Northern Paiute shelter & saying at the Oregon Trail History and Education Center, Glenns Ferry, Idaho
“In the beginning, the creator gave to every people a cup of clay, and from this cup they drank their life.” Northern Paiute saying
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
The Star Catcher mural in downtown Portland, Oregon, was painted by Rustam Qbic in 2015. This mural depicts a person with a conch shell head catching stars in a net and using them to light a lantern and campfire.
Qbic’s art contains small details you may not notice at first. Did you see the magical window on the back of the person in the Star Catcher mural?
Rustam Qbic is a Russian street artist whose work can be seen in countries throughout the world. His murals, illustrations, and graphic art pieces are often inspired by literature and classic poetry of Eastern countries. Qbic’s murals include vibrant colors and whimsical elements.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Today, I’m sharing a Wood Duck painting I created. I used acrylic paints on mixed media paper that is slightly grained.
Wood Ducks, Aix sponsa, are one of the most beautiful ducks in the world. They are colorful and have unique markings.
Wood Ducks look like someone couldn’t decide what they should include when they created them. They threw in multiple colors, dots, stripes, iridescence, and striking bill patterns. They’re like something out of fantasy novel.
When I created my Wood Duck painting, I used A LOT of colors. Here’s a picture of my palette and the paper l use to try out colors. I brushed iridescent gold over parts of the head, but it’s hard to see in a photograph.
For the duck, I used sharp lines of color with a little shading. For the water in the background, I took advantage of the paper’s watercolor characteristics. I did a wash of pale green and layered on darker green and patches of pale yellow. I hope it conveys the ever-changing appearance of water.
Before painting the background, I accidentally dropped my paintbrush loaded with black paint onto the unfinished painting. It left a black spot over the duck’s head. Oh no! 😮
I tried an ink eraser and an electric eraser. Nope, those didn’t work.
What did work was a small pumice file meant for fingernails. They work for several purposes, including cleaning stubborn stains in sinks and toilets. Fortunately, the file helped erase my paint mistake. 😁
If you use a pumice file on paintings, be extra careful. It will sand off part of the paper if you press down too hard.
Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.
First Friday Art (FFA)
All my posts this week are related to water. Two show things in the water, and two show things on the water. I included a link to this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge in the two posts showing things on the water.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Looking back to #155 – On the water (LAPC)
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
These salt ponds viewed from above are in San Francisco Bay, California. When I flew into San Francisco, I wondered what these colorful ponds were and had to look it up.
Salt water is collected in a series of ponds and as it evaporates, it turns into a thick layer of crusty salt. Initially, the color is green or brown but it becomes more pink when the water evaporates. The last stage is called “pickle” brine.
Though most people call them salt ponds, they are called “crystallizer beds” by Cargill, Inc., who harvests the salt. The beds are rolled, graded, sloped, and compacted.
Historically, Native Americans collected salt in this area. During the Gold Rush era of the 1850s, demand increased dramatically. Before refrigeration became common, food was preserved in salt. Salt-making continues to this day. After 80 percent of San Francisco Bay marshes were lost to development, there was a shift towards habitat restoration. Restoring those marshlands is part of the largest project on the West Coast.
Windsurfing the Columbia River is a popular activity. On one of our visits to Hood River, Oregon, we happened to be there during a national Association of Wind Water Sports Industries (AWSI) event. In September, they host the AWSI Boards Sports Expo for their members.
You can see windsurfers and kiteboarders up close, and from farther away.
Why is windsurfing the Columbia River so popular? The Columbia Gorge is like a natural wind tunnel. It’s often referred to as the windsurfing capital of the world. Click here to see a map showing the numerous water sports launch sites along the Columbia.
When you’re there, you’ll get great views of the mountains surrounding the Columbia Gorge.
This photo was taken from the south shore of the Columbia.
You can see the Hood River bridge in the background.
If you drive over the bridge, you’ll get more views of windsurfers and kiteboarders. Note Mount Hood in the background.
I took this picture from the north shore.
