The Chickens Get a New Run: Preparation and Execution

The chicken coop is moved so that the chickens, Wuhen and Corona, can

have access to a new patch of grass. Soon, these chickens will

have free range of a much larger area. It won't be long until the

grass grows back either, as the chickens have left behind an excellent

amount of fertilizer.

Taken May 26, 2020 at 7:21 PM

My family, the Gilberts, live out near the edge of Albany, Oregon. We might not live in the biggest house or have the largest yard, but we love to keep a variety of pets. These pets, however, are not limited to just cats and dogs. You see, my family has a special fondness for keeping hens. We've found that few animals have as much personality as chickens do, and the joy we find in caring for them goes far beyond the reward of fresh eggs. We never raise chickens to eat them, and everything in our power is done to give them long and fulfilling lives.

Wuhen (Pictured) is a type of chicken called a LegBar, as

is Corona. They grow a fashionable tuft of feathers on

their heads, and can lay blue or green eggs. More

importantly to my family, however, is that they are

known for being excellent at socializing with humans.

Wuhen can be seen here entering her new chicken

run to explore and find a snack.

Taken June 2, 2020 at 8:09 AM

My family has been raising a new pair of chickens for the past few months. Inspired by the current pandemic, they have been named Corona and Wuhen. Interestingly, chicken raising seems to have become more popular recently. When first purchasing Corona and Wuhen from Coastal Farm and Ranch in Albany, there was a long line to collect chickens. Once we had them back home, it was time to start planning where they would be living and what needed to be done in preparation.

The chicks started their time at the house in a large plastic tub fitted with a heater and every amenity a small bird could desire. Eventually, the chicks outgrew this home and needed to be moved to a coop outside. Chickens are grazers, and will eat away a patch of grass in no time at all if they are confined to it. Still too small to roam free on their own, we had to confine them to the coop for a large portion of their teenage years. To keep their grass supply fresh, we needed to move the whole coop to a new location regularly.

Preparation for the chicken's new run is put on hold so that they can find a quick snack. An old board is lifted so that Corona and Wuhen can feast on the insects that live below it. This area has just been cleared of heavy brush, revealing the board which had been left there for many years, rotting away. Many more tasty critters wait to be found by the chickens in the freshly cut grass and soft ground.

Taken June 2, 2020 at 7:10 PM

Lisa Gilbert (Left) and Sarah Gilbert (Right) look at harnesses and other accessories while at Coastal Farm and Ranch. "I got really used to them being in the house." Lisa later said in regards to her wish to find ways she could spend more time with Wuhen and Corona, "They're the nicest chickens we've ever had."

Taken June 5, 2020 at 1:01 PM

Robert (Left) Lisa (Center) and Sarah

Gilbert (Right) lift the chickens' coop over 

the fence to the chicken run. A spot must be

found where the ground is level and

racoons can't reach under to grab

at the chickens.

Taken June 5, 2020 at 6:19 PM

It was time to begin preparing the chicken run. There was a lot to do: trimming away excess brush, fixing gaps in fencing, and clearing out their pond. By this point, Wuhen and Corona were large and feisty enough to hold their own against the neighborhood cats who wander into our yard. They were allowed to roam around while the finishing touches were put on their new home.

One of the last big steps of this project was moving the whole coop into the new chicken run. It took the effort of Robert, Lisa, and Sarah Gilbert to lift it up over the fence and into its final resting place. The chickens have loved hunting and exploring in their new home, and the other pets have gotten used to hanging around and watching them. There will be a bit of upkeep involved in maintaining the pen and keeping it clean and fresh, but for now Wuhen and Corona get to settle in and enjoy the warm summer.

The chickens' coop is finally placed in an appropriate position, and it is time for Corona and Wuhen to move in. Unlike when Wuhen and Corona were confined to the coop alone, it will not have to be moved nearly as often. They have free range of a luxurious chicken run, and their grazing will not be concentrated in one location. Perches and hiding places are present throughout the area to ensure that these chickens have plenty to do and explore when people aren't here playing with them or handing out treats.

Taken June 5, 2020 at 6:26 PM

Book Review of "It's What I Do" by Lynsey Addario

Lynsey Addario’s book, It’s What I Do, recounts her life as a photojournalist. Although the book explores well into her childhood, it begins with her career in full swing. Addario is in Libya with some fellow journalists. They are in the middle of a war and doing their best to document everything they can. While driving along outside a town, however, Addario and her companions are kidnapped. There is tension and uncertainty to the situation, but the tale is suddenly ended. This leaves the reader on a cliffhanger, wondering what would happen to these characters. To find out what happens, they’ll have to follow Addario through her life and the realization of her career. Once they finally get back to the events in Libya, the reader will have new insights about the situation and the character, as well as a refined appreciation for the work Addario is there to do.

