An Eclipse and A Mystery

 I was taking pictures of the solar eclipse ... I was having trouble with the tiny point-n-shoot camera I was using ... my tired old Canon had died rather spectacularly early in the day. (sniff, snort, bwwwaaaahhhh!!!)

But even though the pictures were coming out blurry, I still kept snapping away, hoping against hope that at least one of them would be okay.

Little did I realize I had caught something else on one of my shots ...

A cigar shaped streak across the frame!

It wasn't something on the lens - all of the pictures before and after were clear!

It wasn't a bird - several of the shots had birds (and you could TELL they were birds!)

So what was it?

I'll let YOU decide for yourself!!!

Flood Flotsom

Driving into town to do an errands, I stop at the park.  As the flood recedes, the playground gingerly reflects in the ruffled, displaced river.

The shadows of the trees trace along the soggy grass, once covered completely by the surging floodwater.

On my way home, I traveled along river road, only to discover it was closed due to flooding.  What a perfect day to take a walk with my camera.  I was transfixed by the lovely reflection I saw in the filbert orchards.

Captured by the rush of water sparkling in the rare afternoon sun...

And was totally taken aback and dumbfounded at this, er, bit of flood flotsam.

YIKES!

An Eye Full

This one's for you, Sissy!!!

My husband and I stopped at a local outlet mall along I-5. We were looking for a particular item to purchase. When I saw this storefront display, I did a double take.

Check out the models themselves--the girl has a guy's head--but not only that, they've both been pantsed. Remember when the kids would pant other kids in high school? Perhaps that is a term no one hears of anymore.

Have a lovely day!

An eye full, to be sure.

Wizard Trains Dragons!

Look closely at this beautiful work of art.
Do you see the dragon?
And the wizard?
And his shadow?

Well ...
The artist responsible for this gorgeous creation -

is a BIRD!
Yes, this incredible 'wizard trains dragons' is actually bird bop on the windshield of my car. Can you believe it?

So ... What Is It? Don't Answer That!

Something about this picture just isn't right ...
What do you suppose these danglies are???

If you said "oh it's a double zucchini" -
YOU'D BE RIGHT!

My Beautiful Sister

Here you see the artist at work--putting into the camera her own amazing and special blend of creative genius. Nature loves My Beautiful Sister and so do I. What a wonderful and amazing person she is!

We have been out of commission for some time--this having to do with our parents' injury and accident in early July. But now we're BACK!

We will announce the winners to our contest (which should have been announced about the time Dad and Mom were in the hospital) in a week or so.

Gremlin!

The view at the river had little appeal.
Too many people.
Too public and noisy.
Too much garbage.
Wrong place, wrong time.

As I headed back to my car,
I spied a gremlin!
Do you remember that movie series?
Loved the blender part ...

Stinker

Well, I was outside, and Snowbunny the Panther Cat was lying in such a funny position I thought I'd capture her in the act....

The little STINKER!!!

Tch tch tch!

~~Beth :oP

One-Eyed Wooden Crate Monster

Isn't he the most amazing crate monster you've ever seen?
Complete with a staple in his head!
Beware the produce!
Unhand the lettuce!
Coming soon to a grocery store near you!

--Clytie

A Heart for my Sissy

Here's a heart for my Sissy--isn't he a cutie? We were staying at the beach for our 26th anniversary, and every morning this plucky fellow would pose in front of the bathroom window, preening himself in the reflection of the window glass.

Can you see the perfect heart he has? I hope you all had a GREAT week!!!

Love ya!

Beth :oP

A Random Patch of Daisies

Before last week's storms I mowed the lawn. I LOVE daisies, and could not bring myself to mow them all down--hence this random patch of daisies in the middle of my lawn.

Heh heh heh...

-Beth

A Troll Tree For Beth!

Trolls live in this little oasis of a park in Oregon City. Nearly every tree has a doorway underground. I almost wish I was small enough to go explore this underground sanctuary in the middle of the city.

Hearts! EEeeeek! Sissy! These are for YOU!

These hearts are especially for my wonderful, marvelous, incredibly talented and humorous sister Clytie, who shares this site with me.

Clytie sees hearts in places no one would think a heart could exist. She finds beauty where it is hard to be found. She's completely gifted and has a heart (pun intended) of gold. I love her VERY much.

So you see, dedicating these two photos to my sister--Heart of Tomato (reminiscent of Sissy's quirky humor), and Flaming Heart (Sissy's ability to see beauty just about anywhere)--is totally appropriate!

.

((hugs)) I love you, Sissy!

EEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkk!!!!

My husband fell and hurt himself, and I had to go into the pharmacy to get some prescriptions. I had some time to burn, so I walked around the store looking at various items. At first I didn't notice her...but as I looked closely at the products I suddenly felt the gaze of someone in, er, pain.

.

I'm sure other shoppers were staring as I whipped out my camera. (grin) This poor model does NOT look happy to be wearing the products advertised...in fact, wouldn't you agree? I think she's suffering.

.

I was giggling to myself the entire time I was in the pharmacy--further enhancing the idea there was a nut loose in the store that afternoon...

Things From Another World

I couldn't help posting this totally random and unexpected sign I found at a store in Milwaukie. I love the shiny UFO!

Clytie

Well! This is a total Surprise!!!

Okay....so I went outside to get some wood, was buzzed by a hummingbird, went to get the hummingbird feeder, when my attention was arrested by a rather...um, odd looking fellow gracing the hanging plant, just outside the office window. Yep, looks like this fierce fellow got his, er, birdie....

Well...one just never knows what one will encounter in this world, does one????

.

Egad.

Beth

The Manly Man Tree

Here is a combination of Clytie's photographic genius and what I saw as an artist. I have included my darling sister's original photograph. It is such fun to collaborate her! And here we can share our efforts with the world.

If you look closely you'll see there's a swamp thing next to the manly man's mossy chin. (grin)

Thank you for visiting!

Beth

Our Very First Award Badge

Here it is! Our very first award badge for Random and Unexpected. We'll soon be coming your way to award your creativity. You know who you are!!!

Beth and Clytie

Sisters on the Prowl

Yesterday Clytie and I went for a long walk, cameras in hand. It is so wonderful that we see same things, yet each of us has our own perspective.

We prowled the ruins of a great mega church, now defunct. The floors of this vast building are covered with refuse and broken glass, the walls punched and broken. Beautiful artwork from street artists occasionally break the monotomy of flagrant abuse.

We found this untouched pane of glass in one room--here we are--Clytie and Beth in Glass.

Beth and Clytie