Monochrome Monday

Milkweed seedpods: Monochrome & Macro Monday

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Milkweed seedpods are beautiful and unique. Milkweed, Asclepias spp., is well-known for attracting monarch butterflies. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to this plant’s flowers. They produce abundant nectar.

milkweed seedpods

In the fall, milkweed seedpods mature and split open. The seeds inside are attached to white floss called coma. This floss allows them to be carried long distances by the wind.

Fun fact: During World War II, when the supply of kapok was cut off by Japan, milkweed floss was used as a substitute to fill life jackets.

Monochrome Monday

Macro Monday

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Polo player sculpture: Monochrome Monday

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polo player

Polo player sculpture, 7th-8th century. Earthenware with traces of white slip and paint. China, Tang dynasty (618-907). Seattle Asian Art Museum.

Monochrome Monday

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Bar Rio in B & W: Monochrome Monday

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I took these two pictures of Bar Rio in B & W during a recent visit. This restaurant is in downtown Bend, Oregon.

When I saw all the lines in the interior decorating, I immediately thought pictures of it would look good in black and white.

bar rio in B & W

restaurant

While the decor was interesting, the food was a little disappointing. I may have to give it a second try.

Monochrome Monday

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Grizzly Falls in B & W: MM & WWE

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Here’s a photo of part of Grizzly Falls in B & W. I took this picture in Kings Canyon National Park and thought it looked best with a monochrome effect. Grizzly Falls is a 75-foot tall waterfall right beside the road.

Grizzly Falls in B & W

Monochrome Monday (MM)

Water Water Everywhere (WWE)

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1914 Model T Ford: Monochrome Monday

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This 1914 Model T Ford is on display near the entrance of the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon. The Ford Company produced the Model T from 1908 to 1927. Over 15 million were sold in that time period.

1914 Model T Ford

Moving assembly lines were utilized to produce this affordable vehicle. Production speed was increased by having groups work together in an 84 step process. In 1913, a car was produced every 1.5 hours. In 1923, production time was cut to 23 seconds. Wow!

In 1999, the Model T was recognized as the Car of the Century.

Monochrome Monday

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Plesiosaur model: Monochrome Monday

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This Plesiosaur model can be seen at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana. This museum has an amazing collection of fossils, articulated skeletons, and models.

Plesiosaur

Plesiosaurs were always one of my favorite dinosaurs as a kid. Pterodactyls, a flying reptile, were also a favorite of mine. I must have admired these creatures’ ability to travel through water and air, respectively.

Plesiosaurs were 11 to 14 feet long and weighed between 400 to 1,100 pounds. They fed on fish, reptiles, and cephalopods. Plesiosaurs disappeared at the end of the Cretaceous period.

Monochrome Monday

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Bobcat in black and white: Monochrome Monday

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bobcat in black and white

Bobcat in black and white at the High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon

Monochrome Monday

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OMSI in black & white: Monochrome Monday

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Today I’m sharing an image of OMSI in black and white. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, Oregon has great architecture for pictures.

OMSI in black & white

It looks interesting from inside and the outside.

Science center

Though you’re supposed to share black and white images for Monochrome Monday, I couldn’t resist showing this pop of red color on the sign. 😀

entrance sign

Monochrome Monday

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A bright future: MM & JMW

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This photo, taken in downtown Bend, Oregon, shows a bright future. I used infrared processing to show the light not always visible to the naked eye.

a bright future

A sign on a lamppost reads, “Shelter, Help, Hope.” It’s from one of the homeless shelters here in town. Sometimes, if people in difficult situations can focus on the light ahead, they can find their way out of the darkness.

Monochrome Madness (MM)

Jo’s Monday Walk (JMW)

Kendall Planetarium ceiling art: MM & SS

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Kendall Planetarium ceiling art

I saw this Kendall Planetarium ceiling art on a recent trip to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), in Portland, Oregon. I thought these metallic strips hanging from the ceiling would look great in black and white. For this post, I’m showing them with infrared processing.

Monochrome Monday (MM)

Sunday Stills (SS) Monthly Color Challenge – Things that are metallic

Backyard buck: Monochrome Monday

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This backyard buck visited our yard on a cool winter day. Mule deer are frequent visitors on our property. Most of the year, we see does and fawns. The bucks are more common in the fall and winter months.

backyard buck

Monochrome Monday

A snowy divide: Monochrome Monday

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I took this picture of a snowy divide in my front yard last winter. Snow mutes colors and I decided to accentuate that by showing this image in black and white.

a snowy divide

Though it may be a while before I get much snow at my house, snow is beginning to accumulate at higher elevations. In Bend, there’s a snowy divide based on elevation. I live at an elevation of 3,400 ft.

