“A journey is best measured in friends, not in miles. ” ― Tim Cahill
I moved to my new home in Oregon during the pandemic. Aside from my adult children, I knew not a soul, and opportunities to meet people were severely restricted. I was glad to find a Meetup.com group that did local hikes every Monday morning. I decided to build my new life around that cornerstone, and I have kept that in place for the last four and a half years.
This morning’s outing was to the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, just six miles from my apartment. The boardwalk and trails around the marsh open on April 1st every Spring, after over-wintering flocks have begun to move back North. The water is very high, and will dwindle down to as little as a large puddle by the end of the summer, before Fall rain begins. The skies this morning were especially dramatic, with showers of rain falling periodically. The wind was quite fierce at the top of Pigeon Butte, and turkey vultures were enjoying playing with the updrafts along the cliff. Red-winged blackbirds were defending their territory and their mates in the cattails south of the marsh. Camas flowers were in bloom, their sweet roots beginning to store sugar and starch made with the sun’s energy. Because I brought my big binoculars along, I did not bring my big camera. These shots were made with my cell phone. I’m not entirely happy with the results, but I am glad to have something lightweight when I’m walking.
Thank you to Ann-Christine for inviting me to share my day’s outing. Visit her site HERE to see her delightful post, including heart-warming cat photos!
19 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Seen on my Last Outing”
A perfect opportunity for you to share this beautiful spot Priscilla! No big camera required! And what a wonderful way to meet friends thru a common interest!
Hikes were a real thing for me when we spent our winters in Buckeye, Arizona. Your post reminds me of the many friends we made during those adventures.
scillagrace 
A perfect opportunity for you to share this beautiful spot Priscilla! No big camera required! And what a wonderful way to meet friends thru a common interest!
🙂
What a beautiful hike Priscilla. Thanks for sharing. I’m so glad you found a group of friends to share your Mondays with.
My pleasure!
😍
How wonderful to be that close to that preserve. Great photos, Priscilla.
I am truly grateful for the natural beauty that surrounds me! Thanks, Egidio.
What a beautiful place for an outing with friends!
It truly is – standing under that sky is a much bigger experience than a photo can show!
Great photos. I love the views in Finley Hike 10. 👏
The grass fields and the red barn underneath a spring sky – so bucolic and satisfying! 🙂
That looks like a great time and outing.
It was! Thanks for visiting.
What a great way to get to to know new people doing something in nature together. Lovely place.
Lovely place, and a lovely group of people. 🙂
It’s a great community and lovely walking area, Priscilla.
Yes, it is. 🙂
Hikes were a real thing for me when we spent our winters in Buckeye, Arizona. Your post reminds me of the many friends we made during those adventures.
Glad to bring back good times!