Thursday, January 31, 2013

Monday, January 28, 2013

Deceptive Beauty


Crossing the bar into Tillamook Bay is one of the most treacherous journeys on the Oregon Coast.   Sadly, many people have lost their lives over the years most of whom were going to sea to earn a living.

As I stand here on the jetty with the sun shining on the water, it is easy to diminish the destructive power of the huge, rolling waves.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Seagull Surveillance


Beware! As you enter the United States of America by crossing the bar into Tillamook Bay, there is an line of seagulls along the jetty.  These highly trained birds are suspiciously watching your every move. 

If you happened to throw a fish out of the boat though, they would instantly become your best friends.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Thanks for Keeping House

On this National Day of Service, I want to thank everyone who spent their valuable time today cleaning up our beaches.  It is so important to the wildlife, ocean, and ourselves to take care of our "home."




A special note of thanks to the coastal residents who, not only today, but everyday walk the sand picking up litter and disposing of it properly.  I am reminded of a sign I once saw at an elementary school...

Take care of yourself.
Take care of each other.
Take care of this place.


Thursday, January 17, 2013

Deer Candy


According to this photo, I apparently started gardening very early in life.  Roses were my specialty and I am pretty sure Dad helped out some in the beginning.

Once I arrived at Saltair Station, I was advised by the locals that coastal roses are actually "deer candy."   Deer can strip a whole rose garden in a matter of minutes.

After learning this first hand (not heeding wise advice), my rose beds now contain Crocosmia which are less exciting to deer and a favorite hangout for hummingbirds.  They just don't smell as fragrant as the Mister Lincoln roses I grew up with!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Beginnings

photo of buds on a tree by Nancy Zavada


But we have only begun
To love the Earth.
We have only begun
To imagine the fullness of life.

How could we tire of hope?
--so much is in bud...

We have only begun to know
The power that is in us if we would join
Our solitudes in the communion of struggle.
So much is unfolding that must
Complete its gesture,
So much is in bud.

--Denise Levertov

Friday, January 11, 2013

Easy to Believe

waves at rockaway beach oregon by Nancy Zavada

“It is easy to believe we are each waves 
and forget we are also the ocean.” 

- Jon Muth

Friday, January 4, 2013

I Shall Come Back

photo of Rockaway Beach Oregon by Nancy Zavada

I shall be coming back to you 
From seas, rivers, sunny meadows, glens that hold secrets: 
I shall come back with my hands full 
Of light and flowers…
I shall bring back things I have picked up, 
Traveling this road or the other, 
Things found by the sea or in the pinewood. 
There will be a pine-cone in my pocket, 
Grains of pink sand between my fingers.
I shall tell you of a golden pheasant’s feather. 
Will you know me? 

--Hilda Conkling (age 10), 1922

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

All Things Connect




barnacles on Rockaway Beach Oregon

Humankind has not woven the web of life.  
We are but one thread within it.  
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. 
All things are bound together.  
All things connect. 

 ~Chief Seattle, 1855