One of the great things about this sport is that everyone can find a place to watch it from. 😀
Do you want to learn how to windsurf or kiteboard? There are several companies in and around Hood River that offer lessons.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Looking Back to #151 – On the Water
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Beyond the Edge was created by Coast Salish artist, Susan Point, in 2015. This piece was carved from red cedar and painted. It was inspired by spindle whorls Coast Salish women used to spin wool. It was on display at the Portland Art Museum, Oregon in February 2026.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Last week we ate Mexican food at Tacos El Machin in Bend, Oregon. We were pleasantly surprised by the flavor of the food and the reasonable prices.
I ordered the 3 Taco Small Plate. This meal includes 3 street-style tacos with your choice of meat, garnished with onions and cilantro. You also get rice and your choice of whole beans or refried beans. For my tacos, I chose pollo (chicken), al pastor (marinated pork), and cabeza (beef cheek). I liked the al pastor the best and appreciated the simple garnish. The rice and beans were both good and did not include a lot of other ingredients.
My companion ordered fajitas with steak. You can also choose chicken or shrimp. The large serving included small flour tortillas, grilled bell peppers and onions, with a side of rice and beans. The meat was flavorful and tender.
I ordered a Passionfruit Margarita with my meal. It came in a LARGE goblet that was so heavy I had to use both hands to lift it. This margarita had a fresh, fruity taste and was one of those drinks where the alcohol might sneak up on you. It included a straw covered with a hard layer of spices that you can stir your drink with to get more flavor.
In my previous picture, you may have noticed a reflection on the table that says, “$2 tacos.” On Tuesdays and Fridays, tacos are only $2 each. That’s a good deal!.
Their menu also includes burritos, quesadillas, torta, asada, tostadas, camarones, and alambres. They have five kinds of hot sauces, a slightly spicy salsa, and tortilla chips. Tacos El Machin serves churros and fried ice cream desserts. If you want to try these, it’s self-serve. The beverages include cocktails, horchata, Jarrito, and beer.
Tacos El Machin is at 2570 NE Twin Knolls Dr Ste 145 in Bend, Oregon. They are open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm Sunday through Thursday, and from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. They also have restaurants in Albany and Corvallis, Oregon.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
These Origami Wall sculptures are on display at the International District/Chinatown light rail station in Seattle, Washington. The nine 14 x 14-foot painted aluminum sculptures show the steps of the origami folding process. You start at either end and in the center you’ll find two completed pieces; one of a man and one of a woman. These pieces were created by Sonya Ishii in 1990.
There are several wooden benches for you to sit on while waiting for the next train. Trains run every four to fifteen minutes, depending on the time of day.
Here’s a closer look at the Origami Wall sculptures.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
A well-designed garden considers hardscapes and softscapes
in the foreground, middle ground, and background
Hardscape waterfalls and pergolas anchor scenes in the background
In the fall, softscapes of colorful foliage add visual interest
In winter, the structure of leafless trees and shrubs is prominent
Sand gardens serve as a neutral middle ground
In the fall, color is a main character in large gardens
In winter, string sculptures add an element of artistry
Rock-lined pathways curve ahead in the foreground
In the fall, in a well-designed garden, the colors pull you forward
In winter, structures are revealed beneath twisted, leafless trees near bamboo-bordered trails
These photographs were taken in the fall and winter at the Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
I framed this river poem I wrote with an artsy mat. The green paper contains small leaves, and the brown paper includes little bits of bark and sticks. I bought this paper at an art supply store.
I created the blue paper by dripping acrylic paint onto a pan full of liquid laundry starch and gently swirling it. You drop a piece of paper onto this mixture and peel it away to get a marbled effect “print.” It’s a fun process because you never know how it will turn out.
I altered the length and position of each line of this poem to imitate a meandering river. By showing the poem with an artsy mat and changing the layout, it became a unique piece of art. When I entered this piece in a state fair competition, it won a blue ribbon. 😀
Here’s the poem in another format.
River Retreat
Traveling from afar to alight
In an oasis of comfort and contentment
A restful sleep wakening to
A joyful dawn chorus from feathered friends
Breaking the fast with
Nourishment for body and soul
Flying away
Until the river beckons us again
Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Here’s the High Desert Voices April 2026 newsletter for your reading pleasure. Lots of nice photos as well! This newsletter is published by and for volunteers at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon. I’ve been working there as a volunteer since 2013.
Articles this month include one about the Hollow and Still: Photographs Following Fire exhibition and a talk on the long-term effects of wildfire, one on the Prohibition Party event, and one on the Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration exhibition. A calendar of upcoming events and exhibitions is on the last page.