The kidnapping plotline might be what pulls the reader into the story, as it was for me, but the adventure and intrigue in Addario’s life is not limited to that event alone. Throughout the book, she finds herself in terrifying situations which she often survives just by the skin of her teeth. The work of a war photographer is dangerous, and Addario pursues her career with passion, even if it leads her to some of the most dangerous places on earth.

Of course, not all of Lynsey Addario’s adventures involve mortal danger and life-threatening excursions. She faces the challenge of balancing her career and personal life. Throughout her journeys, Addario struggles with staying in one place, as well as in one relationship. As she herself writes, “... in this profession relationships ended in either infidelity or estrangement.” In-between the battles and disasters that Addario visits, she tries her best to live a normal life with positive relationships. This ends again and again in disaster, as the two lives she lives often prove incompatible. That is until someone enters her life who just might be understanding and faithful enough to make things work, but I’ll leave what happens next for you to find out yourself.

This book has created in me a strong respect for photojournalists, especially those who operate in war zones. They sacrifice so much of their personal lives, and they put themselves in danger at every turn. Lynsey Addario is driven by her desire to document these horrific events and share them with the world in hopes that raising awareness will help such things be avoided in the future. It’s a job that I would certainly not take, nor would I wish any of my loved ones to do so. War photojournalists could be kidnapped, killed in the crossfire, or even just die of meager afflictions due to the low availability of hospitals in many third-world countries. That aside, I’m glad that there are people like Addario who are willing to take those risks and share with the world the truth about what is happening in these areas.

Despite my apprehension to take on a career similar to hers, there are still aspects of Addario’s work that I have been able to incorporate into my own endeavors, specifically for the photojournalism class I am taking in college. Lynsey Addario tries to become familiar with her subjects, and to help her subjects become familiar with her. The goal of a photojournalist isn’t just to sneak up, snap a photo, and run away. If you are willing to engage with the situation, you will likely find yourself with a plethora of new photo opportunities, and the quality and meaning of your work will be increased dramatically.

Her tendency to place herself right into the situations she photographs leads not only to excellent photographs, but also fascinating stories to accompany them. It’s these photos that are my personal favorites, as you can read about the events which led to the photo being taken, which adds a whole new level to the implications of the picture. My personal favorite of these is her image of Gul Agha which she took after gaining access to his mansion. I highly recommend reading about how she was able to accomplish this and what all transpired inside. Both the story and picture appear in Chapter 4.

The picture of Gul Agha is not the only one of Lynsey Addario’s photos that appear in It’s What I Do. In fact, one of the main features of the book are the many pieces of Addario’s work that can be found in each chapter. Many of these photos tie directly into the story, and you can read about the circumstances surrounding the image. Unlike the columns and captions you might find in a finished article, however, the stories take the unique perspective of the journalist. For example, chapter 9 tells of the time Addario traveled with U.S. troops in the East. They grew to know each other, and many friendships were formed. Unfortunately, the troop was ambushed and soldiers were wounded or killed. Pictures in this chapter show the people you have just read about offering and receiving first aid, as well as carrying a lost comrade. Unlike a typical story, these aren’t just characters invented for a book. They are real people, with whom Addario legitimately spoke and interacted. The deaths that are seen affected real people.

Photo by Lynsey Addario | LynseyAddario.com

In conclusion, It’s What I Do by Lynsey Addario contains all of the action, complexity, and intrigue of a fictitious novel. Unlike such a novel, however, the events in this story are real. It’s What I Do gives an incredible insight into the work of a war photojournalist. It also tells the story of the life of Lynsey Addario herself, and the adventures she has experienced throughout her career. I won’t be spoiling the ending, but I will say that the conclusion of this story is both satisfying and rewarding. If you are fascinated by the topic of photojournalism, or simply want to hear a tale of adventure, loss, and love, I highly recommend this book.

W. Eugene Smith

W. Eugene Smith lived from 1918 to 1978 and is probably best known for his photojournalistic coverage of WWII. That aside, Smith was quite a versatile photographer and captured many different subjects across his career. He was known for both his stubbornness and his humanist approach to photojournalism. His images are so prevalent that most people have probably encountered a few, unwittingly or otherwise.

At a young age, W. Eugene Smith was introduced to photography by his mother. By the time he was fifteen, he was having his images published in two local newspapers. Shortly after graduating high school, Smith began working at Newsweek. Unfortunately, his position with them didn't last long. This was because he happened to be quite stubborn in his ways, and would often not cooperate with how Newsweek wished him to carry out his job.

