Icy Cline Falls: Sunday Stills

February 5, 2023February 24, 2023 / SoyBend / 11 Comments

I took a short hike yesterday to get a memorable view of an icy Cline Falls. Visitors can park at Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint and hike a 1/2 mile trail along the river. There’s also a place to view them from above near NW Eagle Drive and NW 74th.

Cline Falls is on the Deschutes River, 4 miles west of Redmond, Oregon. The river splits into several channels and the waterfalls are 20-feet high and 50-feet wide.

This area is part of the Deschutes River Paddle Trail. Cline Falls is classified as Class-3 and paddlers are required to portage their watercraft around the falls.

Continue reading →

A winter wonderland: Thursday Tree Love

December 22, 2022December 22, 2022 / SoyBend / 15 Comments

There’s a winter wonderland in my yard near Bend, Oregon. My favorite western juniper is dressed up for the season with a few inches of snow.

Snowfall softens edges while sharpening the contrast. It can also mute colors, as it did in this photo. The structure shines through, even on a cloudy day.

Thursday Tree Love #138

Winter aspen silhouette at sunrise: TTL & SF

February 11, 2022February 11, 2022 / SoyBend / 6 Comments

A winter aspen silhouette with a dramatic sunrise in the background photographed in Bend, Oregon. Spring is making an early appearance here in the High Desert and trees may be starting to leaf out soon.

Yesterday it was 73 degrees F here! Our high temperatures are usually in the mid-30s to 40s at this time of the year. We are having a weird, mild winter.

Thursday Tree Love #123

Skywatch Friday

River otter on ice: Monochrome Monday

January 3, 2022January 2, 2022 / SoyBend / 13 Comments

I saw this Northern river otter on ice a few days ago along the Deschutes River in Bend. If you walk early in the morning, as I like to do, you’ll get to witness magical moments such as this one.

Monochrome Monday

Frosty ponderosa pine pom-pom: MM & MM

March 29, 2021March 26, 2021 / SoyBend / 2 Comments

Close up view of a frosty ponderosa pine pom-pom in black and white.

Monochrome Monday

Macro Monday

Snow-capped mountain ash: Thursday Tree Love

February 25, 2021February 24, 2021 / SoyBend / 16 Comments

Snow-capped mountain ash berries are a delicious dessert for our feathered friends.

Thursday Tree Love

Old one’s last winter haiku: Haiku Prompt Challenge

February 16, 2021February 16, 2021 / SoyBend / Leave a comment

bound by ancient roots
branches sway in desert winds
old one’s last winter

Ronovan Writes Haiku Prompt Challenge – Bound and sway

Walking with Winter in B & W: LAPC

February 14, 2021July 9, 2021 / SoyBend / 15 Comments

Walking with Winter along a River of Falls

Where snow softens hard edges of steel

Walking with winter - Matched pair sculpture

And creates ephemeral works of whimsey

Where snow and ice form furrowed bridges

Continue reading →

Oak tree at Newgrange: Thursday Tree Love

January 28, 2021January 27, 2021 / SoyBend / 12 Comments

I saw this old oak tree at Newgrange, County Meath, Ireland last winter. I think they are one of my favorite trees without leaves. Look at those branches!

Thursday Tree Love

Resplendent with crystals of snow: LAPC

July 25, 2020July 25, 2020 / SoyBend / 18 Comments

Winds shift and winter blows
In from the farthest reaches of
North, carried on cold fronts
Turning landscapes into
Enchanted scenes
Resplendent with crystals of snow