Please enjoy the High Desert Voices April 2026 issue!
To view previous issues, visit the HDV newsletter tag.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
In moments of darkness, I reach for the tool of enlightenment tucked inside my pocket.
Click! Click! Click! Click! I enlighten exhibitions.
4th Floor to Mildness by Pipilotti Rist, Portland Art Museum in 2026, Oregon
Fulfillment of Emptiness by Jang Jin-ik, Portland Art Museum in 2026, Oregon
Forest at Night by High Desert Museum staff in 2026, Oregon
Infinite Moment: Burning Man on the Horizon by High Desert Museum staff in 2020, Oregon
In moments of darkness, I reach for the tool of enlightenment tucked inside my pocket.
Click! Click! Click! Click! I enlighten landscapes.
Subway Cave, Lassen National Forest, California
Sunrise over Bend, Oregon
Steam over hot springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Playa at Summer Lake, Oregon
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Phone Photography
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
There are a lot of places to buy a burger and fries in Bend, Oregon. Today, I’ll feature burgers from three different restaurants.
If you ask a local where to buy a good burger and fries, many will mention Americana first. They used to only serve their burgers from a food truck, but now they have a brick-and-mortar location downtown. They still have a truck at one of our food truck pods.
Americana serves smashburgers. This is a type of burger that’s smashed flat before or during cooking. Their menu is limited to eight burgers, two kinds of fries, soft drinks, beer, and milkshakes. The food truck only serves three kinds of burgers. It kinda reminds me of the ‘Cheeseburger Cheeseburger‘ sketch that was on Saturday Night Live.
Here’s a close up of The Popper burger I ordered. It includes pickled jalapeños, jalapeño cream cheese, white American cheese, caramelized onions, bacon, shredded lettuce, fresh tomato and secret sauce served on a brioche bun. I admit, I like thicker burgers, but I liked this nicely spicey, very flavorful burger.
The fries, shown below, were another story. The pieces were small and didn’t have much flavor at all.
Americana’s restaurant is at 1033 NW Bond St, Suite 100 in Bend. Their food truck is at at the Podski pod at 536 NW Arizona Ave in Bend. Both locations are open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm on Tuesday through Saturday. They’re closed on Sunday and Monday. The prices at Americana are relatively low.
Next, I’m showing a burger from Killer Burger. Their menu includes nine beef burgers, including a Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon one. They also serve three chicken burgers, chicken tenders, and eight sauces. You can order three sizes of burgers, Pint, Original, and Double. Drinks include beer, cider, and soda.
I ordered a Classic burger in the Original size. It included bacon, American cheese, crisp lettuce, tomato, grilled onion, pickle, mayonnaise, and house sauce. I’ll have to go back and try something more unique next time. I thought the burger was better than average, but not outstanding.
The fries, however, were great! Nice and crispy and full of flavor.
Killer Burger is at 20789 NW Henry Ave, Suite 180 in Bend. They are open from 10:30 am to 9:00 pm daily. This restaurant is right next to Costco. They have other restaurants in western Oregon, eastern Washington, and in parts of Texas. Their prices are low to moderate.
Next, I’m sharing a picture of a burger from Bend Burger. I ordered the Pole Pedal Paddle burger. It included fresh cut charred jalapeños, mango ginger chutney, aged cheddar cheese, bacon, and mayonnaise. This burger was a wonderful combination of sweet and spicy. It does get messy, so be prepared. Do NOT attempt to eat this one while driving.
The fries were thick-cut and the serving size was large. However, they were a bit soggy, not crispy.
Bend Burger Company serves eight beef burgers, two chicken burgers, a tri-tip steak sandwich, BLTs, and a grilled cheese sandwich. They also have three salads. Bend Burger makes three kinds of fries, two kinds of tater tots, onion rings, and seven sauces. They serve the usual drinks plus milkshakes in six flavors.
Bend Burger is at 1939 NE 3rd Street in Bend. There’s also a Redmond location. They are open from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm daily. The prices are on the high end, but I’ve never had a bad burger there.
So which place had the best burger and fries? I can’t really say. One burger was a smashburger, one was a classic burger, and one was a gourmet burger. If I rated just the beef patty, not including the bun or condiments, I’d have to say Americana.
