A Sunday Drive: Waterfalls and Dippers

We took the opportunity today to head for the hills on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The hills, it turned out, were socked in with fog. However once we dropped down into lower elevations, along the Nestucca River, we were below the fog. 

Clarence Creek Falls must be the longest waterfall in the world if you count the stream that doesn't stop dropping after that first sheer plunge.

  The Nestucca River has resident American Dippers all along its' course. We saw two by a bridge where we always see them. Then we headed for Alder Glen Campground which has its own little waterfall... and nearly always a Dipper. It did not fail us today.

It was a nice break from wreath making for me and apple gathering and cider making for Johnny.

A Break in the Rain

Hallelujah! 5 days after writing this, I finally found the magic place to get it out of HTML format so I could actually *see* the photos! But I'll leave it as it is since the photos are pretty self-explanatory. Next post I'll be able to do correctly!

During a break in the rain today I took a walk through our woods. The creek is high. The resident Ruffed Grouse was sounding off... and then running off. Our seasonal pond is now full. On the way back, a Black Phoebe was flycatching from the top of the barn. Later, a flock of Golden-crowned Sparrows were feasting on apples in a tree by the driveway. I have not learned how to integrate photos with descriptions in this new mysterious Blogger format, so you'll have to do it yourself. Hint: I did not get a photo of the Grouse. He left too fast.

November on the Farm

At last, the fall colors have arrived, along with frosty nights and busy days. Well, I guess all the days have been busy this fall. I'm not sure if there's more to do than usual or if we're just slower than we used to be.

Deer are everywhere. Maybe because apples are everywhere.

Yesterday, November 9, we ran our first raptor route of the season. I would put captions on these photos if Blogger would let me see them. In this draft I'm writing all I see is HTML or something gobbledygook. So until this gets straightened out, you're on your own to identify them. There are photos of White-tailed Kites, a well-camouflaged Red-shouldered Hawk, a light phase Rough-legged Hawk (taken from a very great distance), and an American Kestrel (the only bird all day that posed nearby). update: Looks like I can add captions now below the photos...

White-tailed Kites

Red-shouldered Hawk

American Kestrel

Rough-legged Hawk