Day Thirty-One

This was taken February 2005. We have a duck pond near our house, and although this was taken long before we moved to this neighborhood, I have always loved this park. It used to be home to around 100 or more ducks and geese. The city began to post signs forbidding people from feeding them, saying it was a detriment to the animals and the park. Now we have around 25 or so, and I still see people feeding them, myself included.

Camera: FujiFilm FinePix A340

F-Stop: f/4.8

Exposure: 1/110 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Thrity

This was taken May 2008 at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The jelly fish are stunning! It is mesmerizing to watch them float. I would recommend to everyone going there, in Newport. They even have an underwater tube that you can watch the sharks swim all around you!

Camera: Samsung S85

F-Stop: f/2.8

Exposure: 1/15 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-200

Day Twenty-Nine

I took this September 2007 at the Portland, Oregon LDS temple. If you have never been there or driven past it, you should. The building is beautiful! My husband and I were married here, as well as all of my siblings. This is the reflecting pool in the front where many bride stand to get a picture of them and the temple reflecting. In fact I took this on the same day as my brother-in-law’s wedding, and I took many pictures of his bride in front of this pool. Again I recommend going to see the temple grounds if you can!

Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT (Thank you Matt)

F-Stop: f/6.5

Exposure: 1/125 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Twenty-Eight

This was taken June of 2006 when I was on a walk with my family. We were walking on a path from a street in northwest Corvallis to Walnut Park. It is a paved path, and very beautiful to do in the spring, summer, and fall. This trio of flowers stood out to me, and I felt like they were screaming for me to take their picture.

Camera: FujiFilm FinePix A340

F-Stop: f/5.6

Exposure: 1/60 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Twenty-Seven

I took this picture January 2008. This certainly wasn’t the first frost of the season, as we had some snow that year, but it certainly was beautiful! I love the read berries you find on trees during the winter, it just makes it seem more… wintery, I guess.

Camera: Samsung S85

F-Stop: F/2.8

Exposure: 1/250 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-50

Day Twenty-Six

I took this March 2003. It is of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, just north of Newport, Oregon. It is a beautiful lighthouse and they even let you walk up to the light itself. The view from the top is amazing! I can only imagine what it must have been like for sailors and seamen to man the lighthouses in the late 19th century (this lighthouse was constructed in 1872).

Camera: FujiFilm FinePix 2300

F-Stop: f/11

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Twenty-Five

This was taken September 2008 just south of Canby, Oregon at a dahlia farm. Dahlias are one of my most favorite flowers. I think they are just so darn beautiful! The variety in color, the vibrance, and the sheer size is just phenomenal! I dedicate this one to my Aunt Denise, who grows some of the most beautiful dahlias ever!

Camera: Canon Rebel XS

F-Stop: f/2.8

Exposure: 1/480 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-64

Day Twenty-Four

This picture was taken yesterday as well with my Canon XS. We were walking back to the car from Alsea Falls, and my husband kept bugging me to get a shot straight on to the sun. I’ve taken those shots before and I do love how they turn out. After enough nagging, I gave in and took this shot.

F-Stop: f/10

Exposure: 1/200 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-400

Day Twenty-Three

This picture was taken today with my Canon XS. We headed to Alsea Falls again today. They were overflowing this time of year, so the shots were amazing! I took over a hundred pictures. However I did have to choose just one, so here it is.

F-Stop: f/29

Exposure: 1/2 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-200

Day Twenty-Two

This picture was taken last night, January 21st, with my Canon XS. Have you ever had one of those moments where you saw the sky and just knew that the sunset or sunrise was going to be spectacular? I went out yesterday around dinner time to get my son from a neighbor’s house only to see the blue sky with clouds smearing it that were subtle shades of pink. At that moment, I knew, I just knew that something amazing would happen with the sky. So I got my son and had him race me back home. I grabbed my camera, and here is my shot. I would describe this as the sky being on fire! The peak in the background is Mary’s Peak. (If you click on the image it will become larger.)

F-Stop: f/5.6

Exposure: 1/60 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-400

Day Twenty-One

This was taken October 2004 with a Canon Rebel Ti. As life goes, I was busy today. So this is not a new shot, but another older one that I love. As I mentioned in my first post, fall in the Willamette Valley is gorgeous. Here is another testament to that. The diversity in one tree alone is awe inspiring. I just love the reds and yellows all mixed together.