The fries were easier to pick a favorite. Killer Burger’s fries were crispy and flavorful, just the way I like them.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Color in photos highlights
a balance of form and function
medleys of wholesome tasty treats
and lanterns of luck and happiness
Color in photos highlights
rainbow rows of vegetables
bright graphic designs on balloons
and the personality of each ornate orchid
Yesterday’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge was to show colorful images in monotone. My post Scenes without color shows six black and white photographs of various scenes. In today’s post, I shared how the same images looked before I edited them by restoring the color. Both versions are beautiful in their own sort of way.
Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) – Restore
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Scenes without color highlight
design elements of feathered finery
Artistic arrangements of snacks
and fantastical architectural forms
Scenes without color highlight
perfection in imperfect patterns
bold and buoyant formations
and the delicacy of floral details
To see these same images in color see my Color in photos post.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Color in Black and White
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
The Infinity Chair is a marble sculpture created by Pedro Reyes in 2018. It’s on display at the Portland Art Museum in Oregon. Reyes is a multidisciplinary Mexican artist who studied architecture at Ibero-American University in Mexico City. Later, he became interested in sculpture.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
When I spoke with a couple acquaintances in Bend about restaurants to try in Portland, Oregon, both mentioned Andina immediately. This Peruvian restaurant opened in 2003. Their website notes how they “bring the warmth of the Peruvian spirit into every aspect of the dining experience.”
You can order small plates, main dishes, sides, and a wide variety of drinks here. We ordered two drinks and shared four small plates on our visit last month. There was plenty of food, and I thought the price was reasonable.
The Anticucho de Pollo is like a complete meal on a small plate. It included a chicken skewer, crispy potatoes, huancaína verde, and salsa criolla. The chicken was nicely spiced and the potato chips were very crunchy.
The Peruvian Scalloped Potatoes was our favorite dish. It included purple majesty & Yukon gold potatoes, and ají panca bechamel, with salsa verde on the side. This dish wasn’t fancy, but it was delicious.
We ordered two ceviches. The Ceviche de Conchas included weathervane scallops, tomatillos, jimmy nardellos, sweet corn, and Walla Walla sweets onions topped with ham dust and cilantro. The scallops had a melt in your mouth texture and the spices gave it a bit of a bite.
We also ordered a Ceviche de Alcachofa. This vegetarian ceviche included artichoke, roasted peppers, avocado, pepitas, ají limo and coconut leche de tigre topped with cilantro and fennel. This dish had a blend of smooth and crunchy textures in a coconut broth spiced up with aji limo peppers.
The Limonada de Maracuya was my favorite drink on my short trip to Portland. This nonalcoholic passion fruit limeade had a refreshing taste. It was so good I wanted to order a second one, but I resisted the urge.
We arrived right when Andina opened and did not have a reservation. We sat at the copper-covered bar counter. This is a popular restaurant so if you want a table, be sure to make reservations in advance.
Andina is located at 1314 NW Glisan St in downtown Portland. It’s open daily from 4:00 to 9:00 pm. Andina serves brunch from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Happy hour is from 4:00 to 5:00 pm daily.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Today I’m sharing a colored pencil penjing drawing I quickly drew this morning. Penjing, or penzai, is the Chinese version of Japanese bonsai. While bonsai often focuses on a single tree, penjing represents a scene in nature in a “three-dimensional painting.”
In China, these plantings have been created since at least the Han dynasty (206 B.C. to 221 A.D.).
My drawing is based on a penjing planting at the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon. In my photo below, the wall of the gift shop made an interesting background.
I’ve always admired the artistry that goes into creating penjings. It requires a lot of patience and foresight.
Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Oregon Trunk Railroad Bridge
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Please Participate by Jeppe Hein 2015 at Portland Art Museum, Oregon
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
When I visited the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon last week, I saw several Lunar New Year decorations. They were prepping the garden for celebrations on February 17, the day the 2026 lunar new year begins.
This impressive dragon was inside one of the buildings hovering over a table and desk.
I zoomed in to get a better view. The colors and textures were gorgeous.
Outside, a jumping fish floated over the pond.
Here is a closer view of it surfacing near an arch, lotus blossom, and smaller fish.
