The weather forecast for last week called for rain and flooding, but here in our corner of the Willamette Valley we were instead blessed with sunshine and blue skies most days and very little rain.
One morning, we went for a ride through the pretty farm country west of town to the small town of Junction City and then on BLM roads through the surrounding hills down into a coastal valley.
Bill likes to drive these curvy mountain roads. We probably drove about 40 miles in this backcountry and in 4 hours did not see a single other car or person. There are a lot of places like this around our area. I do think about how easy it would be to be lost and have to admit that I checked to see if there was cell service. (There was. I guess nowadays it wouldn't be as easy.)
The drive was really a long-way round to the farm (otherwise known as our daughter and son-in-law's home.) We stopped to look at the migrating pelicans on Kirk Pond -- the wild area that is within walkable distance of their house. Most of them were on the other side of the water, but these three were nice enough to swim closer to the shore.
A quick tour around their backyard on this blue-sky late February day. Spring is on the way (although the groundhog did see his shadow here, so we hedge our bets).
Tree watch, late February
Stellar Jay, Scrub Jay, and Common crow.
Three different (noisy) birds all enjoyed the same blue sky in the same winter tree.
We brought a few branches of these harbingers of Spring home. (There are pictures of the pussy willow tree in last week's post -- the tree has branches to spare.)
Sunny February days are a gift here in Oregon. Thankful for blue sky days and the time to enjoy them.
Linking this week to the following sharing opportunities. Thank you to the hosts.
MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; THROUGH MY LENS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; SATURDAY CRITTERS; and RATHER B' BIRDING
Sunny February days in Oregon – it is really wonderful that you take the time to explore every little detail of natural abundance around you. 40 miles with no one around sounds like bliss to someone trapped in an over-bustling cosmopolitan garbage-dump. Those pelicans are so sweet. Please write more such blogs – to remind us that whatever little nature that surrounds us is precious.
Posted by: Kritika Panase | April 06, 2021 at 04:17 AM
Beautiful photos. Glad you enjoyed a sunny, refreshing day. The bright blue sky looks blissful.
Posted by: Monica Singh | March 25, 2021 at 10:11 AM
Beautiful birds and lovely shots from nature. It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to Gardening, Nature and birds here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2021/03/garden-affair-spring-flower-bellis.html
Posted by: Arun Goyal | March 09, 2021 at 01:12 AM
Hi Sallie, What a great trip you had on the curvy mountain roads to the coastal valley. Neat photos indeed! A great blue sky day for the trip. I do love photos of flowers and trees with blue sky above. Thanks for taking us along on this journey. Wishing you and yours a fine week ahead. John
Posted by: John's Island | March 07, 2021 at 10:31 AM
Hello Sallie,:=) Our country roads look like the one you took to your son and daughter-in-law's house. Pussy Willow is out here to, cherry blossom, and yellow broom. Your Spring images are lovely, and the blue sky makes a journey all the more pleasurable.Your bird images are great, and it was a most enjoyable read.
It was so nice to see you on my blog.:=)
Posted by: Breathtaking | March 07, 2021 at 03:44 AM
Wonderful Sallie. Scenery, birds, and that beautiful corner you created with the turquoise vase & pussy Willow.
For taking time from your day to share your photos with us at IRBB, I send along my thanks!
Posted by: Anni | March 07, 2021 at 02:21 AM
It's always so welcome to see the first signs of Spring! Love seeing what you see there so far away. Enjoy your weekend!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | March 06, 2021 at 01:19 PM
Oh lovely blue skies that look like spring has sprung...
Posted by: Michelle Banks | March 06, 2021 at 01:04 PM
That looks like a drive I would enjoy. Thanks for taking me with you via your photography.
Posted by: Carver | March 06, 2021 at 11:04 AM
Beautiful shots. Looks like a nice place to spend the time.
Posted by: Dina Johnston | March 06, 2021 at 06:59 AM
These are beautiful images. Spring is Marching fast towards you!
Posted by: Shiju Sugunan | March 06, 2021 at 03:55 AM
Amazing that you didn’t see other cars while driving these scenic back roads. We are also waiting eagerly for spring, which seems immanent some days, very distant on other days.
be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Posted by: mae | March 06, 2021 at 03:50 AM
Hello Sallie,
A ride in the country sounds nice, great sightings of the birds. I love the White Pelicans and the Scrub Jays. The spring blooms are pretty, I like the pussy willows you brought home. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend!
Posted by: EileeninMD | March 06, 2021 at 02:59 AM
Spring is due here any day now.
Posted by: Linda Walcroft | March 05, 2021 at 10:58 PM
I am rather envious of your spring blooms, Sallie, and just this week a friend who lives in Eugene, OR sent me images of crocus and daffodil blooms in his neighborhood. It will be many more months until we see anything close here in Nashua, NH, although the snow is slowly dissipating. I like winter but am so ready for warmer weather to be outdoors walking around. Back roads are such a joy to explore and my husband, like yours, takes them every chance he gets even if it does mean we get lost once in a while.
Posted by: Beatrice | March 05, 2021 at 01:50 PM
What beautiful photos but what I like most was your glorious blue sky!!! How grand to live in such clear air! Right now my blue sky is being coved by lacy clouds. . .Have a grand weekend!
Posted by: Cathy Keller | March 05, 2021 at 09:56 AM
Beautiful images, gorgeous shades of blue. We have been having a lot of sunshine as well, and it is a welcome gift.
Posted by: Debbie | March 05, 2021 at 08:41 AM
The sun is a gift, we could not live without it! I just listened Klara and the Sun by the Nobel winner Kazuo Ishiguro, a novel where the sun has an important role. Warm greetings over to you Sallie.
