Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
It all depends on which way you're going. Let's pretend we're all coming out of the dark into the sunshine. It could happen that way.
The best walk of the week was at Eugene's Delta Ponds. This bit of nature in the middle of the City is a peaceful -- and hopeful -- place. It's a City Park reclaimed from gravel pits. Gravel extraction during the 1950s and 60s provided much of the material for construction of local roadways, including Interstate 105.
The City purchased the land from the gravel company in the late 1970s, but it remained wild and unclaimed until 2003.
Work to restore the Delta Pond System and reconnect it to the River has been ongoing since then. It's a wonderful resource for the community and one for which I'm grateful!
More usual suspects -- the white duck must be an escapee who decided to join his wild cousins. The female Mallard at the top left has a feather on her beak. I kept expecting her to sneeze. Also seen, but not photographed (even badly) were a few darting songbirds and a Kingfisher.
The next two pictures are from last week's visit to our daughter and son-in-law's.
A few mid-summer flowers are still hanging in there.
The Black Walnut tree is magnificent in all its fully leafed out glory. It is too bad that it couldn't stay at this stage for longer! The leaves will probably start to fall just about the time the rainy season arrives, which (according to our children) makes a big messy job. I've taken so many spring and summer pictures of this beautiful tree this year, the least I can probably do is pick up a rake in the fall. Or not. (Maybe I will just take some more tree-watch pictures instead. )
LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities. Thank you to all of the hosts:
MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; THROUGH MY LENS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; SIGNS SIGNS; THANKFUL THURSDAY; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; and SATURDAY CRITTERS;
Let us hope so
Posted by: Michelle Banks | September 20, 2020 at 06:07 PM
Beautiful blooms.It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to gardening here at
http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/09/garden-affair-teaching-from-gardening.html
Posted by: Arun | September 06, 2020 at 04:46 AM
that tree is simply magnificent!! i'm not sure which way we are traveling in that gorgeous tunnel, but we continue to be extremely careful and i am always happy. except today, they closed the pool!!
beautiful images today and cute little duckies!!
Posted by: Debbie | September 05, 2020 at 08:32 AM
Reclaiming wasted or damaged land for natural areas is one of the good things that municipalities and park authorities can do, and your stone quarry remade into a series of wildlife places is a really neat example. Beautiful photos!
be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Posted by: mae | September 05, 2020 at 04:31 AM
Let's hope there is light at the end of the tunnel for everyone. Thankfully we have our wildlife and nature to help us through the dark times. Your pictures are wonderful.
Posted by: Adam Jones | September 05, 2020 at 03:16 AM
Hello Sallie,
Wonderful variety of birds, I love the ducks, egret and the heron. It looks like a great place for bird watching. Beautiful park and a nice walk. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend.
Posted by: EileeninMD | September 05, 2020 at 02:57 AM
Hello. Wonderful collection of photos. The Black walnut tree is awesome. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Anu | September 04, 2020 at 11:45 PM
Love the path leading to the tunnel in the first shot and the duck as well as that wonderful tre image. A kind heart is a
fountain of gladness,
making everything in
its vicinity freshen
into smiles.
Washington Irving
Posted by: Margaret Birding For Pleasure | September 04, 2020 at 11:28 PM
Believing there is light at the end of the tunnel, helps through tough projects or demanding days.
That is a perfectly shaped tree, a beauty in its environment. Have a fine weekend Sallie.
Posted by: riitta k | September 04, 2020 at 09:27 PM
It's really nice to know there's reclaimed land out there around the world being used for wildlife.
Posted by: Amy Franks | September 04, 2020 at 12:41 PM
Lovely photos. The tunnel is great, thanks for sharing your world.
Posted by: Rosie Bailey | September 03, 2020 at 07:19 PM
Love that tree tunnel photo, so pretty.
And the collage of ducks too :)
Have a lovely day
Posted by: Sami | September 03, 2020 at 08:45 AM
Great.
Posted by: Jim, Sydney, Australia | September 02, 2020 at 08:56 PM
How awesome to have something like that made into a park! Here in NZ, there are several abandoned quarries that are made into water and flower gardens.
I'm so excited to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week!! Thanks for linking.
Posted by: betty - NZ | September 02, 2020 at 07:00 PM
So neat to have city parks. thoughtful thinking. And there is light at the end of this tunnel
MB
Posted by: MaryBeth Schwartz | September 02, 2020 at 01:27 PM
...there is a great need to natural areas. Thanks Sallie for stoppin gby.
Posted by: tomthebackroadstraveller | September 02, 2020 at 05:51 AM
I love your positive spin of coming out of the tunnel, Sallie.
That Black Walnut tree is certainly magnificent!
Posted by: Veronica Lee | September 02, 2020 at 01:07 AM
tunnel of hope....
beautiful views as always....great shots.
Posted by: Tanza Erlambang | September 01, 2020 at 05:24 PM
Beautiful shots!
Posted by: William Kendall | September 01, 2020 at 03:28 PM
It is remarkable what can be done with quarries and gravel extraction sites once their economic feasibility come to an end. The best results that I have seen were in the UK where some first class nature reserves have been created. If I am not mistaken, the companies are required to set money aside for remediation so the financial burden does not fall on the taxpayer. It is a happy story that you are able to enjoy nature in this way in Oregon.
Posted by: David Gascoigne | September 01, 2020 at 03:18 PM
Magnificent is truly the right adjective for some trees. Stay safe.
Posted by: Photo Cache | September 01, 2020 at 01:44 PM
I love the tunnel and the thought that we are coming out of the darkness, maybe a hopeful brighter end to this year.
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade
Posted by: Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade | September 01, 2020 at 01:29 PM
so beautiful photos!