In another part of the pond, a dragon curls around mountains in the clouds. All of these Lunar New Year decorations showed a lot of expression.
Speaking of expression, I’m also sharing a sculpture of a horse at the nearby Portland Art Museum. I thought it was appropriate since it’s the year of the horse. Recent “Horse” years include 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, and 2026.
The chinesenewyear.net website describes those born in the year of the horse as follows:
Horses are lively, charming, and adventurous. In the zodiac, they thrive in lively settings and are often seen as natural leaders and motivators.
This Prancing Horse sculpture, by an unidentified artist, is made of gray earthenware with traces of calcified green lead glaze. The sculpture is from China, Sichuan province. It is likely from Chengdu, Tianhuishan and created in the 2nd century CE.
I really liked the face on this sculpture. Is it grimacing or grinning? Hmm…
For more info and photos about Lan Su Chinese Garden, see my previous post.
Ragtag Daily Prompt (RDP) – Celebrations!
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
I draw in a breath in a moment of astonishment
when viewing artwork, delicate yet strong
And when seeing string sculptures scattered around a winter garden
I gasp with excitement
when two fine drakes line up perfectly for my lens
And when viewing a peaceful place in the center of a bustling city
I draw in a breath in a moment of astonishment
when tasting a marvelous blend of spicey and smooth, cilantro and coconut
And when seeing architectural wonders paying homage to trees
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – What Astonishes You?
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
On a recent trip to Portland, Oregon, I saw this abstract in an elevator. The patterns were created by reflections of lights on the stainless steel walls. At first, I was going to show this picture in black and white, but the different colored lights made it more interesting. This week, I decided to use photography effects that show the designs in even more abstract ways.
I used Corel PaintShopPro 2021 for different photo processing effects on this picture of the elevator. In the original image I increased the contrast and cropped the edges. Use the slider to view each effect compared to the original.
In the first photo, I used a distortion effect. I went to Effects>Distortion Effects>Polar Coordinates and chose the Rectangular to Polar effect with a black background. With this effect, the program “maps pixels from Cartesian to polar coordinates.” Some describe this technique as creating ‘little planets’ from the original photo. With the black background, I thought this image looked like a distant galaxy, with a twist.
In the next photo, I also used a distortion effect. I went to Effects>Distortion Effects>Twirl and used the Right 180 setting. This effect distorts the image by twirling it around its center. I like the swooping action created by this effect. All the straight lines disappeared.
In the last abstract in an elevator photo, I used a reflection effect. I went to Effects>Reflection Effects>Kaleidoscope and used the Default setting with a reflected edge. This effect turns a pie-shaped area of the image into a circular pattern. I like how this effect turns pictures of ordinary objects into something extraordinary.
This freight elevator was in the Portland Art Museum in Oregon. Even a functional item like an elevator was beautiful.
One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge February 2026
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Today, I’m sharing images I created of 3 fish 3 ways. When I took an ichthyology class at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, we visited the aquarium in Vancouver, B.C. Our assignment was to sketch some of the fish we saw and write down notes related to their life history. What a fun assignment! 😀
My first picture shows a pencil sketch of three fish. I drew a Longnose Butterflyfish, Forcipiger longirostris, a Swallow-tailed Angelfish, Genicanthus melanospilos, and a Smoothed Unicorn Tang, Naso lituratus. These three have great common names.
I traced a copy of the pencil drawing and outlined each fish with an ink brush pen.
In the last of my 3 fish 3 ways pictures, I quickly filled in the ink outlines with watercolor pens. The coloring of these fish varies widely.
Note to self… use a good quality watercolor paper next time. Since I used cheap printer paper, the paint dried fast and I couldn’t blend it.
Here’s the watercolor pen set I used. I found it at one of the gift stores in downtown Bend. I like having them organized in a handy case.
Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Designs in… nature
may be spikey and sharp
curve around contours
or fracture along fault lines
Designs in… the human-made world
may symbolize city skylines
carved details of the cosmos
or footpaths leading us forward
Lens-Artist Photography Challenge – Looking back to 174 – Shapes and design
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Joe Feddersen baskets at the High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
A new year has begun, so it’s time to post my 2025 photo bloopers. This is where I share pictures from the past year that didn’t quite fit into any category, were blurry, or had poor composition. I try to add a little humor to them with captions and comments. Hope they entertain you!