Photograph Details: Unknown

Day Twenty

I took this shot today, January 20th, with my Canon Digital Rebel XS (which I will simply refer to as my Canon XS in future posts). As I mentioned in my last post, everything here in the valley is dead. Some winters we get snow, but most winters are just like this one. So what’s a girl to take pictures of when the world around her is dead, there are no waterfalls, mountains, or beaches close by, and there is no charisma to be found. Well I make do with what I am given and improvise! I found a near-by stream called Oak Creek here in Corvallis. It runs from western Corvallis past the fairgrounds, through OSU, and I am not sure where it ends up, perhaps in the Willamette River.

F-Stop: f/29

Exposure: 5 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Nineteen

This was taken June 2003 with a FujiFilm FinePix 2300. It is my hopes of spring to soon return, along with life and greenery in the Willamette Valley. It is also for all you romantics out there who already have Valentine’s in your heart! This was taken at the Portland Rose Garden. It is an up close shot of some pale pink miniature roses. They came in large clusters, and so it was easy getting a shot that was simply roses and no bush.

F-Stop: f/11

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Eighteen

This was taken with a Samsung S85 in December 2008. Another wintery wonderland shot for you. This was again at my parents in northwest Corvallis. I love this shot because of the rich green and sky blue colors in contrast with the snow. It makes me want to just run out there are throw snow in the air!

F-Stop: f/4.9

Exposure: 1/569 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-50

Day Seventeen

This photo was taken March 2007 with a FujiFilm FinePix A340. It is at Cape Mears in the northern part of the Oregon Coast. I love it because it show the diversity of our coastline, from the rocky cliffs to the wide open sandy dunes. Not many coastlines change in topography as much as ours does here in Oregon, and I am grateful we live so close to enjoy it all.

Photograph Details: Unknown

Day Sixteen

This photo was taken June 2003 with a FujiFilm FinePix 2300. It is at some rapids called Boxcar on the Deschutes River. My family used to go rafting down this river every summer. It is located probably 100 miles east of Portland by a town called Maupin. It is a wild river to raft, and depending on the what month you go and what the mountain run-off is, you could have some outrageous or tame rapids. Either way the scenery is superb!

F-Stop: f/4.8

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Fifteen

This picture was taken December 2008 with a Samsung S85. After all it is winter right now, even it the weather in the Willamette Valley doesn’t show any signs of it. It does on occasion snow here, as this picture is proof of; it was taken at my parents house in northwest Corvallis. We had loads of snow that winter, a stark contrast to the winter this year. Every year I hope for a white Christmas, and in 2008 I got it!

F-Stop: f/4.9

Exposure: 1/239 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-50

Day Fourteen

This is of the Oregon Coast in May 2003 with a FujiFilm FinePix 2300. I took this at South Beach just south of Newport. It is one of my favorite beaches in Newport, and one that I have many fond memories at. This is a good showing of the Oregon Coast in summer. The somewhat overcast skies, with the sun peeking through every now and then, and the waves gently rolling in and out.

F-Stop: f/4.8

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Thirteen

This was taken at Alsea Falls in November 2005 with a FujiFilm FinePix A340. I love Alsea Falls, and I am planning another trip down there (it is roughly 30 miles southwest of Corvallis) soon to take more pictures. This time it won’t be for a class, and I will have a much nicer and newer camera to work with. It is a beautiful cascade of water with several levels, some of which even have pools before falling again. It is a fun spot to play at in the summer for a cool down, and a beautiful spot to go hiking at in the winter.

F-Stop: f/2.8

Exposure: 1/210 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Twelve

I took this picture January 2005 with a FujiFilm FinePix A340. It was taken in grass fields just sprouting southwest of Corvallis. Oregon claims to be the grass-seed capital of the world, and the county next to us claims to be the the actual grass-seed capital, but there are really grass fields all up and down the Willamette Valley. In this shot it looks like sunset, but I took these shots in the middle of the day. This was a fun shot for me to take because I love to get perspectives that people don’t normally look at.

F-Stop: f/5.6

Exposure: 1/60 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Eleven

This was taken July 4th, 2004 atop Mary’s Peak just west of Corvallis. It was taken with a Canon EOS Rebel Ti. Mary’s Peak is over 4,000 feet and the tallest peak in the area. You can see, on a clear day, all the way to Mt. Adams in Washington, and down past Mt. Bachelor southeast of Eugene. It is a spectacular sight to see. I was up there watching fireworks with some friends, you could see two cities on the coast and four cities in the valley fireworks, in addition to any illegal ones people were doing. It was fun to watch from up there, and I am glad I had the experience.

