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In: Fast hikes

A fast hike on Ridgeline Trail (Eugene Parks) end-to-end and Spencer Butte on a foggy morning winter solstice 2022 to catch the sunrise with more other hikers than a non holiday. The trail condition perfect after the rains without puddles or mud yet not hard on feet and legs. The hike Start was Spring Blvd trailhead leaving the car around 7:00 with headlamp barely lighting up through the fog. First to the top of SpencerKeep Reading …

desert sunrise on snow covered mountains

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In: Camera

Several early cold morning photos from Palm Springs with snow on the mountains around the valley. Most of the pictures are from around Indian Wells, but cover the full length of the valley from the Salton Sea to Palm Springs Tram.Keep Reading …

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In: Urban hikes

Urban hiking Pre’s Trail to Hendricks Park passing through University of Oregon campus on a clear and cold December morning. With temperatures below freezing, runners and other walkers were few, but the birds plenty. Geese, ducks and gulls made their presence known, and the warmer water in Mill Race and ponds had ducks of several types, cormorants and blue herons. Passing Autzen Stadium on way back home, an osprey perched above a pond fishing –Keep Reading …

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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 …

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In: Fast hikes

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 hikes

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 …