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Founder’s Square: Monochrome Monday

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Founder’s Square features a large open-air pavilion at the Oregon Garden in Silverton, Oregon. At certain times of the year, the Silverton Market Garden, located behind the pavilion, is full of color.

Founder's Square

The Founder’s Square pavilion structure is beautiful year round. I’m highlighting its architecture in black and white. This pavilion is one of several venues available for rental at the Garden.

The Oregon Garden is designed to showcase foliage and flowers throughout the year. It’s easy to overlook the architecture and many outdoor sculptures. This is the kind of place where you will notice new details every time you stroll through it.

Monochrome Monday

Livingston Montana: Monochrome Monday

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While visiting Livingston Montana last summer, I was impressed by the well-preserved downtown buildings. Livingston, founded in 1882, currently has a population of about 8,000. This town was established while construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad was making its way westward.

Livingston Montana

To learn more about the historic downtown, consider going on a walking tour. This site gives more information on 22 historical locations in Livingston Montana.

downtown view

Monochrome Monday

Sasquatch sculpture: Monochrome Monday

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This enormous Sasquatch sculpture is part of the Sensing Sasquatch exhibition currently at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon. Sensing Sasquatch considers this mythical creature from a Native American perspective. It will be at the Museum through January 12, 2025.

The Protector was created by Hollyanna CougarTracks DeCoteau (Yakama, Nez Perce, Cayuse, Cree). This work is based on her memories of seeing the shadows of Sasquatch in the forest.

Sasquatch sculpture

She noted that Indigenous peoples admire Sasquatch because they are “protectors of all living things… if they die so too does everything else.”

The fur-covered Sasquatch sculpture was impressive, but so was the way they separated the sculpture from the rest of the exhibit. Long strands of string hung from curving ceiling tracks, adding to the sense of mystery. I loved the shadows created by the curtains surrounding the artwork.

Monochrome Monday

Antlers & horns & skulls: Monochrome Monday

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This antlers & horns & skulls chandelier is at the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum in Yellowstone National Park. A metal circle is adorned with bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain elk antlers & horns & skulls. It’s suspended by heavy metal chains.

antlers, horns & skulls

This museum is small and probably overlooked by many visitors to the park. I recommend stopping by to see its collection of historic bird specimens. If you want to see mounts of many of the park’s birds to help identify them in the field, this is a great resource.

Monochrome Monday

Chiwen roof decoration: Monochrome Monday

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This chiwen roof decoration is at Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland, Oregon.

Chiwen

These dragons, placed on both ends of roof ridgelines, are thought to protect the inhabitants from fires. Fengshui theory says they also protect against floods and typhoons. Chiwen translates to ‘hornless-dragon mouth.’ This dragon likes to swallow things, including evil influences.

Monochrome Monday

What they use to make brews: Monochrome Monday

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This post shows what they use to make brews at Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon. Last year we went on the Barrel House Tour at this brewery. I highly recommend this tour that focuses on their barrel-aged beers.

While on the tour, I thought some of the sights seen in the factory might look good with black and white processing.

to make brews

Monochrome processing highlighted all the angles and straight and curved lines of the equipment.

Beer making equipment

However, I admit, the high alcohol barrel-aged samples consumed on the tour may have made everything they use to make brews look special to my slightly blurry vision. ;D

Monochrome Monday

Giant jaws of Megalodon shark: Monochrome Monday

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Giant jaws of Megalodon shark at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon.

giant jaws of Megalodon shark

Monochrome Monday

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Soda Springs Scene: Monochrome Monday

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The dramatic cloud formations caught my attention in this Soda Springs scene.

Soda Springs scene

Soda Springs is a small city in Idaho known for its geyser and mineral springs. The Soda Springs Geyser is on a timed release valve and it goes off once an hour. Yes, really!

Monochrome Monday

Hook & Plow in Bend: Monochrome Monday

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Hook & Plow is a farm-to-table restaurant that recently opened in Bend, Oregon. The seafood, meats, and produce served here are sourced locally. Wines and craft beers on the menu are also from the local area. Take a peek at their full menu here.

I’m highlighting the interesting architecture with sepia tone processing. Straight lines, curved lines, and various textures stand out in this monochrome picture.

