The raven dreams in color...

 

It isn't much, but someone used to live here...

 

The swallows will return to the wetlands soon. Nest building starts in April, they say. They're surprisingly trusting.

 

Someday barns like this will all be gone.

 

Steampunk? No, it's a steam-powered thresher that's well over a hundred years old.

 

Here's a pair on full alert, looking for handouts, and dropped goodies.

 

Closer to Mt. St. Helens, altitude about 2000 feet, a few trees are beginning to show some leaves. Spring!

 

Marvin and Mrs. Marvin are scouting for goodies among the new shoots and water lily pads in the wetlands... Spring!

 

No fish, but it's a lovely afternoon to be on the lake...

 

A beautiful barn!

 

And here comes Hermione, the Heron!

 

It's Marvin the Mallard coming in for a landing!

 

Peaceful, and quiet, I love to watch them.

 

As the sun gets lower in the sky, here's one last shot from the beach...

 

The surf, stirred up by storms, is positively glowing!

 

The distant roar of the waves, and the way the light hits the hills-- The magnificence of the Northern Oregon Coast.

 

Can anyone have more fun on the beach than a dog with his little red ball?

 

Footsteps...

 

They're called "stacks"--- the outcroppings on the Oregon coast.

 

Freedom! See how her arms are outstretched. What could be better than a gallop on the beach!

 

And it's a long way down from here, too!

 

It's a long way down!

 

I think these guys are looking for mates!

 

Mine, mine, mine! The Heron thinks all of this is his!

 

The only sound was a squirrel who was very annoyed with humanity in general...

 

Gotta dance!

 

A happy couple, together forever...

 

A lovely, peaceful day on Silver Lake...

 

He's a little different, but he doesn't eat much...

 

This is another one of my favorite spots. The Forest and the afternoon light combine to make this a place where you can believe everything will be OK.

 

What a sky!

 

He's back! And his song is better than ever!

 

Surprise!

 

As darkness falls, this little dock on Silver Lake seems like a wonderful place to be...

 

Thursday was a beautiful day! The temperature was in the low 60's (F). Max and Matilda are back in the wetlands and told me how much they're looking forward to Spring!

 

Herons are never in a hurry.

 

The stars are coming out tonight, and the temperature is dropping...

 

A bit of winter sun-- But things will start popping up soon.

 

Geese in the twilight...

 

Sometimes in the forest, any forest, it's easy to imagine the inside of a cathedral...

 

It looks like a rainy weekend...

 

Magic!

 

Surrounded by the winter beauty of this part of the wetlands, the Heron is waiting for the slightest bit of movement in the water...

 

I love the trees and the sky from this angle!

 

A beautiful moment!