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In: Camera

On a fast urban hike, camera in hand, I met several birds along the Willamette in early morning on a cold grey end of November day – the same eagle from yesterday harassed by several crows today and quickly disappeared. Before the sun and the town noises, a flock of geese, several sea gulls and crows filled the early morning. Note: photos tweaked slightly to highlight the birds.Keep Reading …

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In: Camera

Walking around town at the end of November my camera caught a bald eagle fishing under cloudy sky caught a fish in Willamette River and then hung out at the mill race pond but hid from camera. I’ve seen this same eagle around town for a couple of weeks soaring above the river. Yet, it’s dive into the river and successfully bringing out a fish was a first. At the river, grey skies and fadingKeep Reading …

On:
In: Day HIke

I caught a Ridgeline Trail fast-hike as weather turned from cold clear mornings to Oregon winter’s rain, fog, mist and grey sky. After two weeks of cold, clear weather (the last real rain was 11-07, a tiny rain on 11-12), weather bots promised winter rains in the afternoon. The morning temperature was a muggy 40 something and no fog. A great day to enjoy Ridgeline Tr and Spencer Butte. Ridgeline Tr Route The hike IKeep Reading …

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In: Camera, urban hike

Sunrise on Pre’s Trail in 26 degrees this morning started with headlamp on through Alton Baker Park on to Mill Race and around back along Willamette River. Cold air, heavy frost so I’d leave footprints on the bark dust trail, and so few other humans that early … nice! Geese, herons, ducks, a cormorant and a few song birds gathered near warmer water. After a couple hours, the cold got the better of me, andKeep Reading …

spencer butte

On:
In: Day HIke

A 28 degree Spencer Butte fast-hike yesterday (Nov 15) like cross country skiing on hiking boots. Fast up the butte to catch a sunrise. With the cold, staying on highly traveled routes with deicer put the fast-hike start at Ridgeline Trail Fox Hollow trailhead. At trailhead, ice / frost remained on top of car; no question about how cold the air. The Route Catching the sunrise Fast-hike from Fox Hollow to Spencer Butte top takesKeep Reading …

predawn color sky clouds

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In: Camera

Sometimes a camera is in a good spot at a good time, and the sky dances with the sunrise. Eugene November sunrise found the camera perfectly. Caught the same day as the Frosty near full moon post.Keep Reading …

near full moon in clouds

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In: Camera

Out early morning camera in hand to chase a frosty sunrise under a near full moon roaming around the neighborhood. An odd discovery trying to catch photos through up-scale local street -> no view was untaken by a house, except in the middle of the street, greed even here?Keep Reading …

On:
In: Day HIke

A cold Ridgeline Trail ramble over Spencer Butte with snow covering the cascade foothills and fog filling the valleys hit the mark. After internally debating another 90 minute drive to Mary’s Peak, Ridgeline Trail proved the better choice to avoid winter driving risks and additionally being unprepared for winter hiking. Ridgeline in my experience offers more wildlife encounters, too. The rambling route Start at Blanton St trailhead (TH), to Spencer then to S Willamette TH,Keep Reading …

Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 L backpack

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In: Gear

Backpacking season 2022 finished with over 1000 miles hiked around OR and WA. Time to comment on the final backpacking gear kit including which gear needs replaced or updated and gear that helped make a great season. Packing this all into either day pack or backpack will be another post, and a separate post for food too. A quick aside on gear retailers For purchasing new gear, the default retailer is Garage Grown Gear (GGG),Keep Reading …