Photograph Details: Unknown

Day Ten

This was taken in northern Corvallis on July 4th, 2007. It was taken with a FujiFilm FinePix A340. I love the fourth of July, not only for what we are celebrating, but because I love fireworks. I can remember going out to a farmer’s field in Nebraska to watch the fireworks in the distance of downtown Omaha. These were personal fireworks, which I have grown to love just as much. Although Oregon’s law restricts many fireworks that I enjoy the most, there are still plenty that can produce quite a blast!

F-Stop: f/2.8

Exposure: 1/2 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Nine

This was taken outside my apartment complex in northern Corvallis in January 2008. It was taken with a Samsung S85. I learned a little trick in my high school photo class; you spray a little water on a spider web and it’ll really pop in your picture. Now this water was created by nature in the form of morning dew, but I would have to agree that it really makes the web pop.

F-Stop: f/2.8

Exposure: 1/30 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Eight

This was taken February 2008 on a hike that me and my family went on near our apartment in northern Corvallis by Chip Ross Park. It was taken with a Samsung S85. The tree had fallen and was severely worm-eaten. However, the most of the swirls and knots were formed by the tree itself. I have never seen such a sight before or since on any tree. It was so fun to climb on and around and see all the different designs in the wood.

F-Stop: f/4.9

Exposure: 1/384 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-50

Day Seven

This was taken July 2003 with a Minolta SLR camera. Not all my shots are digital, and this was one where I was experimenting with some black and white film. This is some wheat fields in the Willamette Valley south of Corvallis. I love the dramatic clash between the light and dark in this picture. I honestly can’t put my finger on it, but I just love this shot!

Photograph Details: Unknown

Day Six

This is a classic shot of the Three Sisters from the Bend area. It was taken June 2005 with my FujiFim FinePix A340. By the end of this blog (if there is an end) I hope to have more shots that are more dramatic and moving than this one. I do love this shot, but honestly, it is by far not the best work I have done. It was a beautiful day, and a wonderful view, but I just know I can do better than this.

F-Stop: f/9.5

Exposure: 1/180 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-64

Day Five

This picture was taken in Eastern Oregon, between the towns of Stanfield and Hermiston in August 2004. It was taken with a Fuji Film FinePix 2300. For those who haven’t been out in that area, I have only ever been there in the summer time, but every time I was out there there was a beautiful sunset every single night. I’m sure I will share more pictures that I took out there, but trust me when I say, if you want a breathtaking sunset, go to upper eastern Oregon in the summer. If you do, here is an example of what you’ll find!

F-Stop: f/4.8

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Four

I took this shot at D River State Park and Beach in April 2006 with my FujiFilm FinePix A340. It was a wonderful spring sunset, as most are in the spring at the Oregon Coast. In fact anyone who lives along the Oregon Coast will tell you the best months to travel to beach are between April and October. The sunsets are spectacular, the weather is tolerable and sometimes even pleasant or downright wonderful! I have been to the beach in April and May many times, and I think that is by far the best months to travel there. The weather is nice, the scenery is splendid, and the landscape seems to just come alive in that time period.

F-Stop: f/2.8

Exposure: 1/140 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-50

Day Three

As you can see I am a huge fan of Sunsets and Sunrises. This was taken September 2006 with my FujiFilm FinePix A340. It was taken in the Corvallis Alberston’s parking lot, hence the street lamps in the shot. The cloud flow mixed with the array of colors makes this shot a memorable one! When you see skies like this, you can’t help but sit and stare.

F-Stop: f/2.8

Exposure: 1/60 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day Two

This was taken December 2006 with a FujiFilm FinePix A340 camera. As expected, it is a sunrise taken at approximately 7 AM. This was in my parent’s neighborhood, and I was on my way home from work. I saw the sunrise in passing and stopped the car immediately. I could not help but admire the beauty. In the far distance you can see the Three Sisters peaks. I usually carry my camera with me, and with this picture, you can see why.

F-Stop: f/3.7

Exposure: 1/60 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-100

Day One

This is an oldie, but goodie. This is one of my favorite shots. I took it October 2008 with a Samsung point and shoot camera. I love it because it shows the wide array of colors that fall in Oregon can bring. The foliage in Corvallis usually looks like a bag a Skittles with all the reds, yellows, oranges, and greens. It never ceases to amaze me at the bold and striking colors you see driving down the road.

F-Stop: f/2.8

Exposure: 1/45 sec.

ISO Speed: ISO-50