Snow days

We don't get much snow in SW Oregon. The day after Christmas we received several inches. 

A chocolate Labrador retriever plays in foot-deep snow on a hillside near Elkton in rural western Oregon. The National Weather Service has issues a winter weather advisory for the area with snow predicted for the next several days.

 

Heavy snow falls as a cow stands in a pasture along a country road in rural southwestern Oregon near Elkton.

A group of black-tailed deer climb through a snow covered landscape near Elkton in southwestern Oregon.

Sometimes you're the heron... and sometimes the rodent

A great blue heron catches and prepares to swallow a vole while hunting in a hazelnut orchard near Elkton in rural southwestern Oregon on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. During winter months, it’s common for herons to hunt in pastures and orchards.

 

Kentucky tornado recovery

 I've been working with Heart to Heart International in Mayfield, Kentucky documenting important work helping with recovery. 

Victoria and her 4yo son Ja’Quan lost their home when a massive tornado ripped through Kentucky on the Dec 10, 2021. Inside the Heart to Heart Mobile Medical Unit, parked outside of their shelter, Victoria told her story of survival and loss.

Otter: nom, nom, nom

A North American river otter forages in the Umpqua River near Elkton in southwestern Oregon on Nov. 28, 2021. The otter appeared to be diving to the bottom of the river and catching crayfish.

 

Slippery situation

A large Pacific banana slug slides over a cluster of small mushrooms growing on a rotting log on a damp hillside near Elkton in rural western Oregon on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. The Pacific banana slug is the second-largest species of terrestrial slug in the world, growing up to 9.8 inches long with weights up to 4.1 ounces.

 

Pretty bird

An American kestrel perches on a hazelnut tree sapling in an orchard near Elkton in rural western Oregon on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. The small falcon appeared to be hunting for rodents on the cool sunny morning. 

 

Amphibious vehicle

A rough-skinned newt crawls through rainwater on the edge of a country road near Elkton in rural western Oregon on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. As fall rains soak the area, rough skin newts become active and are often seen crossing roads. 

 

King tide in Oregon

During an unusually high king tide, a family takes selfies from on overlook of the Pacific Ocean at Shore Acres State Park near Charleston in southwestern Oregon on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. The term ‘king tide’ is a non-scientific term that refers to the highest winter tides that occur each year. The King Tides Project (www.oregonkingtides.net) is documenting the effect that extreme tide events have on Oregon’s beaches and coastal waterways. According to The King Tides Project, understanding and documenting the extent and impacts of especially high tide events will help communities predict and plan as sea levels rise due to climate change.

A man photographs the unusually high tide as the surf crashes on the beach at nearby Sunset Bay State Park.

A swarm of photographers gather on the overlook at Shore Acres State Park.

 

It's a small world

A small mushroom grows on a damp hillside near Elkton in rural western Oregon on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. The National Weather Service is predicting foggy conditions for the area over the next several days.

Nearby, dew drops clinging to a blade of grass refract the image of another mushroom.

 

Thanks for the fish! Eagle vs Heron slideshow