What happens when the photographer hasn’t had her morning coffee yet.
“Hamburger? What hamburger?”
The eyes have it!
Mole two ways
“Don’t let them get you down, Herb. You just gotta stick with it.”
The picture I shared and the rest of the story showing what was in the foreground. Use the slider to view each image.
My dog took a selfie. Pretty good, right?
“It was a dark and gloomy night… “
Hope you enjoyed my 2025 photo bloopers. See more of my funny photos on my photo bloopers tag.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Rejected
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
without color
contrasting strands of baskets play a major role
and lesser-known vessels of silver shine
in black and white
a bowl of miso soup reveals a cryptic message
and two tacos grin with a knowing smile
without color
chairs stoically bear the burden of a spring snow
and rejoice under a refreshing downpour of rain
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Minimalism in black and white photography
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
These two well-loved camels are at Volunteer Park in Seattle. Numerous children have climbed onto these large sculptures. Though they may not remember what was inside the museum, they likely have fond memories of their time spent sitting atop these large sculptures. The two camel sculptures flank the doors of the Seattle Asian Art Museum, formerly the Seattle Art Museum (SAM).
Of the nearly 24,000 objects in SAM’s collection, two sculptures have probably had the broadest impact on visitors’ experience of the museum since it opened in 1933.
The original marble camels were created in the late 14th-mid 17th century in China. Due to conservation concerns, in 1991 the originals were moved inside SAM. Today, the well-loved camels outside the Seattle Asian Art Museum are replicas.
Here is a 1933 picture of the Art Deco-style building that shows two camel and two ram sculptures in front of the museum.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Today, I’m sharing some of my 2025 favorite photos I posted on my blog. I’ve divided them into four categories: Countryside, Cuisine, Critters, and Cultural Attractions. Enjoy!
I’ll begin with a picture of a sunset I took with my drone from my backyard in Bend, Oregon. Stunning, right?
The next picture, also taken with my drone, is on the east side of Steens Mountain, Oregon.
This picture shows Burney Falls in action in California.
The next is of the Red Canyon Overlook in Wyoming. I loved the layers of earth and sky.
This picture shows the aptly named Reflection Lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California.
Though I have featured food photos from many locations in past favorite posts, this year all of them happen to be in Bend, Oregon.
This picture shows one the many dishes served during the Foodie Crawl in Bend. It was a Crispy Chicken Bite & Biscuit paired with a mojito at The Drake.
I love salads. This is the house salad served at Oblivion Pour House.
This photo shows the Original Bowl at Café Yumm! There is rice hiding underneath all the veggies. Delicious!
One of the main dishes I sampled during a recent visit to Yokocho Izakaya. This is the don teriyaki.
A yummy brownie with ice cream beautifully presented at The Blacksmith.
Here’s a pronghorn from behind in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
This is a photo of my very comfortable cat resting on my lap.
This photo shows a tiger in a blur of motion at Fota Wildlife Park near Carrigtwohill, County Cork, Ireland.
The side-blotched lizard was soaking up the sun in Arches National Park, Utah.
I got a nice close up of this Cattleya orchid in Volunteer Park Conservatory, Washington.
One of my favorite cultural attractions I saw this year was the Exquisite Creatures Revealed exhibition at OMSI in Portland, Oregon. Be sure to check out the other pictures I took of this unique exhibit.
This polo player sculpture is at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, Washington. I liked the horse’s expression in this small sculpture.
This photo shows a variety of sea anemones at the Seattle Aquarium, Washington.
This whimsical VW van firepit was featured at Winterfest in Bend, Oregon.
I decided to show this portable cattle squeeze in black and white. This dramatic photo was taken in Crane, Oregon, near the hot springs.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Favorite Images of 2025
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Today I’m sharing a deer drawing and video. I used black and gray pens to create this drawing of a mule deer buck.
I see mule deer regularly near my High Desert home. They often trigger our security cameras. I’m sharing a couple of videos of a healthy buck checking out our cameras in the middle of the night.
A week ago, while out walking in the Old Mill District of Bend, I had a close encounter with a deer. A doe charged at me, stopping within three feet of me. There were two fawns and a young buck nearby. The trails were icy so no one else was out there walking. There weren’t any trees nearby to hide behind, so I stood my ground, waved my arms, and yelled at her to go away. She listened to me eventually and left.