Posted by: riitta k | March 05, 2021 at 01:41 AM
Greetings and Salutations from Illinois! Enjoyed the road tour with you. I loved those pussy willow branches brought into your home and put into such a colorful vase. Be safe.
Posted by: JM Illinois U.S.A. | March 04, 2021 at 07:39 PM
Beautiful scenery
Posted by: Jim, Sydney, Australia | March 04, 2021 at 05:01 PM
What lovely photos! Gotta love those back roads!
Posted by: Suzy Godfrey | March 04, 2021 at 03:13 PM
Beautiful photos. I know I would like living in your area. So much natural beauty. Driving for 40 miles without seeing another car or human sounds like heaven!!
Posted by: Peter B. | March 04, 2021 at 02:31 PM
Everything will be blooming soon.
Posted by: Photo Cache | March 04, 2021 at 10:31 AM
Ahhhh, bliss!
Posted by: Iris Flavia | March 04, 2021 at 02:19 AM
Beautiful weather. Love the beautiful nature and birds in your area.
Posted by: Nancy Chan | March 03, 2021 at 11:20 PM
Wonderful signs of spring and gorgeous blue skies!! You always share some awesome scenery with us.
I'm glad to see you this week at 'My Corner of the World'!
Posted by: My Corner of the World | March 03, 2021 at 10:32 PM
A backcountry drive is quite the pleasure on such a nice day. You already have blooms! Enjoy your emerging spring.
Posted by: Barb | March 03, 2021 at 05:25 PM
Spring is always encouraging especially with lockdowns etc, it's nice to be able to get out in the fresh air.
Posted by: Amy Franks | March 03, 2021 at 11:39 AM
lovely selection of photos, the pelicans are magnificent birds
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | March 02, 2021 at 11:35 PM
I'm finally with the big birds and thought of you. Not to mention the alligators and exotic erotic orchids.
Posted by: Colleen Looseleaf | March 02, 2021 at 05:50 PM
I’m still waiting for the promised rain. Now the experts are saying this weekend. Too long, so I asked the Husband to sprinkle the back. That was a nice drive you took to the farm. Is Cottage Grove still rural? I once thought I could live there. Happy trails, Sallie.
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | March 02, 2021 at 04:41 PM
Afortunadamente hizo un tiempo muy bueno, que ha permitido salir a pasear por el campo y fotografiar todas las bellezas que has encontrado en él.
Posted by: Antonia | March 02, 2021 at 11:21 AM
I once ran the Scandia Run in Junction City. So much fun! It was part of a big Scandinavian heritage festival they had in town. What a lovely place. Thanks for stirring up the good memories.
Posted by: Laurie | March 02, 2021 at 09:33 AM
What a beautiful ride through nature. Spring is definitely in the air there.
Posted by: Yvonne | March 02, 2021 at 07:29 AM
It's all so beautiful where you live, Sallie, you probably hardly missed going to Florida - and you're farther away from Donald Trump too! Now there's a reason not to go to Florida!
Posted by: David Gascoigne | March 02, 2021 at 04:47 AM
Wonderful blue skies! And adorable pelicans...
Posted by: Lady Fi | March 01, 2021 at 11:05 PM
Sallie - we also enjoy driving country roads, many of them unpaved. We call it wandering aimlessly, which is really a misnomer because we have a destination in mind! But I think it is about the idea that we don't know what we will experience or what we will see. So fun!!! Glad you are getting some blue sky days! Thanks for linking up to Mosaic Monday!
Posted by: Angie | March 01, 2021 at 07:25 PM
Beautiful shots!
Posted by: William Kendall | March 01, 2021 at 06:07 PM
I really enjoy sunny Winter days! You took good advantage of it. Love seeing those blossoms and the pelicans! Happy March to you!
Posted by: ellen b. | March 01, 2021 at 03:18 PM
Beautiful nature photos ~ love our 'feathered friends' and the pussy willows ~
Happy Week to you,
Living moment by moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: A ShutterBug Explores | March 01, 2021 at 03:10 PM
Oh ... the pussy willows are so pretty in the sky blue pot. These trees were once quite easy to find in my neck of the woods but seem a rare sight nowadays. Thanks as always for sharing your world.
Posted by: Penelope Notes | March 01, 2021 at 02:22 PM
Good you got the Great Weather...and so good you were able to get away from it all into the backwoods...amazing there is a cell signal back there I can barely get one here at my house. Your spring is way ahead of ours here. Have a great Week.
Posted by: Sondra | March 01, 2021 at 01:09 PM
The photos are so beautiful Sallie. It sure looks like you had a nice ride that day. I'm so glad you have been having nice weather too. It's already getting so hot here, it was 85 yesterday with a real feel of 90 - ugh!
Posted by: Martha | March 01, 2021 at 04:49 AM
Your post is a gift in itself Sallie. Love these photos! Happy March!
Posted by: DeniseinVA | March 01, 2021 at 02:55 AM
you had beautiful weather and I love all your photos of blue skies, birds, and flowers
Posted by: Carol | February 28, 2021 at 05:51 PM
Yes, we get spring. And I thankful too for warm temperatures and some snowflowers in our garden. The husband drive his first Tour with the Goldwing! I agree with you.
Lovely the branches in the Vase.
Happy MosaicMonday
Posted by: Heidrun | February 28, 2021 at 03:31 PM
Love the mountain photos and scenery. So very peaceful.
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade
Posted by: Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade | February 28, 2021 at 02:44 PM