Hunting hawk, nesting osprey and a duck
Post

Out and about around Pres Trail this morning and several neighbors were definitely in ‘spring mode’. The nesting osprey at Autzen were both in a well built nest (it looks like), and a solitary red-tail hawk perched above the meadow … Read More

Feeding hummingbirds again
Post

Feeding hummingbirds again this winter after stopping because neighbor’s cats invaded the feeding area – just not fair. For most of the fall, the feeder remained empty. But with all the cold weather this winter, around the solstice, I started … Read More

Nesting herons and osprey and flowers, oh my!
Post

Nesting herons and osprey and flowers, oh my! Urban hiking Alton Baker around sunrise with birds everywhere, even an eagle flew up / down the Mill Race looking for a meal. Sure looked like spring, even though it rained, snowed … Read More

Fast-packing from Gossamer Gear
Post

Gossamer Gear posted a good summary of “Fastpacking” which is about as close to what I practice as I’ve seen published. Here is their definition: Fastpacking is the love child of trail running and ultralight backpacking. Fastpackers cover long distances … Read More

Ridgeline equinox sunrise
Post

Hiking Ridgeline and Spencer Butte for the equinox sunrise in dense wet fog as the woods turn toward spring – just spectacular. Birds were everywhere, the cooler temperatures and wet fog kept most but the dedicated out of the woods, … Read More

Urban hiking the parks along Willamette River
Post

With ice and snow covering the Cascade foothills, urban hiking the parks along the Willamette River all from my front door made for a perfect cold but dry March morning. Hikes at OR coast or in the valley were considered … Read More

Ridgeline and Spencer in ice and fog
Post

Hiking Ridgeline and Spencer Butte in ice and heavy fog after last week’s snow and yesterday’s good hard rain made for a) difficult hiking above the trees on the stone steps covered in thin clear ice, and b) beautiful foggy … Read More

Last winter snow on Spencer Butte
Post

Last winter snow on Spencer Butte hike on only 2 small stretches of the trail and more than 15 deer around the trail pre-dawn. Compared to last week with snow limiting risk-free hiking above Ridgeline Tr, the trail is almost … Read More

Outdoor ethics: Gossamer Gear on LNT
Post

Favored gear manufacturer Gossamer Gear (website) published a great post on Leave No Trace Behind. My backpack = Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L (review). For all hikers, the above post is worth the read, and further reading can be found below: … Read More

Gillespie Butte, Alton Baker & Hendricks Parks
Post

Urban hiking through and between three Eugene city parks, Gillespie Butte, Alton Baker & Hendricks Parks, on a dry March morning with great blue herons stealing the show. *reminder, clicking on photos opens higher quality item The Route through the … Read More