Friday, May 22, 2015

Spring Flowers, Pretty Birds and Yarn

Hello my friends, welcome!  Our DIL Kristi captured a new photo of our rare bird visitor - the Lazuli Bunting.  She didn't even know she'd also captured a Goldfinch in the same image.  Isn't this neat?


When I came home from swimming on Wednesday I pulled in and asked Kristi if she wanted to drive up and see if the Columbia Tiger Lily wildflower was in bloom near Vista House.  She said sure, so she and Caleb jumped in the car and off we went.  The lilies were only in bud, but we did find some nice colorful Columbine.


Oh the lovely Columbine, how do I love thee.. let me count the ways...


This was the scene behind our flowers.. :-)  That is the Columbia River flowing West to Portland, Oregon on it's way to join the Pacific Ocean.



When they built the Historic Columbia River Highway they built these "crow's nests" for people to rest and enjoy the view down the river.  Caleb is enjoying himself with his mom and grandma.



We then headed to Portland Women's Forum.. because I never pass the chance to see the view from there UP the river and to see Vista House.



I'm still amazed that I can get this quality of an image of Vista House by zooming on my LUMIX from Portland Women's Forum!



Rooster Rock seems to have sprouted a new green hairdo.  :-)


There is Rooster Rock in the bottom left hand corner and Washington State across the river.  I love the big green pastures there.  The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area was passed in order to protect the gorge from being over developed - had it not passed, you would be seeing massive residential developments spreading across the farmland.



Rooster Rock's "Mohawk" hairdo.  :-)



Across the parking lot were masses of Queen Anne's Lace.. I'd been wanting to capture an image of them close up... 


And even closer - each round bunch is a perfect posy.


Back home - this Calla Lily has bloomed for the first time since I planted it as many as 8 + years ago!  



I did some bird photographing, too.  Love me some Goldfinches.  They love thistle seed.



On the deck I thought it was fun to see a Fuchsia as the little round bud was just opening.


They open to these pretty ballerina flowers.


I walked near the Hummingbird feeder hoping to capture an image.. snap.. snap.. snap - finally one good enough to use.


I asked my dear husband to help me roll up my huge skein of natural white alpaca so I could start my new project - a Summer Shawl using the Elise pattern.  


My friends, this was a LOT of rolling of yarn!  600 yards!  The Elise pattern calls for 400 yards, so I will have enough for a lacy edge, I hope.  I got this yarn when we visited the Alpaca farm above Hood River.


This ball is bigger than a large grapefruit.  And so soft!


I needed the pattern and chart to get started but soon got into the rhythm of it and don't need to look at the chart.


Here is what I have so far.  I'm so pleased to have a nice project to work on.


I wanted to show you some great photos that Kristi got on our gorge drive.  I love this one of the top of a Columbine.


She also found this unusual red fern.  



And she also got a close up of the red fern frond.. cool!



When we arrived back at the farm, she hopped out of the car and got a shot of the Poppies being grown in the pasture across from us.  Several Laotian families share a rented pasture and grow flowers for the farmers markets that serve the Portland area.



I am happy that Gracie is back from her trip to California and will be meeting me at the pool in a few hours.  Yay!  I hope you have a nice weekend!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)  

18 comments:

  1. Oh my, such gorgeous photos of birds and blooms! You are inspiring me to put some of my nature photos on my blog. Think I might just do that today, before I head to my daughter's house for the weekend. Her family is going camping, and I am dog-sitting. I'm taking some yarn with me and I think I'll work on some hats. :) Anyhoo, I have never seen a red fern like that before. Beautiful!!

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  2. You and Kristi really should submit some of your photos to Birds and Blooms magazine, Teresa! You both have some amazing photos. I have not even downloaded my photos in the last two weeks, but I have been taking some so maybe I will have time after swimming this afternoon :) Your new shawl is looking pretty already. I made headbands and scrunchies for Rachel and Joss in CA, but forgot to take photos of them. Looking forward to seeing you soon! xx

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  3. I love your photos of the birds, Queen's Anne Lace, columbine and fern frond especially well! Very beautiful! Love the yarn you are using for your summer shawl--it'll be extraordinary. Have fun swimming-I need to get some work done before the Hubby Man gets home:):)
    Blessings, Aimee

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  4. You are both such professional photographers, the blooms and the birds are a real sight, beautiful. The shawl is coming along nicely, stunning yarn. Have a great weekend.

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  5. Wow, what stunning views, that's an amazing spot. Somewhere I could sit for hours I think. Your bird photos are wonderful, beautifully captured. Well done Dayle for sitting there with all that yarn. How long did it take?! I'm wishing you both a very good weekend. CJ xx

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  6. It sure was worth the wait to see such a beautiful Calla Lily - too lovely.

    Poor Dayle, that's a huge skein of yarn. You need a swift & cake winder!

    The LUMIX does a great job & well worth the cost.

    Have a wonderful swim today. Be careful around that wet tile.

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  7. Beautiful photos Teresa ....Kristie is such a good DIL you're a good team. Enjoy your weekend x

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  8. As usual, beautiful pictures....it is so hard to get good hummingbird pictures.

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  9. My hummingbirds are drill sergeants, dive bombing me if I don't replace the sugar syrup quickly enough. They're very camera-shy at my house.

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  10. Beautiful photographs!...and how kind is your dear Dayle to hold your lovely skein of yarn so patiently x
    ....that's a lot of yarn, Teresa! ;-)
    Happy weekend to you and yours!
    Susan x

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  11. jealous of your hummer. We had just one visitor two weeks ago..none since. feeder up, changing food...waiting
    Buntings! I have never seen one and want to
    love the columbine..mine are deep purple.
    Love your vista shots

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  12. Thank you for the photos of the birds, flowers and gorge. You live in such a beautiful place! Your hubby is so patient! Is he being a statue while watching tV? LOL.

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  13. Teresa, Your photos are just stunning, every single one of them. Love the photo of Dayle helping you put! Your Elise shawl is going to be gorgeous.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  14. I agree with the comments about you and Kristi's photography. You really should submit some. Your shawl is coming along so beautifully. I really enjoy working with alpaca, especially baby alpaca. I can't wait to touch yours someday! :-). Hope you're enjoying your weekend.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  15. The hummingbird photo and the two birds at the beginning of the post are amazing photos!

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  16. Beautiful photos of beautiful things. Love them all. Have also had DH hold the yarnike that- he said he used to do same for his mum :-) Hugs Anne x

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  17. What beautiful photos of the natural world, you live in such an awesome location!

    Your yarn holder looks very patient :-) and that shawl is coming along a treat.

    Helenxx

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  18. So lovely to see all these beautiful photos! Especially of the birds!

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