Layers

Sometimes I'm attracted to the natural layers that the lighting and scenery make.  This was an early morning scene looking west at sunrise a couple of weeks ago.  A few months ago this field had corn growing but we've had so much rain lately the fields are full earlier than usual.

Portland's Living Room

This afternoon I made a sales call at a downtown Portland hotel.  The lobby is on the 8th floor because Macy's takes up the first seven floors.  I caught this view of the center of downtown.  The building in the foreground on the left is Pioneer Courthouse which is a federal courthouse.  Built in 1869 it's the oldest federal building in the Northwest and second oldest west of the Mississippi.

On the right is Pioneer Courthouse Square which is also known as Portland's "living room".  This is where concerts and rallies are held and where the Christmas tree is on display.  And since the Northwest is known for its rainfall, today we even had the usual fair on tap.

Fruit of the Vine

I pass by this vineyard outside of Rickreall, Oregon once a month.  It has many faces depending on the time of year, position of the sun and the weather.  I've not stopped in the past to take photos but decided to yesterday afternoon.

The grapes look immature at this point but that will hopefully change soon. Last month was one of the wettest months of May we've had on record.  The forecast for June looks wet too. Hopefully the vineyards will get some warm dry weather soon.

Smith Lake

Early Friday evening I rode my motorcycle to our place at the coast to do some much needed work. There was a steady rain the whole way through the coast range. By the time I got near the house there was only a slight drizzle which gave a nice serene mood to Smith Lake.

The white plant in the foreground is a weed, which explains why they're growing abundantly beside the road. It's one of the better looking weeds I've seen though.

Rainy Day Succulent

Yesterday it rained most of the day.  Rain has a way of making the colors in the plant-life pop.  While taking some shots of the obvious plants like the rhododendrons I noticed this small ground cover succulent.  It's Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum x Roseum).  The only reason I know that is I looked it up.  It's kind of fascinating the way just the tips are deep red.

Unexpected Downpour

(San Juan, PR)

But then most downpours are unexpected!

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Check out other Monochrome Weekend images.

Windshield Art

Yesterday afternoon I hesitated before getting out of my car in a parking lot during a combination of heavy rain and hail. Then the thought came to me that maybe I could catch an interesting shot of the hail bouncing off of the hood. By the time I got the camera ready the hail stopped but I took a picture anyway. The cold rain-hail combination made an unusual coating on the windshield which gave the lines on the truck and building a twisted look. I think there might be a filter in Photoshop that also does this.

Mud Puddle Reflection

I wonder if carrying a camera makes us more aware of our surroundings.  Some would look at this and only see a mud puddle while others would see the reflection. Puddles can evoke various reactions from people. Kids might ride their bike through it while adults would probably avoid it.  To some they're a natural playground and to others they're a nuisance.  One thing I do know, this time of year I get a little tired of their main ingredient... rain.

Distant Shower

While riding my motorcycle to the jail last evening, I kept an eye on where the scattered showers were developing.  I have a couple of routes I can take in the country that help me avoid getting wet. Sometimes it's a game to try and stay on the outside edge of a passing shower. Looking west to the coastal range I thought this distant shower made a nice backdrop to what I refer to as the Four Trees.

Sunday Morning

 

These four trees are more of my friends on my ride through the country to the jail. They have many faces and this is their early morning fog with drizzle face. There's something about fog. It adds an element of mystery with a touch of quiet loneliness.

Entering Light

 

This is the view from where I park my motorcycle when I work at the jail. I'm always intrigued by how the light enters these concrete frames. I have many images of how this looks with various weather effects in each season. It rained most of the day yesterday so the pavement from cars coming in and out gives some reflection.

 

 

A parking structure can be a welcomed refuge for riders on two wheels.

A Friday Gift

Yesterday it rained most of the day in Portland. In the afternoon I rode my motorcycle to the jail where I do some volunteer work. In the evening on the way home while passing through the Jackson Bottom Wetlands I could see through the trees on my right a nice sunset developing. There are two fields on the other end of the Wetlands that are full of water. I figured the field on the west side might have some good photos to be had. I didn't realize that there would be a duck nicely placed on the lake.

 

In the spitting rain I took 18 photos by the side of the road. These scenes don't happen too often. I consider it a gift from the good Lord.