Protective doe and her fawn
Earlier this year, we had a fawn “trapped” on our fenced property. Though he was big enough to jump our 4-foot tall wire fence, he didn’t have the confidence to try it. His mother was very protective of him and charged at us and our dogs several times. After ten days of putting up with that behavior, I chased the reluctant fawn out of our yard by running towards him with a walking stick. He jumped the fence easily.
Deer may look tame, but they are wild creatures who will not hesitate to protect their young. My advice is to admire them from a safe distance. 🙂
Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
This outdoor art by OMSI is on Southeast Water Avenue in Portland, Oregon. The mural is right across the street from the main entrance of OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
I believe the mural artist is Mario De Leon. The mural appears to include elements of Egyptian art, Aztec symbolism, and Black history.
The bird sculpture, Migrations, was created in a collaborative process by several people. These include: artist Olivia Guethling, Engineer Trevor Blackann, GuildWorks Founder & Principal Mar Ricketts, and many others. To read more about the creation of this piece, see Migrations: A Long Way From Home.
There are lots of amazing things to see inside the museum, but this outdoor art by OMSI was an unexpected treasure.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Yokocho Izakaya restaurant serves what it calls “Japanese & Asian comfort food.” It opened earlier this year in northeast Bend, Oregon. The restaurant was created by Kwanchanok Singhakahm (Chef Kwan) and Phanpat Namsr (Chef Nong), both originally from Thailand. A recent article notes that they enjoy serving Tokyo street food-style dishes here because it’s their “passion”, not to make money.
The interior is a work of art. Colorful posters, lanterns, and flags fill the space. Repurposed milk crates serve as seats at some of the tables.
In fact, I thought the interior was so interesting, I used a picture of it in the One to Three Photo Processing Challenge. In that challenge, participants show a single picture processed three ways.
Lines of customers waiting to get in can get long here. Near the entrance, there’s a yellow wall-mounted Pac-Man arcade game to pass the time.
There’s a small outdoor seating area by the front door.
Their menu includes skewers, salads, small plates, noodle dishes, rice dishes, and several sides. There are a few dessert choices as well. Yokocho Izakaya restaurant has a large selection of sake, served hot or cold. Drinks include cocktails and mocktails with interesting names as well as beer, wine, tea, soft drinks, and Thai tea.
On my first visit, I had a bento box and the house sake. As you can see, it doesn’t look like a traditional bento box. This one included miso soup, seaweed salad, gyoza dumplings, karaage fried chicken with lemon aioli, and a yaki onigri (grilled Japanese rice ball glazed with sweet sauce). I especially liked the gyoza and chicken. Though I’m no expert on sake, I really liked the flavor of the sake I ordered.
On my next visit, I ordered several dishes. My first picture shows sides of Edamame and Agedashi Tofu. The steamed edamame beans were nice and salty on the outside and moist inside. The deep-fried tofu had a crunchy thin layer on the outside and silky and soft inside. The tofu is served with a dashi sauce and a topping of scallions and bonito flakes. Both were very good.
My next picture shows a serving of Okonomiyaki. This seafood pancake is covered with okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise. The garnish includes bonito flakes and seaweed. I thought it was good, but craved a stronger seafood taste.
The next photo is of the Teriyaki Don main dish. The grilled chicken is served with teriyaki sauce , and veggies, garnished with scallions and sesame seeds. The chicken was moist and tender and I really liked the flavor of the sauce. I preferred this chicken in this dish over the karaage chicken I had on my previous visit.
My dining companion ordered the Karaage Curry main dish. The chicken is deep-fried and served with a Japanese curry sauce. The sauce was tasty and the dish was beautifully presented.
I’m including two photos of the menu.
Yokocho Izakaya is open six days a week from 12:00 to 3:00 pm and 5:00 to 9:00 pm. It is closed on Wednesdays. This restaurant is located off the beaten path at 1900 NE Division St., Suite 110 in Bend, Oregon.
I’ve liked Yokocho Izakaya so far. However, several people noted how uncomfortable the milk crate seats at some of the tables are in their comments. Perhaps they can address this issue in a creative way.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Here’s the High Desert Voices December 2025 newsletter for your reading pleasure. Lots of nice photos as well! This newsletter is published by and for volunteers at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon. I’ve been working there as a volunteer since 2013.
