Early Spring Sunset

Stopping somewhere on a road to take in an early Northwest spring sunset.  In the northern hemisphere another winter season has been put to rest again. Spring is the door to warmer weather with all the beautiful colors emerging soon. 

I hope you view it with your kickstand up.

God's speed.

Stopping by the Big Field

This was the sunset this evening as I stopped by the big field near Jackson Bottom Slough.  What a gift it was.  I worked at the county jail this afternoon.  This was a dramatic change in scenery only ten minutes after leaving confinement.

It makes me appreciate freedom.

God's speed.

Sunset Chaser

Just a quick post to share what I was treated to last night as I rode to a weekly meeting.  It was a nice sunset and it lasted a long time.  I was riding west so I was able to enjoy it.

I  stopped and parked on a dead end road in the country which was parallel to the western horizon.  As I was clicking away I heard the faint sound of an engine.  It was a farmer pulling his cultivating discs.  He turned in front of me and gave a silhouette.  Farming has long hours.

Riding at this time of the evening has more risks but it's great when you get a sweet surprise.  You've heard of tornado chasers; I wouldn't mind being a sunset chaser.

God's speed.

Out for a spin this evening

 

I had planned to work the Portland area today but ended up being pinned down at home at the office. About 4:30 I blasted off from the house to blow the cobwebs off and run an errand. At a big intersection near the store I got caught at the red light. As I sat there and then took off with the green light I counted 6 other motorcycles. The paper today said that this has been the third warmest January in 70 years. I think the warmer weather for Portland has translated into more riding days this year.

While at the store I browsed my favorite photography and motorcycle magazines. Rider magazine has an article about the new BMW sport bike, the S1000RR.

  

Whoa, this looks serious. Weighing in at 450 lbs wet with 193 hp, the horsepower to weight ratio is unlike anything else. This would definitely require wrist management.

  

When I got back to the beemer a guy walked over and started asking questions about it. He said he has a BMW 1200GS and another bike. We talked motorcycles for a while. I always find it interesting that a motorcycle or scooter can breakdown barriers making it easy for conversation with strangers. 

 

On the way home I came up our mountain the back way to maybe catch a good sunset. I like how the sunsets are getting later. Spring is just around the corner! I went into a newer neighborhood to find an interesting spot with a little altitude. There wasn't a good sunset tonight but I'm happy that I found what might be a good place to capture them. I didn't have my tripod but there was a light post conveniently located right there for bracing myself.  At first I took shots without the houses below but then decided to include them. I think it sort of adds an element of an urban setting.

Just after I got there a lady came out of her house which is to the right of the photo. We smiled and said hello to each other. I told her it looks like a good spot for sunsets and she nicely agreed as she got in her car and drove off.  But I wonder what she thought. Here's a guy on a motorcycle at the end of a dead end road under a street light with a camera and she's leaving her house with this stranger out front who might be appearing to be a photographer.

Oh well, she'll see me there again no doubt. Anyway I'm just a harmless biker-photo-nut.

A Friday Gift

It rained most of the day today in Portland. This afternoon I rode to the jail. I saw two other motorcycles out and even rode behind one for a while. It was a guy on a sports bike. He was cautiously going about 50 mph in an area of the country where 60 mph is common. Of course it was raining, but I still thought that his speed was on the slow side. On the curves we slowed but on the straights he kept it below 50. If it were a car I would have passed it but I got to thinking, maybe this is a good thing. Maybe I should be riding more cautiously than I have been in the rain. When I ride to the jail I feel confident and know the road so well but maybe I'm taking it for granted. Maybe this was a wake-up call. Or maybe I just got behind a slow guy... but on a sports bike? I think that might be an oxymoron.

On the way back home this evening while passing through the Jackson Bottom Wetlands I could see through the trees on my right a nice sunset developing. There are two fields on the other end of the Wetlands that are full of water. I figured the field on the west side might have some good photos to be had. I didn't realize that there would be a duck nicely placed on the lake.

In the spitting rain I took 18 shots by the side of the road. These scenes don't happen too often. I consider it a gift from the good Lord.