Sunflowers drink in the summer sun. Redmond, Oregon; August, 2009.

A stunt during the Central Oregon Airshow. (click on the thumbnail to see the pilot's profile) Madras, Oregon; August, 2009

Another in my on-going series of lines, light, textures, and patterns. (click the thumbnail to really get sucked in) On the campus of the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; July, 2009.

Still life in the late afternoon. Leavenworth, Washington; August, 2009.

An antique, mint condition B-17 bomber sits under a Central Oregon sky ablaze at sunset. Madras, Oregon; August, 2009.

Do you just want your America back?

Then just click on the headline for this post....

This was an interesting dance to watch: the stilted performer would stand absolutely still, appearing to be some sort of paper-mache growth until the little boy would begin to turn his head, at which point the performer would move. The boy would jerk his head back and stand and watch the performer, who would again stand perfectly still. The boy couldn't decide if there was a real person in there or not. (click on the thumbnail to get a better view of this very creative costume) Oregon Country Fair, near Veneta, Oregon; July, 2009.

It was hot, over 100 degrees F. But it was cool, we were in a town that all the buildings were made to replicate Bavaria, the Alps: Alp-style paint, construction, restaurants, gift shops, hotels, even a Bavarian-style May Pole in the town square, shown here. If you get a chance to make the trip--it's a little out of the way--it's entirely worth it. (Click on the thumbnail for more detail) Leavenworth, Washington; August, 2009.

Bluesman Robben Ford at this year's Waterfront Blues Festival. Portland, Oregon; July, 2009.

Downtown through the trees. (click on thumbnail for more detail) Portland, Oregon; August, 2009.

Is it harvest time yet? Rural jefferson County, Oregon; August, 2009.

A flower, up close and personal. (Click on the thumbnail for more detail) Snoqualmie, Washington; August, 2009.

Each year, tons of sand is imported into Pioneer Square for a competition known as Sand in the City, which is used as a fund raiser for children's groups. This dragon is asleep, so don't awaken it. Portland, Oregon; July, 2009.

This is Country artist Chuck Wicks. I'd never heard of him, but he drew a larger than usual crowd to the county fair. I guess he's got a famous wife who stars on something called Dancing With The Stars. Madras, Oregon; July, 2009.

On a log surrounded by water lilies, a Great Blue Heron soaks in the sun on the canal between Lake Union and Union Bay. Seattle, Washington; July, 2009.

So there I was at this year's Oregon Country Fair, standing around waiting for my partner's granddaughter to get something to eat when I casually turned to my right and saw this person in her saffron wings and full regalia. Obviously, she had no compunction against being photographed. (to better see her face, click on the thumbnail) Near Veneta, Oregon; July, 2009.

A city's icon: The Space Needle at night. (Click on thumbnail for more detail) Seattle, Washington; July, 2009.

Snoqualmie Falls, with Salish Lodge to the left. At 270 feet, the falls are 100 feet higher than Niagra Falls. (Click on the thumbnail for more detail) Snoqualmie, Washington, August, 2009.

The King of Cool: Keb' Mo'. Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland, Oregon; July, 2009.

Color explodes from a string of chilies and other edibles at a stall across the street from Pike Street Market. (Click thumbnail for more detail) Seattle, Washington; July, 2009.

Fireworks on display for Independence Day celebration. Madras, Oregon; July, 2009.