Articles this month include one about the Soil Alive! exhibition, one on the Joe Fedderson: Earth, Water, Sky exhibition, one on the Winter Nights! event, and one on wildfire smoke. A calendar of upcoming events and exhibitions is on the last page.
Please enjoy the High Desert Voices December 2025 issue!
To view previous issues, visit my HDV newsletter tag.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Early 1900s Woman’s Leggings at the High Desert Museum, Oregon
Wordless Wednesday (WW)
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
On my blog site, I have organized my pictures that are waiting for a prompt. These include regular prompts I use, like Wordless Wednesday and Monochrome Monday. There are also folders where I store things like plant, animal, waterfall, and old building photos. Today I’m sharing some of these pictures.
Landscapes can be full of color,
or dark and brooding.
A wild creature close by can shine in a neutral background,
while one farther away can still show a powerful presence.
Artwork can be lighter than air,
or anchored to a concrete wall.
Some photos waiting for a prompt don’t seem to fit into any category. Though I can control the vertical and horizontal, what is the best way to present them?
When you look at them from one angle, they may hold beautiful flower arrangements.
When you look at them from another, they may be the perfect serving dish for chips and dip.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Last chance
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
The Charmed (Bestiary) sculpture is part of an exhibition featuring works by Joe Feddersen (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation). The Joe Feddersen: Earth, Water, Sky exhibit at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon, features nearly 100 multimedia pieces of his art. It runs through January 18, 2025.
This fused glass and filament piece is part petroglyph wall, part wind chime, and part charm bracelet. The glass charms shift with the slightest breeze, reflecting the constant changes in nature.
The delicate clear glass pieces of Charmed (Bestiary) are beautiful on their own, but the shadows they cast take this piece to another level. Can you find the person walking, birds flying, coyotes, and bicycle charms?
Monochrome Madness – The space between
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Today I’m featuring a tiger mug. I originally drew this piece with pen and ink. Later, I added color with acrylic paints. It was printed onto ceramic mugs by a professional printing business.
I drew this when I was running for a School Board Director position many years ago. Our mascot at the high school was a tiger and I put this image on my campaign literature. It must have worked because I won over a longtime incumbent. 😀
Since I like to print artwork on things people can actually use, I had a big batch of tiger mugs printed. I also printed some onto canvas grocery bags.
I’m including a photograph I took of a Sumatran tiger. Though tigers are known to sleep 16 to 20 hours a day, I caught this one at a wildlife park in a blur of motion.
Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
When I visited a newer restaurant in Bend recently, it was a feast for the eyes. In this post, I experimented with photo effects at Yokocho Izakaya. This restaurant serves Japanese and Asian comfort foods. I’ll be posting a review after I visit it again in the near future.
I used Corel PaintShopPro 2021 for different photo processing effects on this picture of the restaurant. In the original image I increased the contrast and fill light and cropped the edges. Use the slider to view each effect compared to the original.
The first picture of the restaurant shows a Hue effect. For this image processing I went to Adjust>Hue and saturation>Hue map>Neon glow setting. My Yokocho Izakaya photo already had a lot of color. This effect intensifies all the colors.
The second picture of the restaurant shows an Artistic effect. For this image processing I went to Effects>Artistic Effects>Contours>Default setting. The colors are muted with this effect and contour lines are incorporated into many of the shapes. Note the customer at the bar nearly disappears with this effect.
The last picture of the restaurant shows a Time Machine effect. For this image processing I went to Effects>Photo Effects>Time Machine>Albumen setting. I tried several monotone processing effects, but I liked this one best. This effect highlights the many shapes and textures in the restaurant.
With so much to see at this restaurant, it was a challenge to decide which photo effects at Yokocho Izakaya to feature. The food is artfully presented as well.
One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
Birds on the move, flapping wings of bronze
Or paddling alone in cool, calm waters
Flocks in the city, fluttering and chattering together
Or pairs peacefully standing beside secluded shorelines
Raptors on the ground, squatting in subdued shades of gray
Or songbirds resting, clad in brilliant shades of the sky
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC)- Wings
Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!
