Sunrise on the Platte

Sandhill cranes departing their overnight roost on sandbars in the Platte River, near Grand Island, Nebraska. They will spend their entire day feeding on stubble in nearby farmland fields before returning to the river at sunset.

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Vibrant Vermilion

The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) stands out vividly in winter white.

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Clearing Sky

From morning fog and rain to afternoon patches of blue, the sun finally prevailed on this September day in Ilwaco, Washington. This small fishing village sits on the northern edge of where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. Astoria, Oregon lies on the southern side. Although there was not a northwest passage to be found, this was the  land where Lewis and Clark finally achieved their quest to reach the Pacific.

Summer Travels 

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Flight

Cold, cloudy skies along the Missouri river valley are beginning to show migrating birds on the move. We are still in the grip of winter, but the migrants are restless. Flocks of snow geese shown here are a harbinger of the millions of waterfowl to follow in the coming spring. Soon some half million sandhill cranes will collect along the Platte River wetlands and cornfields in south central Nebraska for weeks of rest and feeding before their final push to nesting grounds in Canada and Alaska.

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Hurry Home

Evening showers in the city.

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Reflections

Autumn retreat to the Gulf Coast

Travels 2012

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Chalk Talk

The daily chalkboard outside, La Buvette in the downtown Old Market district. 

Omaha is fortunate to have this wonderful little bistro for whiling away an afternoon or evening over good cuisine and fine wine. Outdoor seating also provides a great spot for enjoying people watching on the busy market sidewalks.

Many different takes on the numbers theme by CDP bloggers around the world can be found here.

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The Big Heat

Like so much of the country, the summer heat this year in the heartland is unrelenting. This sunset shot was taken from the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge at near 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Rainy Day Reflection

Garden Fountain

Japan House

University of Illinois 

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Versatility

Doing the Farmers Market with style.

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Oysters on the Olympic Peninsula

Just returned from the Washington coast and already missing the daily access to a bounty of fresh seafood there. One of the great places to visit on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state is Lake Quinault Lodge. We stopped there recently for lunch and a little reflection time while driving the US HWY 101 loop around the Olympic Nat'l Park. Small, exquisite Hood Canal oysters with sweet potato fries fit the bill for me that day while enjoying the view across Lake Quinault. President Theodore Roosevelt had lunch there himself back in the day and shortly after signed the Olympic National Park into existence.

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