Today I woke to pouring rain. But as is typical for this part of Oregon, it can be raining one minute and the sun will be shining the next. Today was no exception.
By mid afternoon the sun was shining and the big, black storm clouds were receding into the distance. I went down to the Old Mill District to see what was new. I found a lovely, small patch of wildflowers at a small park. They have recently seeded a larger area of wildflowers that I will have to go back and check out in another month or so.
A little farther down the road, I came across two outrigger canoes along the bank of the Deschutes River. Back in the day when I lived in Hawaii, I raced on an outrigger canoe team for one season. I had so much fun racing that season – these canoes brought back a lot of wonderful memories. Yes, landlocked Bend does have outrigger canoe racing.
Another beautiful day in paradise.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
What a beautiful bird!
I’m not sure what kind of bird it is, but I loved the orange/red splash it has.
I love your photography, you always seem to have such a great mix in your posts, a perfect picture of the rain drop, flowers, canoes and bird. It is so refreshing to have an eye like yours for the detail of photo composition… A natural knack you seem to have for perfect combinations… I’m in awe…
Thank you John. What a nice thing for you to say. Have a beautiful day.
Beautiful shots Maralee! 🙂
Thank you so much, Zelmare.
Lovely wildflowers! Have we discussed our Hawaiian heritage before? I grew up there!
You did tell me you grew up there. Where did you live and go to school? What year did you leave? I was there from 1974 – 1999. My husband was born and raised there.
I grew up on the windward side of Oahu. Graduated in 1974 from Castle High School. Stayed in Hawaii except for one year away until 1981, then moved to the mainland. Go back every few years to visit. We are due for another Hawaii vacation. Where is your husband from?
He grew up in Kaimuki and went to Kaimuki H.S. He graduated in 1966 and went to college at Boise State. He went back to Oahu and was with HPD until he retired in 1999 and we moved to the mainland. He worked out of the Kailua station mostly except when he was in CID and worked out of the main station in Honolulu. I lived in Honolulu until 1985 when I moved over to Kailua.
I love the photos, especially the red winged black bird on the cattail seeds. It is stunning. 😀
Thank you for telling me the name of the bird. I just called in a black bird with a red stripe. 🙂
Have you heard their beautiful song? You will be enchanted by it. Listen in the early spring, it’s so beautiful.
You have what they call the ‘ eye ‘ for the great photographs , Maralee !
Simple things come alive in your shots !!
Congratulations !
I love the pic of the white daisies with the purple in the background, it’s a gorgeous contrast. Brilliant photography, I really enjoyed this post! 🙂 ♥
Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
All fabulous images. That first one really appeals to me.
Thank you very much.