Our Lovely Neighborhood

I went for a walk this morning in Pine Villa, through Hunter's Glen and Kiwanis Park, then back home. On the way, I saw these beautiful dark purple hydrangea flowers, so stooped to take photos. Two blocks later when I went to check my step progress, I noticed that my Fitbit was not on my wrist.

I walked on home and searched the house, thinking I may have forgotten to put my Fitbit on before my walk. No Fitbit. So I figured I'd have to retrace my steps. But I was already tired from my walk.

I decided to slowly drive my route, watching the road with hopes that I might spy my Fitbit. I was afraid it was a fool's errand because my device has a dark wristband and wouldn't be easily seen from the road. I figured the most likely place for it to fall off was where I'd taken my camera out of my pocket. So I stopped there, got out of the car, and searched.

No Fitbit.

I sadly returned to my car, knowing I was out at least 100 bucks. I started driving again, and on the other side of the driveway from the flowers, there was my Fitbit on the curb! I know someone had to have placed it there because the wristband was closed and the placement appeared deliberate.

I want to thank the kind soul who picked up my Fitbit and placed it on the curb. You're the best. We live in a town where most people are kind to one another. It shows up in these simple ways.

They All Fall Down

The last pretty part of Autumn ...
before everything turns brown and mucky and before the snow comes to cover it up.

In  Polites Park

Layers

While nearing the end of my morning walk, these layers of color and texture opened before me on the Ponderosa Blvd. hill near Polites Park. The sun rested on the autumn leaves as they nestled among the tall pines for which this part of town is named.

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Storm In The East

Willow

She's just starting her Autumn transformation

Sunday Drive

Dale and I went for a ride in the convertible this afternoon, so I had another chance for some passenger seat photography with my phone's camera.

What a lovely fall day on the Rathdrum Prairie! We could see for miles and miles. The intense blue sky was ripe with puffy cloud formations.

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In the mountains to the east, there was a downpour!

Gone Fishin'

I spent some time at Falls Park this week. I did my best to avoid the Pokémon Go players, though a couple of them did run into me. I found some solace sitting under the weeping willow and watching the ducks scrounge for lunch.

The Giving Tree

This tree stump stands at the edge of the Spokane River in Kiwanis Park. It's become a favorite of mine over the years. It maintains a dignity in every season as the years pass, as the river rolls by.

I've photographed this stump from many angles over the years. I love it in the Spring when the water level is low. I climb down the short cliff and photograph the stump from below. I love it in the early Autumn when the park empties because the kids are back in school. I've found balled up socks left to dry on the stump.

I think of "my" stump as The Giving Tree, having given birds a place to nest, having given shade on sunny days, having given its wood after a wind storm, now giving a place to sit and rest.

The four photos below were taken in different years. I like that I now have a photo of my Giving Tree at nearly the same angle in every season.

Here's the original story of The Giving Tree

Along the Trail

at Kiwanis Park

This photo is part of my July 50mm experiment -- learning to use a new camera lens.

50 mm
f/5
1/160 sec
ISO-200

Bobble

I'm not sure what plant this is. I found it while walking a trail in Kiwanis Park.




I love it's shape and texture in this season of its life. It looks like something that a milliner could use to decorate a hat.

A Field of Poppies

About a month ago, I saw two fields of poppies in full bloom. One was just off Seltice, west of Spokane Street.

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This field was on Mullen between Idaho and Hwy 41.

The bright flowers called my name, so I made a special trip on a breezy day to get up close.

So glad I did.

Wildflowers of Primrose Lane

Ah, the lovely lupine!

There is an entire field of this flower blooming by my husband's office on the east side of town. They're gorgeous as they dance in the Spring breeze.

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Perhaps the street should be renamed.

Wild Phlox

Back at Kiwanis Park ...

Reaching for the light

Beautiful color and form

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

At Kiwanis Park, the forest floor is awash in yellow.

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The arrowleaf balsamroot is in full bloom.

They thrive in the shadows of the big pines, becoming more profuse each Spring

and are the big brothers to the native phlox that live beneath.

Low to the Ground

About four inches off the forest floor, this beauty was hiding in the shadows.

At Kiwanis Park

Floating on a Spring Breeze

At Kiwanis Park

On the Forest Floor - Camas

I took a walk through Kiwanis Park last week. The forest floor is coming alive with color.

Delicate camas sway daintily among the tall grasses.

Older blossoms die on the stem. New blooms reach over their heads for what sunlight they can find. Ants scurry among the petals and pollen.

Springtime Swim

The duck pond at Falls Park

Panorama at the Falls

My daughter Jeanne spent the day with me today. It was a glorious Spring day here in north Idaho! After playing in the dirt in our yard (otherwise known as weeding), we took a picnic lunch over to Falls Park.

Lots of folks were out enjoying the sunshine, the ducks, and the geese with the roar of the Falls and the mist on the hill as a backdrop to hiking and playing.

After lunch on the grass, we took the short hike to the boardwalk to stand in awe of our local wonder. Jeanne took this lovely panorama shot: the historic water tower can be seen in the distance on the left; our city park is visible over the top of the dam, the roaring waters beneath, and the rising mist on the right. Be sure to click on this picture to see a larger image.



I love our town and the man-made and natural beauty it has to offer.
Viva la Post Falls!

RiverGrass

I took some time by the river's edge yesterday evening. The water was so still and the reflections intense. The park is starting to go to sleep.