©Carleen Cochran pano above
October 28, 2013

I most certainly have "discovered" a wonderful photographer from the Okanagon, Ferry County area in Carleen Cochran. In this day and age where everyone seems to think they are "pros", few are. I don't think Carleen thinks she is a pro, however my decades in news photography tell me that Carleen is one of the best in a large are and we thank her for sharing her eyes with us!

Borders Ranch

 ©BobShannon

Winter Driving Conditions The Washington State Patrol would like to remind motorists to be prepared for winter driving conditions that have already caused problems on area roadways.  Below are a few tips to help drivers get in the winter driving mode. 

o Prepare your vehicle before you leave, make sure you clear off your windows and lights so that they are visible. Also make sure you clear off the hood of your vehicle and roof so the snow does not slide and obstruct your view once you are on the road.

o While the speed limit signs are posted, they are set for dry pavement. During bad weather, people need to slow down and take extra precautions. Pay attention and make sure to leave plenty of room for stopping.

o Don’t use your cruise control in wintry conditions. Even roads that appear clear can have sudden slippery spots and the short touch of your brakes to deactivate the cruise control feature can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

o Don’t get overconfident in your 4x4 vehicle. Remember that your 4x4 vehicle may help you get going quicker than other vehicles but it won’t help you stop any faster. Many 4x4 vehicles are heavier than passenger vehicles and actually may take longer to stop. Don’t get overconfident with your 4x4 vehicle’s traction. Your 4x4 can lose traction as quickly as a two-wheel drive vehicle.

o Make sure that you provide extra time to get to where you are going, especially in cold, snowy, icy conditions.

o Make sure that you are prepared for bad weather. Stock your car with basic winter driving equipment: a scraper and brush, small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain and a bag of sand or cat litter for tire traction. Include road flares, a blanket, heavy boots, warm clothing, and a flashlight with batteries.


o Check out road conditions at WSDOT’s website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by calling the toll free telephone line at 1-800-695-ROAD or 1-206-DOT-HIWY or 511**.
WSDOT provides real-time traffic information and camera images at major mountain passes and locations throughout the state. Click on www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic for real time weather conditions and forecasts.

o Tires with metal studs imbedded may be used beginning November 1, provided they are removed by April 1.

©KathyMeader

"There are two small pigs running around my house. Not sure where they came from. I have no where to keep them or else I would try to coral them. I live off of Hwy 21 north." Only in Ferry County...

Too bad about Lou Reed. Complications of a liver transplant. I am left wondering why he needed it...not that I am judging him, but because I should be on the transplant list as well. Right now I am ok....but sometime in the future, I may need one and GBS or guillain barre would keep me off. GBS involves the immune system going crazy and eating the surroundings of my nerves...which gently said..CREATES LOTS OF PAIN. I survive the pain by taking medications which shorten my life. There is no other alternative. Enjoy this column now and for years...but one day..not being the Creator I do not know when, it will be gone.....as everyone and ever living thing with a carbon base. Anyway...RIP Lou.

These nine American White Pelicans and one Double-crested Cormorant were part of a much larger group of the two species that were resting on some old snags on the south shore of Ressor Lake in the Cypress Hills. -Rick Price ©

I've worked with Rick Price for years in photography. He is number one in my book, but he isn't by any means the only photographer in Alberta. We have another great friend we met through what might be called the largest world-wide group of fine photographers anywhere.....that's ANYWHERE. I could pick up my camera and get on a plane and stay at a home in India, England, Dubai....the list even includes a few long time friends in Iran....folks who spend more time in photographer none is politics. Us photographers are not much into war. Yes there are war photographers but I am not friends of any. They tend to get hurt of killed doing what should be a fun job. Not for me..no thanks.....but Janice took the image below among thousands of others she has taken. She is an amazing lady living in an amazing location. I am so happy to know her work and I've learned much by what she has shown..I hope you also enjoy..-Bob-Editor

 ©Janice Smith

If you've been putting off any leaf raking until now then your procrastination paid off, as Sunday night's windstorm had winds up to 40 mph that brought down tons of leaves that piled up in drifts like snow. Your fall colors were not the only casualties from the storm, however.
Avista reports at the height of the windstorm falling trees and limbs left nearly 11,000 customers without power across the region. As of Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. only 527 customers were without power, with the bulk of them -- 415 -- in the Sandpoint area.

 Jane and Bob did this:-)

It was almost dark, although the picture doesn't look like it....and I was waiting on a friend who didn't show and the wind was blowing through my double set of clothes which Jane helped me jam on. I scrambled looking for my phone but it was in the pocket of the pair of pants under the outside pair. There really wasn't a picture here, but more of a story. We have been showing three Maples, like this one here, in different sets of colors and a bit of video. However...last night a storm came in and blew all sorts of things around...I knew the leaves would be gone. Wind howled as it tried to levitate automobiles...it swirled in a pre-winter dance....and most certainly got the attention of the nerves under my skin which tell me its time to get somewhere warmer.  I had to take a picture that I really didn't want to take, but knew had to be taken......and sometime in a few weeks maybe 2-4 months which go by quickly because of several Holidays...I'm pretty sure we somehow celebrate them all without knowing it...Hail Mary full of Grace.....the trees have lost their clothes.... good bye colors...until we meet my lens to your buds...for this is the intercourse of a photographer.