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Rambling around in cold January sun

Rambling around town from my front door on a very cold January day … yet, the skies were mostly clear and sunshine promising. Whether by accident or with full intent, Eugene Parks are pretty easy to link together – and using UO campus as the connector works well. Leaving early before sunrise made it VERY cold for the valley, but what played out across the sky was so worth it.

— clicking on photos opens higher quality resolution version —

Pre-sunrise golden hour from Gillespie Butte

Sunrise from Pres Trail and Alton Baker Park

After crossing UO campus, Hendricks Park trails connect to Ridgeline Trail system. A 15+ mile ramble mostly on bark or bike paths.

New home: move-in ready!

Near the end of Pres Trail after the boat launch, an abandoned Osprey nesting platform is now clean – 3 years without nesters and either the Park or the wind cleaned it off completely.

Trying to stay warm

All the birds were working to stay warm … when I first passed the pond on Pres Trail, the cormorants were not even on the log (they arrived after the sunrise). The geese were huddling where the sun warmed the frost. Even the mallards hunched down to stay warm.

Where these geese were going only they knew – but probably someplace warmer.

Ice art

In mid-day the ice remained in the shadows and these bush leaves kept the ice crystals

Data Geek Cellar

  • Shoes: Saucony Peregrine 13 Trail Runners
  • Pack: none
  • Upper Layers: 3 (base layer, med Patagonia tech, heavy fleece)
  • Upper shell: Heavy rain shell
  • Trekking Poles: No
  • Approximate Times: 06:30 to 12:00
  • Carbon ratio: 0 driving, 5.5 actual – 20.5 hours banked YTD
  • Notes: Urban hike across 3 parks and university campus – took more photos than normal

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