Category: Rogue River Project

Rogue River Bridge

RRBridge

I’m breaking with tradition this year and not posting the image of the year from 2018 as the first image of the week for 2019. For one thing I am still going through the images from last year and at last count there were about 10,000 before editing out the clunkers. For another, the one I would probably choose appeared here just a month ago. It was so overwhelming I decided not to use it as the sidebar image this year either but chose something simpler. But, perhaps most importantly I wanted to feature a  new project I am starting this year which requires me to visit the Oregon Coast for at least two days every month in 2019. I wanted to start it off right so scheduled a trip from Jan 2-5 with fingers crossed on the weather. I lucked out and had three beautiful days with rain starting just as I was ready to go home. I arrived in Gold Beach a little late due to circumstances beyond my control but had time to hustle on down to the Rogue River Bridge in time for sunset. Not sure why they need those tall metal poles in the river but otherwise not a bad shot. Handheld with then new EOS R mirrorless. Starting to really love that camera.

Day 87 – Acorn Woodpecker

Acorn_Woodpecker

Woodpecker

Rhythmic tympani of woodland symphony,
His search for lunch in Quercus branch
Ads music to a forest glade.
Dawn’s chorus would the poorer be
Without his insistent cacophony

-Colin Tuckett

I hope you won’t mind another bird picture so soon. They do seem to be the most beautiful things out there to photograph these days. And with the leaves gone they are much easier to photograph. Long on my list of places I have never been but should go has been Touvelle State Park, on the Rogue River just north of Medford. With the gorgeous weather holding I decided today that there was no time like the present. Well, if I’d know the place was crawling with Acorn Woodpeckers I would have gone much sooner. I have also long wanted to get a good picture of their little clown faces. This one was so close to me I almost had to zoom out  a little to get him all in the frame. I love how you can see his little toes digging in to hang on to the tree.

 

Ti’lomikh Falls

Tilomikh

I wanted to start the new year off right by kicking off one of my new projects which involves photographing along the Rogue River from its headwaters to its mouth.   I started doing projects over 15 years ago (egad!). I have found that having a project gives me a focus for getting out in the field and shooting.  I began planning this project in New Mexico while dreaming about my return to Oregon. I’ve done a little scouting already and have gathered some maps and divided the river up into manageable segments.

Ti’lomikh falls is on the Shady Cove to Gold Hill segment, just upriver from Gold Hill. I did not know that we had world class whitewater so close to home and I will look forward to returning in hopes of getting a kayaker in the shot. And so it goes with projects. As I learn about my subject I get ideas for new and better images. I also have a good excuse to practice and improve my technique.

Which is a good thing. For example this image is not going to win any prizes but it is the best one I brought home that day. I almost went back the next day to shoot again because I thought about all the things I had done wrong. But I took a deep breath and promised to do better next time.  It is in the learning and remembering  and honing my skills that I can benefit from the project. Look for more from the Rogue River Project in the coming months.

To read more about past projects check out my website.