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Night Photos 2006

Seven Graylands — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 23:22:31 +0000

Portland Oregon Anti-War Protest 2006

Seven Graylands — Sun, 19 Mar 2006 23:06:53 +0000

Large anti-war protest with 10,000+ people in Portland Oregon. The following 10 pictures were taken from various places downtown during the march.

I don’t think there is need to comment on most of these pictures.

From the Peace & Justice Works website:

“As the third anniversary of the US war and occupation of Iraq approaches, local Oregon/Washington peace and social justice organizations are firming up plans for a large-scale rally and march calling for withdrawal of US troops. This latest mobilization opposing the US policies in Iraq has the overall theme “End the War, Begin the Peace” and is set for Sunday, March 19th, at Waterfront Park, north of the Morrison Bridge, in downtown Portland. Organizers say that there will be literature tables and music, and that folks are invited to gather at 1:30 PM for a rally set to begin at 2:00 PM. A peace march through downtown Portland will begin at 2:30 PM.”

Portland IS a coffee kind of town.

Timberline Lodge 2006

Seven Graylands — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 23:17:54 +0000

January 2006 I stayed at the Timberline Lodge in Oregon. This is the hotel featured in Stanley Kubrick film The Shining. Ok, so the outside of the hotel was in the film, the inside was really a set based in part on The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park in California. (Check out some of these pictures. Can’t you see Jack typing away in the Great Lounge?)

Of course if you’ve been to Timberline and watched the movie you’ll notice some of the outside hotel shots are the Timberline while others are someplace else.

Anyway, the Timberline is far more rustic inside than the hotel in the movie. Here’s a few shots from the trip.

The drive up feels like the movie.

The outside at night in the show feels a bit like the movie as well.

This is just inside the front main door.

The view from the first and second floor windows is not that great.

Third floor balcony in the main hall. Yes, that is snow covering half the 3rd floor window.

Cat Treats

Seven Graylands — Sat, 23 Jul 2005 23:03:47 +0000

I swear, this is just how the mouse was presented.

Mouse Tar Tar with a sprig of fresh oregano

This next picture is slightly odd. Our cat Puck brought us a different mouse. The Mrs scooped it up with a small garden shovel and flipped it over the sea wall into the blackberry bushes (where most of these guys end up). The only thing – it got caught on a overgrowth down the path. It hit a thorn and stopped in mid air. I almost died laughing.

We left it hanging that night as a warning to all the other mice in the area.

Fishin’ Jesus

Seven Graylands — Fri, 22 Jul 2005 23:02:28 +0000

Jesus is back and looking for trout.

Random River Critters

Seven Graylands — Fri, 22 Jul 2005 22:57:28 +0000

The Osprey like our part of the river because it's so shallow -perfect for fishing. They fly over and hover looking down into the river for a catch. If they see one they'll rotate over and drop head first into the water. A pretty impressive sight for such a big bird.

This big male was just waiting.

Momma duck and her few day old babies.

She had nine to start out with.

A fine looking duckie.

Worlds cutiest duckie picture

Gimpy the Goose

Seven Graylands — Fri, 22 Jul 2005 22:55:29 +0000

If Gimpy had a best side, this would be it.

Gimpy Yoga

Sleepy

Gimpy and I having a little snuggle. More then a few times he'll move in and touch his big beak bump to my face.

Canadians, Africans and Mutants

Seven Graylands — Sun, 17 Jul 2005 22:30:13 +0000

Being on the river I have enjoyed watching the little geese families milling around. One lot, I call them the mutant goose family, have been my favourites. They must be a cross between Canadian geese and perhaps a domestic goose. They mingle with the other Canadians and seem well accepted, but they’re a funny looking bunch.

Two of the mutants hatched 4 babies. They’re older then the other hatched Canadian off spring. I’ve started calling the mutant babies Teen Goose Squad. They’re just at the point of losing their yellow fluff and getting their markings. They’re about the size of ducks.

Anywhooo.

One of the mutant geese is this hearty bird. Perhaps 1/4 larger then the Canadians. It’s got a really gruff call – not really a “honk-honk” as much as a “hhhhhrank-hhhhhrraaank”. I’ve gotten quite fond of this guy as he really stands out.

About 3 weeks back I noticed he walks with a pretty bad limp and has started shaking his head a fair amount. I’ve kept my eye on him hoping he doesn’t get worse. In the last week or so I’ve noticed he seems to be moving around fairly well out of water so I figured he healed ok or perhaps it is a birth defect I never noticed before -he is a mutant goose after all (I learn later Gimpy isn’t a mutant at all. He’s an African Goose)

Today Gimpy was down at the bank with his (her?) mate and Teen Goose Squad. About 15-20 other Canadians were there and about 10 other younger fuzzy yellow geese.

I thought it was time to introduce myself. I grab a bit of old bread (not too much as I know it’s not the best for them) and head down to the bank.

At first I was welcomed by a feisty big Canadian fella. He put his head down and gave me a hisssssss warning. I put my head down and walked towards him. He backs off a bit. I start handing out little bread bits and the mutant goose family start heading over.

Gimpy is a bit unsure of me. He stands along the edge of the group making little “unk-unk” noises. His mate Spotty however walks right over to me with the kids in tow. I offer out a few little bread pieces and they come closer. After about 5 minutes of talking quietly to them and handing out tiny bits of bread they’re eating from my hands. Gimpy is still off to the side.

One of the grouchy Canadians decides to charge one of the mutant goslings. I decided to run an interception. I walk toward the Canadian, put my head down and walked him back into the water.

That’s all it took to win Gimpy over.

I went back to the shore and squatted back down. I offered out a few more bread bits and Gimpy hobbled right over to me. He ended up with his chest pushing on my knee asking for food. Moments later I was surrounded by the entire mutant clan. Dorky, Spotty, Honky, Squaty, Bumpy and Gimpy. It was rather cool.

A couple of the little ones got so brave they walked under me between my legs. I could reach out and place my hands on their backs and they didn’t freak out. Gimpy let my run my hand down his neck and pet the front of his chest with my hand.

Of course my reason for wanting to get close to Gimpy is to check out his foot and head to see if I can see anything wrong. It was easy to get a look at his head. A few times he leaned into me and was just inches from my face. His bill and head were a bit scared up. I didn’t see any open wounds or anything that looked fresh. Perhaps the Canadians pick on him (“Honk honk. You’re an ugly goose eh.”) or he got thrashed by some critter.

I wondered how I’d take a closer look at his foot. I decided I’d see if he’d let me touch it. At one point he was facing away from me and I reached down and touched his gimp leg. He didn’t move. I lifted his leg up and he didn’t move. He just let me do it. I got a full look at his leg and bottom of his webby foot. He stood there the whole time just looking at me not worried in the least..

It was pretty cool. A wild critter allowing my to inspect him like that. Being allowed to mingle with the goose family. He never seemed bothered at all.

I spent another 10 minutes with mutant goose family before heading back up to the house.

Spotty

Two of the young Canada Geese

GIMPY!

Gimpy is a fine looking African Goose

Gimpy eating.

One of the youngest Canidians around at the time.

A member of teen goose squad.