(+5 insets)

Too Many Pictures, Not Enough Time!
It's a gorgeous, freezing cold Sunday morning here in southern Oregon and I've got another set of pictures to share from our two-week stay at Honeyman State Park! The pictures just go on and on, and to be honest, I cannot bear to visit my folder of unprocessed photos because I know there are dozens that are worthy of sharing...but there's just not enough time! As it is, we're leaving on our next trip in a few weeks and I'll only be able to show pictures from the first part of our trip from 2021! I could get upset, I could skip forward and post a single picture from all the places we went, but in the end I think it doesn't matter, does it? The whole point, for me, is to share some of the lovely and wonderful things I've seen in the hopes to bring a smile to your face, to take you away from your troubles for a moment, to make you think about the subject, to try to dazzle and delight--to make you happy. I don't need to show every picture I captured, I merely need to show what I can with the hopes to get a smile and feeling of enjoyment from you. :) If I can do that, I have succeeded. :) So...here we go!

Today's Picture
Have you ever seen a forest full of native Rhododendrons just beginning to explode into bloom? It's quite the sight, let me tell you! It was our lucky fortune that these shrubs--generally large but sometimes quite massive, rivaling full-sized trees in size--were just starting their show and the fireworks began a few days after we arrived. The outrageous pinks and magentas, combined with sun streaming through the petals to turn the blossoms into glowing beacons, was just breathtaking!

Today's Insets
Inset #1: Look at the crazy bokeh I got that showcases this cone from a Larch tree! (I'm not positive about the ID, please correct me if I'm not right!) Simply stunning...I loves seeing these trees covered with their countless cones, the texture is just grand!

Inset #2: After a rainy night, I went on a wonderful droplet-filled walk and as I was heading to the first trail leading out of the park I saw this gorgeous crow sitting on a dripping power line. They are so beautiful but equally annoying with the ruckus they cause...so much noise!

Inset #3: Can you even believe how cool this plant-stuffed island is? As you can imagine, it was a favorite sight and I walked out to unobstructed views like this one every day. I would stand and stare in wonder, watching geese and ducks swim and fly by, and I'd appreciate the sunlight shining through the trees. It was a rare treat that I was very aware of so I always took many long looks as I hiked along Woahink Lake to the forest loop at the far side of the trail.

Inset #4: This wide conifer-filled pano shows the hill leading up and leading back to the beginning of the forest loop that I was so enamored by. Everywhere along this loop I would stop and stand perfectly still to take it all in. I listened to the birds going about their business and watch squirrels climb trees and leap from one to the next, swinging in the branches. I looked at the light that showed me treasures from this special place. It was an incredible, special area, and I could literally feel the warm and welcoming glow from the forest here.

Inset #5: Last, another sand dunes picture to remind you where we were! Just next to the campground, a dry desert area led for 30 miles up and down the coast, and though the dunes seemed to have nothing in them, were in fact, the breeding ground for endangered birds. So only some areas were open to people and their playthings--dune buggies, atvs and sand skiis!

Thank You So Much
I cannot express strongly enough, my thankfulness for your visits, comments and stars when I've not been able to visit in return. I have actually gone to see my doctor about my anxiety and am trying out Lexepro. You know, I only just started and already I'm feeling a little better! Let's cross our fingers that I'm back to my normal chatty self soon! Please take care of yourselves and have a great Sunday and beginning of your week!

Explored on 1/23/22; highest placement #2.