Variety, the spice of life

Could it be that not everyone is as interested in looking at bird photos as I am?  It’s hard to believe, but I think it’s true.  :)  So today, dear readers, come along with me on a trip to the farmer’s market in Burn, OR.  You’ll notice that there are not any pics of the market itself since it was really less than exciting, but the journey there and back was worth the trip.

Just getting down the six mile entrance road from the refuge was a lesson in careful driving.  Some one must have let the cows loose, because they were scattered all over the road.  So I ended up dodging cows, fragrant fresh “pies”, and about a dozen deer.  Many of the deer were just loosing their spots, so they were a little unsure of what to do about an oncoming vehicle.  :)
First stop was at the Narrows, where the two lakes meet.  I had to see if there were any new arrivals.  This American avocet was working the shallow waters.
Not far away was a young ring-billed gull flying in to join an adult, and a trio of white pelicans cooperatively hunting for a meal.  Those pelicans always remind me of a synchronized swimming team as they gracefully glide along in tandem, and then all turn inward at the same time to scoop up some fish.
Then I saw a young mallard shaking himself awake after a little snooze.  First you shake…
then you spread your wings to get the kinks out,
and then you calmly paddle away.

As I made my way along Hwy 205 through the ranchlands, a cattle drive was calmly taking place.
That is until the cattle decided they wanted to go a different way, and made a 90* turn right for the cowboy.
It wasn’t long, though, before the two cowboys and their dog had the herd back on the straight and narrow.  :)  It’s nice that there isn’t much traffic on this highway, so I could just stop in the middle of the road and watch this vignette transpire.

Eventually, I made it to town and the market, and was able to pick up a few fresh vegetables, but there weren’t very many tomatoes to be had and no corn on the cob.  :(   I did stop at one other booth, and made a purchase.
For you crafty types out there, these are hand crocheted small picture frames and flowers.  They are used in scrapbooking.  My daughter, Robyn, enjoys this hobby (or at least she did before she had two babies:)), so I picked these up for her.  I’ll be putting them in an envelope and sending them her way next week.

On the trip back to the rig, I stopped to take a few scenic shots along the way.
That’s the valley down there, and the refuge begins just before those mountains way in the distance.  From this height, the valley looks like a patch work quilt of circles and squares.  Pleasing scenery for the 35 mile drive home.
I leave you bird lovers, cowboys, ranchers, and crafters with this final pic of a harvested hayfield.  I just like the curves and symmetry of these fields.  :)

Thanks for stopping by….talk to you later,  Judy