Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Portland

Oh my goodness! Where to even begin? My birthday trip to Portland, OR was amazing. Usually I don't like to make a big deal about my birthday, but when I enter a new decade, that's kind of a big deal to me. So, hello 50! There's no turning back now! When I was younger I had this idea that I wouldn't live past the age of 36, so to be 50 and feeling pretty good, is a huge accomplishment.

This will be a short post with a few photos to whet your appetite. :) I took 960 pictures, most of them with the new 100-400mm lens, and I was pleased with the quality of most of them. This means hours and days of sorting and processing, but the ones I've processed have needed minimal work, which is very nice.
View from Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Gray skies, but still beautiful
While there I saw lots of brightly colored and creative hairstyles, a girl who exposed her entire derrière as she left a restaurant, had my credit card stolen, trudged until our feet and backs ached, drank coconut chai tea, ate meat pies, explored until we could explore no more, and spent precious time with my only daughter who is the sweetest person you could ever meet! And she is a bird enthusiast and photographer just like her mother! Love that girl so much.
Autumn enjoying the scenery at Tryon Creek State Park 





I would love to post more, but my boss has asked me to edit photos for a landscaping book that he is having printed. Yay! This is my favorite thing to do. Just wish I could work on my own photos. :/

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy 50th!!! It sounds like you had a wonderful trip - one you'll always remember. And your photos - oh my gosh. Now I really, really want one of those lenses! And I want to go to Oregon! Can't wait to see more.

Rosie Grey said...

Happy Birthday, Gail! The trip sounds really fantastic (apart from the credit card incident) and the photos are proof to that! Can't wait to see more of them!

Evelyn S. said...

For a nature lover such as yourself, Portland in the spring is the perfect place to visit! I'm so glad you had a wonderful birthday trip. (Geez...50 is really young to me! I must admit that was the most difficult birthday for me, but 60 was a breeze...and I'm pushing 70 now, thankful for every new year. What else can I do?) I hope you'll post more Portland photos before long.

septembermom said...

Happy Birthday Gail!! I'm so happy that you had an amazing trip to Portland. It's wonderful that you had this special time with your beautiful daughter. And your photography talent blows me away every time :) Gorgeous photos!

Anonymous said...

Happy Happy 50th & here's to many more... I thought the same thing about not living past mid 30 & I'm 41... so! heheheee

The scenery is beautiful, of course, it's Oregon... that's a beautiful state, indeed!

I love photographing pathways (I'm a sucker for barns, springs, old mills, & pathways)... =)

The babies are adorable & the bird & flowers are so pretty... Congrats on the new lens, too! =)

Lisa Gordon said...

Welcome back Gail (missed you here!).
I sounds like you had a wonderful time (with a couple of exceptions!).
These photographs are wonderful, and what a beautiful girl your daughter is!
By the way...I am seriously liking your new lens!!

A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you dear friend!

Charlotte Wilson said...

Gail,
Happy Birthday to you! What a trip you had! And thank you for the visual treat! 960 photos will keep you busy all summer!
It doesn't surprise me that you have a sweet daughter...look at her mother! :o)
That lens is cool!

Unknown said...

Okey nor you are THE woman before you were a girl:)
50 is new 30 or how it went. Wonderful pictures, great colors and cute little birds.

GYPSYWOMAN said...

happy happy birthday, lady!!! and what magnificent images with which you "gift" us here - thank you - they are beautiful! have a fantabulous day!

Anonymous said...

I liked all your pictures and the one of your daughter is special...

I got that new 18-270mm Tamron lens and it has done nothing but rain since so I have only shot a few pictures at the hot rod show. I am anxious for it to warm up and quit raining. It was 43º here today. They say 64º tomorrow.

I remember when I was growing up I thought the magic number was 30. I didn't think I would make it past that age. For some reason I am going to be 77 in October and just take it for granted that I will make it...

Nadine, Chewy and Lilibell said...

Happy Happy Birthday Gail!!! So very glad you had a wonderful trip (despite having your credit card stolen, boo!) and I'm really enjoying all of your beautiful photos!

When I was younger, I always thought people in their 40's and 50's were OLD, but now that I'm here, I've realized that we're not old at all, in fact, we're at a wonderful age!!

Hugs, Nadine

hootnonny said...

So glad you're back! Love the tease - looking forward to more pics! Hitting the new decade doesn't hurt much. Agree with Henrietta - 50 is the new 30, which makes 70 the new 50! (I'll have to remember that!)
Too bad, so sad about your credit card; hope you got a pic of the rear end as it left the room!
Your daughter is lovely; bet she's as lovely on the inside as out!
Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

Happy 50! Sorry to hear about the credit card, but someone exposing her derriere....a post devoted just to that would be interesting!!

your photos are fantastic...blue herons...my favorite bird to shoot!

Pat said...

Happy Birthday! Your trip sounds wonderful and the photos you've posted are gorgeous!

Tricia said...

Happy Birthday!!! It sounds like it was a trip you'll never forget...for both good and bad reasons ;) Your photos look gorgeous.

~tricia

Anonymous said...

happy 50th! those are such precious little duckies! and i cannot wait till july to go on my oregon trip!

Courtney said...

GAIL!!! These are incredible!! Autumn looks fantastic as always. :) I can't wait to see the rest! I have to say, those little ducklings might be my favorite! I didn't realize Autumn was a bird enthusiast! She and Camy need to get together the next time she's in town. Camryn LOVES birds. Mimi even bought her some toy birds in a basket for her birthday last year. When you squeeze them, it plays their mating call. I think there are five or six. It really got her started!

HAPPY 50TH!

Blog Buttons said...

Lovely photos. Oregon is one of my favorite places. Happy 50th welcome to the club. Big Hugs!

Michelle said...

Happy 50th! Looks like you had an amazing trip. Your photos are wonderful...my favorites are the crooked path, the ducklings, and the buds. But..they're all really great!

Reena said...

What a great place to spend your 50th. Love Oregon and rich in photo opportunities!

Just discovered you thru Jillsy Girl and glad I did. Your photos are outstanding!

Starla said...

I have never been to Oregon, but your incredible photos have now made this a MUST on my vacation wish list!

Tina said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time despite the credit card incident and that bit of exposure. It's so great that your daughter shares in your love for birds and photography, what a blessing. She looks like her mom too. Love the shot of the babies, so cute.

dorisrudddesigns said...

Beautiful shots! It's been awhile since I've visited your blog as I see you on flickr and tend to keep up with people there. But, I'll be returning here! Great blog and great photos! Love, love the duckling shot. Beautiful.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Love your photos! Maybe I should look into buying a DSLR.

Dave said...

Congratulations on your daughter buying a house in Gods country. I lived in Southeast Portland for 35 years. I still miss it very much.