Hook & Plow

Monochrome Monday

A glowing winter walk: Monochrome Monday

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A glowing winter walk in the Old Mill District of Bend, Oregon.

a glowing winter walk

Monochrome Monday

Elk Sculpture in Snow: Monochrome Monday

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elk sculpture in snow

Elk sculpture in snow at High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon with infrared processing.

Monochrome Monday

Old mill in Hines: Monochrome Monday

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An old mill in Hines, Oregon, shown in black and white.

Old mill in Hines

Monochrome Monday

Treasures of the Old West: LAPC & MM

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Here are some treasures of the Old West at the Museum of the American West, in Lander, Wyoming, shown in both color and black and white. Click on the arrows to see monochrome versions highlighting their symmetry.

Wheels may carry you forward, towards new horizons

  • Carriage wheels
  • Carriage wheels

Or back, to a final resting place

  • treasures of the Old West
  • 1880 hearse

You may choose to wander in another’s shoes

  • treasures of the Old West
  • moccasins
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The Three Graces: Monochrome Monday

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These three sandstone formations are located in Tillamook Bay, north of Garibaldi, Oregon. Known locally as The Three Graces, they’re also called Crab Rocks. If the tides are low, they’re a great place to explore when out kayaking. Check tides before venturing there.

The Three Graces

The Oregon coast has several seastacks near the shore. These are smaller in stature, but still very photogenic.

Monochrome Monday

A house of stone: Monochrome Monday

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House of stone

A house of stone, west of Casper, Wyoming.

Monochrome Monday

Structure of wings: Monochrome Monday

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This Curtiss JN-4A Jenny, shown without fabric covering, shows the structure of wings. This is one of the many aircraft on display at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.

Structure of wings

Here’s an informational poster next to the plane. Note the photo of a couple playing tennis on its wings!

Monochrome Monday

Darkness on edge of town: Monochrome Monday

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Darkness on edge of town, east of Twin Falls, Idaho.

Darkness on edge of town

Monochrome Monday

Muttart Conservatory : Monochrome Monday

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Muttart Conservatory

Pyramid-shaped greenhouses at Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Monochrome Monday

Where the path may lead: Monochrome Monday

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I saw this well-known quote on where the path may lead you at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.

Where the path may lead quote

Monochrome Monday

Lighted leaves-Winterfest: Monochrome Monday

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I took this photo of lighted leaves at Winterfest in Redmond, Oregon. Sepia tone highlights the shapes and textures of the leaves on this lighted tree.

lighted leaves

Monochrome Monday

Ladles in waiting: Monochrome Monday

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These ladles in waiting are at the Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site in John Day, Oregon.

ladles in waiting

Monochrome Monday

Dinner at Spork: Monochrome Monday

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Dinner at Spork

I took this picture while having dinner at Spork restaurant in Bend, Oregon. The decor is a mixture of straight, industrial lines and curving lampshades and baskets made from natural materials. Houseplants add a touch of color. The menu includes an eclectic mix of wonderful tastes and textures.

Monochrome Monday

Early morning light: LAPC & MM

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In the early morning light, shadows shift with the rising sun

Early morning light

Playgrounds wait patiently, quiet and still

Harmon Park
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Forest fire ahead: Monochrome Monday

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The smoke from a forest fire ahead of us near Crane Prairie Reservoir was an eerie sight to see. The nearby Cedar Creek Fire reached a size of 127,311 acres and burned for three months. Once wet fall weather moved into the area, the fire was finally contained.

Forest fire ahead

Monochrome Monday

Bison in steamy landscape: Monochrome Monday

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Bison in steamy landscape near Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park.

bison in steamy landscape

Monochrome Monday

Fish sculpture on overpass: Monochrome Monday

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Fish sculpture

Fish sculpture on overpass in The Dalles, Oregon. Salmon and sturgeon leap and splash in churning waves in this metal artwork. This sculpture is by the exit for the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, a sight worth seeing.

Monochrome Monday

Remnants of a Solitary Life: Monochrome Monday

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I found these remnants of a solitary life in my yard yesterday. This is what was left of a Townsend’s Solitaire thrush. I suspect one of our resident Cooper’s Hawks preyed upon it. The cycle of nature continues.

Remnants of a solitary life

Monochrome Monday

Rollin’ across the Columbia: Monochrome Monday

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Rollin' across the Columbia

Rollin’ across the Columbia River near Biggs Junction, Oregon

Monochrome Monday