Posted by: antonio | September 01, 2020 at 01:19 PM
A hopeful photo at the beginning of your post. I am not looking forward to the winter so enjoy the late summer flowers and trees still in full leaf. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Fun60 | September 01, 2020 at 12:58 AM
Lovely place! That walnut tree is impressive.
Posted by: Linda Walcroft | August 31, 2020 at 10:38 PM
I do like your positive spin on coming out of the tunnel !
That second image evokes a sense of calmness - which I guess we can all do with at this time. Thank you.
Posted by: VAlerie, Australia | August 31, 2020 at 07:14 PM
Such beautiful photos and I love the first one for its symbolic nature. I do so hope we are all going to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel soon. Thank you, always enjoy your posts.
Posted by: DeniseinVA | August 31, 2020 at 04:11 PM
I love it when cities restore places like this, bringing back more of the wildlife is so satisfying.
Posted by: Amy Franks | August 31, 2020 at 01:44 PM
I love your tunnel image. Something I like to photograph as well when I see some. :)
Also love your birds. We have a few white duck too. As you mention probably escapees. But nice to see.
Posted by: NatureFootstep | August 31, 2020 at 12:39 PM
What a wonderful restoration project that was. It benefits the community and encourages the wildlife to return. That is an incredible tree, it's huge and makes me think of broccoli. :) Have a nice week, Sallie.
Posted by: bill burke | August 31, 2020 at 10:49 AM
What a big beautiful walnut tree. My mother used to pick out black walnuts...that's not easy...and put them in brownies. Oh my they are good! Love seeing where you've walked too. I'll be glad when the weather cools and we can get out more here. Hugs!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | August 31, 2020 at 10:24 AM
I love tree tunnels, especially in the summer.
I always enjoy hearing about land repurposed in a thoughtful way as a park.
I love your big tree. I have my favorite trees around town here and I have learned to not take them for granted as sometimes I show up and it is gone.
Posted by: Alan Bates | August 31, 2020 at 09:09 AM
Hello, dear Sallie, reading this Post one, two, three times... Of course, I had to translate, but more to understand. Is there light at the end of the tunnel? ... I couldn't give answere. It's a secret. It's touched me.
Stay healthy and well.
Happy MosaicMonday
Posted by: // Heidrun | August 31, 2020 at 07:29 AM
How lovely! Looks like a wonderful park for a visit. That tunnel is amazing.
Posted by: Lisa | Handmade in Israel | August 31, 2020 at 06:54 AM
We have to keep beleiving in the light at the end of the tunnel so we can find it
My linky is back. Feel free to link up if you visit
Have a safe and happy Monday
Much⚘love
Posted by: gillena | August 31, 2020 at 05:26 AM
The Ponds is a great place to take a walk...good to have it nearby. That black Walnut tree is huge!! Do they get lots of nuts from it? There's tons of Hickory nut trees in the woods here but the nuts are always small and worm infested so I don't bother to gather any. A joke we had in NYC was "the light at the end of the tunnel is Jersey." lol...the Lincoln Tunnel of course.
Posted by: Sondra | August 31, 2020 at 05:09 AM
Hello,
I would love the tunnel path. All the greenery and flowers are a lovely sight. I am sure all the bird and ducks are happy with the pond being restored. Take care, enjoy your day! Have a great new week!
Posted by: EileeninMD | August 31, 2020 at 02:34 AM
A dream come true would be to walk through that tunnel into the light. Your photos of places of beauty in your area are uplifting. The walnut tree is magnificent.
Posted by: Linda P | August 31, 2020 at 02:04 AM
It's always good to se that land has been reclaimed and that the wild life have returned. The Black Walnut tree is madnificent, look forward to seeing your autumnal captures soon.
Happy MM.
Posted by: Julie Margaret Bryant | August 31, 2020 at 01:39 AM
It is wonderful, a realist in a fairy land. Beauty Sallie.
Posted by: Bob Bushell | August 31, 2020 at 01:05 AM
Such beautiful, leafy shots.
Posted by: Lady Fi | August 30, 2020 at 11:25 PM
Love the first pic + words!
Yes, the mess with fallen leaves starts soon. So sad. We had not even a real summer.
But... there must be light at the end of the tunnel, right!!!
Posted by: iris Flavia | August 30, 2020 at 10:32 PM
Enjoyed the information and learned something new, always a good thing. Also liked the comparison of coming out of the tunnel and into the light.
Posted by: Beatrice P Boyd | August 30, 2020 at 07:51 PM
I love to read of restoration.... Thank you for the good wishes. Brie is feeling better. We so enjoy the good days..
Posted by: Rambling woods | August 30, 2020 at 06:23 PM
Sallie - I always enjoy a happy ending such as a reclaimed wild area, especially when it involves eliminating invasive species! I think we are all hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel - without it, life would be pretty gloomy! I don't miss raking leaves, I will tell you that! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
Posted by: Angie | August 30, 2020 at 06:20 PM
I'm so glad the land was reclaimed and is now a park everyone can enjoy.
Posted by: Carol | August 30, 2020 at 04:38 PM
Such interesting history and I'm in love with the first shot. All the photos are great! The photos from your daughters place are great too, that tree is very impressive. If I were you I would definitely stick to tree watching. Have a fantastic week! :)
Posted by: Martha | August 30, 2020 at 04:08 PM
What a beautiful path. “There is light at the end of the tunnel, but how long is the tunnel,” was a very good question late record producer, David Briggs, once asked. As long as they are not underground, tunnels feel enchanting and hopeful, especially those that have two sides.
Posted by: Penelope Notes | August 30, 2020 at 02:51 PM