My new toy!!

[oxysback]

Not sure whether to post this under 'cycling' or 'non-cycling'...

Anyway, I've never really had a decent camera. Ok...never really had any camera except for the disposable ones that never end up getting developed because they lay around the house forever and get lost.

I picked up an Olympus Stylus 720 SW earlier this week and got a chance to take it on my bike ride yesterday. I chose this camera because it's small enough to fit in my jersey pocket, shock-proof up to 5', and waterproof up to 10'. The weather was partly cloudy, but the scenery is still gorgeous! I wanted to share what I see most every day with you guys.

And I must say, for someone that knows nothing about cameras or photography, this camera takes excellent pictures!

So here's my normal bike route...

We start out with a picture of my trusty steed. I love this bike!



This picture is the exact same location as the bike one, just up over the fence.



A fun little downhill, past the stinky dairy...nothin' but road!



I was off the bike to take this picture. These osprey come back every year to nest. There should be some babies popping their heads up out of the nest before the summer is over!



Further down the road we have the Heirloom Rose Gardens. Won't be long before these rose bushes are covered in blooms.



And my very favorite part of the ride...NOT! Actually, this hill doesn't look nearly as big in the picture as it rides on the bike.



Ooops...even random pictures of my arm turn out decent!



This is a hazelnut orchard. One of many in this part of Oregon.



Some hops just starting to grow. These really make me sneeze when harvest time comes around in August.



And those are just a few highlights from my route. Hope you enjoyed them!

[maillotpois]

Wow - those pictures are just beautiful!!

[Trekhawk]

Great pictures!!
What a beautiful route. I want to come ride with you.
Pretty jersey.

[sgtiger]

Awesome pictures! I love that part of Oregon. The small wineries around there are great. When I'm able to ride longer routes, I'd like to do a winery tour of the Willamette Valley.

BTW, I like you jersey.

[mimitabby]

Nice pictures! and i have that same jersey !

enjoy your cool new camera. you might make your pictures a little smaller for on line although i enjoyed the detail thoroughly.

[oxysback]

Nice pictures! and i have that same jersey !

enjoy your cool new camera. you might make your pictures a little smaller for on line although i enjoyed the detail thoroughly.

I was wondering if they'd be huge to anyone else. Actually, I resized them down by 40% to post. Maybe I should go back and just put links? Sorry, Mimi and everyone!

[Trekhawk]

I was wondering if they'd be huge to anyone else. Actually, I resized them down by 40% to post. Maybe I should go back and just put links? Sorry, Mimi and everyone!

Dont worry mate, the pictures were worth the wait.

[7rider]

A hazelnut orchard???? Wow. I've never even thought about where hazelnuts come from (you mean, they don't just magically appear in my yellow bottle of coffee creamer??). How cool is that?!
Great pictures. Aren't osprey so neat? I love them.

[oxysback]

A hazelnut orchard???? Wow. I've never even thought about where hazelnuts come from (you mean, they don't just magically appear in my yellow bottle of coffee creamer??). How cool is that?!
Great pictures. Aren't osprey so neat? I love them.

Yup...I think Newberg is the hazelnut capital or something. The ground underneath the trees is kept very clear, so when the nuts ripen and fall off, they come and scoop them off the ground with a special tractor thing.

The osprey are my favorite thing to look for on my ride. I'm surprised I got both the male and female in the picture. Usually the male makes it known that he doesn't like us that close by flying over us and screeching.

[pooks]

I love seeing your ride!

I've been meaning to do something similar. Maybe you've inspired me!

By the way, did you take those pics while you were moving?!? (Well, not the one of the trusty steed, but, most of the others?)

[oxysback]

I love seeing your ride!

I've been meaning to do something similar. Maybe you've inspired me!

By the way, did you take those pics while you were moving?!? (Well, not the one of the trusty steed, but, most of the others?)

The only ones I took off the bike are the trusty steed one, the starting point one, and the osprey one. The rest were while I was moving....very slowly, mind you, but moving just the same.

Can't wait to see your pics!!

[mimitabby]

oh, no, leave 'em in. just next time make them a little smaller. I didn't have any trouble, just noticed they loaded a little slow.

It's a lot more fun to look at pictures than links~!

[oxysback]

oh, no, leave 'em in. just next time make them a little smaller. I didn't have any trouble, just noticed they loaded a little slow.

It's a lot more fun to look at pictures than links~!

ok...they're back up! LOL!

[pooks]

How long is your ride, oxy?

[oxysback]

How long is your ride, oxy?

The route I did yesterday is 17 miles. You can easily lengthen it to 30, or 45, though.