at I'd Rather B Birdin' is appreciated. Thanks.

[Diane]

And on the other side of that ocean you will find us. I just envy you all that fruit. I love blue berries and have to pay a lot for them. The flowers and birds are lovely too.

[Linda Walcroft]

Nice pictures! I love the little bird in his house!

[Jennifer Jilks]

Home sweet home!
I guess it's all better when you know what you've missed!

[Penelope Notes]

It IS reassuring to see the ocean is still there along our beautiful coastline, without any discernible change in sea levels. The blueberries and plums look delicious and are utterly nutritious. I’ve read the dark colored fruits and vegetables have more healing properties than most and some can even decrease blood pressure.

[Linda]

Cute visitors to theback yard

[William Kendall]

Such a pretty waterfall!

[bill burke]

Oregon looks lovely as always through your eyes.
Have a great weekend, Sallie.

[Carol]

Wonderful soft photos - it's always a pleasure to visit you.

[Gattina]

It's nice to switch homes according to seasons ! I wished I could do that too ! But with my coach potato it's impossible. He only feels home in Waterloo ! He doesn't even want to go to Italy anymore !!

[Sondra]

Lots of beautiful things in this post I enjoy the natural things! I'd love to see a FL Scrub Jay!

[David Gascoigne]

The Florida Scrub Jay, while looking superficially similar, is a very interesting species, with many significant characteristics. The feature that really sets it apart is that it is a cooperative breeder, where the young from a previous year help raise the subsequent year's young. For interesting reading on Florida Scrub Jay see the work of Glenn Wolfenden, a phenomenal biologist who I had the pleasure of spending several hours with at the Archbold Research Centre in Venus, Florida. He passed away a few years ago. For excellent reading on helpers at the nest in general see Alexander F. Skutch, one of the greatest all-time ornithologists in my book.

[Cath@Home]

Oh, I just loved reading this post and the photo's make me long for all that to happen down under! The little bird poking its head out the bird house is my favourtie

[Lavender Dreamer]

That Scrub Jay is beautiful! I was going to drive out to where I usually see them yesterday but it was too rainy..and wet! Love those blueberries and that little bird in the house! Beautiful photos! Enjoy your weekend!

[Eileen]

Hello, Sallie! Beautiful photos from Oregon. I love the waterfalls and the beautiful flowers. It is great to be able to pick the different berries. YUM! The Bird looking out of the house is cute and the Scrub Jay is beautiful. The Oregon beach and coast is gorgeous. Lovely post! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend!

[mick]

Your Oregon - interlude is beautiful. The blackberries bring back memories. Way back then fruit that was both wild and free was important- but I hated the prickles!!

[Linda P]

Beautiful blues and wonderful scenery! Your abundant supply of fruit must be very welcome. Enjoy!