W. Eugene Smith continued to do a great deal of freelance work, including some for the New York Times. He started a position at LIFE, and it was here that he started documenting the war in the Pacific. Smith wanted to document the war in hopes that people would see how ridiculous and terrible he thought it was. He photographed wounded soldiers, bomber planes, Japanese victims, and plenty of other wartime sights. Unfortunately, he was struck by shrapnel from a Japanese mortar shell in April of 1945. Severe damage was caused to his face and hands, and Smith was not able to return to photography for just over a year.

In May of 1946, Smith was determined to take a new picture after his long recovery. He managed to get his camera and photograph his young son and daughter stepping out of the woods behind his own house. It was a photograph that symbolized hope, as well as the end of the long, terrible war. This picture became one of his most famous, and it is rare to read an article about him without hearing mention of it.

Photo by W. Eugene Smith | The International Center of Photography

Eventually Smith became frustrated with LIFE, as they often did not conform to his creative vision when publishing his work. As a result of this, Smith left LIFE and joined up with Magnum, as they advocated for photojournalists' rights and would likely give him the freedom that he desired.

In the time after his work at LIFE, Smith worked on a variety of projects. One of these was an incredibly ambitious project involving Pittsburgh. Smith ended up taking thousands of photos around the area, but he was not ever able to create something that aligned with his vision. The project exhausted him, and it hurt his relationship with Magnum. Eventually, he left them as well.

Smith continued working on a variety of projects, one of which was coverage of a polluted village in Japan. Eventually, he moved to Arizona to teach at their university. In 1978, he died of a stroke. Since then, his work has been shown in countless museums, and he has become known worldwide for his effort in the field of photojournalism.


Sources:

The Photography of W. Eugene Smith. LIFE. Retrieved from https://www.life.com/photographer/w-eugene-smith/

William Eugene Smith. International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved from https://iphf.org/inductees/william-eugene-smith/

W. Eugene Smith. Magnum Photos. Retrieved from https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/w-eugene-smith/

W. Eugene Smith: Photography Made Difficult. American Masters. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-eugene-smith-about-w-eugene-smith/707/

Exploring My Neighborhood

A neglected segment of Columbus St.

May 21, 2020 at 5:35 PM

The neighborhood I live in sits on the Southeastern side of Albany, quite near to the Mennonite Village. One of the main residential roads in this neighborhood is a segment of Columbus St. which has been closed off on either end. In this picture, you can see one of the especially neglected sections of this old road. This segment of Columbus exists due to the main road's rerouting around the neighborhood, which left the old street in awkward pieces.

Linda Aanes with Lucky (Golden Retriever) and Penny (Chihuahua)

May 21, 2020 at 6:32 PM

Due to various neighborhood-wide events and gatherings, most of the people in the area are familiar with each other. The one person who is likely the most well-known, however, is Linda Aanes. Linda walks her dogs, Lucky and Penny, through the neighborhood multiple times every day, and has done so for as long as I can remember. Linda seems to have managed to become friends with nearly everyone in the area, and if you spend enough time outdoors walking around you are likely to be greeted by her and her two furry companions.

A previously abandoned house on 48th St. that is now getting renovations

May 21, 2020 at 5:26 PM

A recent change in the neighborhood has come in the repair of an old house that sits just a block away from my own. This house has sat abandoned for nearly an entire decade after it was foreclosed on by a bank, and up until recently it stood as the stereotypical spooky house, with its progressively deteriorating walls and occasional visits from squatters. In recent months, however, it has begun to get the love and attention it deserves. Renovations are being made and the whole thing is being cleaned up. I'm sure that many people in the area are glad to see it being fixed up, as I know that I certainly am.

Environmental Portrait of Robert Gilbert

Robert can be seen here, Thursday evening, May 14, sitting in one of his favorite spots to write: a comfy outdoor chair on his partially enclosed porch.

Robert Gilbert, my father, has been writing since his teenage years. Currently employed as an accountant, he spends much of his free time drafting and composing books. He just finished publishing his sixth book, The Binding, which he is able to make available through Amazon.com's publishing services. Robert spends years writing each book, and some of them are based on stories he came up with decades before.

Life as Usual

Photo Taken Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 5:08 PM

This spring my family decided to raise another pair of chickens. As it turns out, a lot of people had the same idea. The quarantine has certainly not hindered everyone's desire for feathered friends, and there was quite the line to pick up these two when they were chicks. These chickens are not yet fully grown, and they are active, curious, and very loving. Once they are big enough to hold their own against the neighborhood cats, they will be free to roam our chicken run and enjoy the hot summer weather. From left to right, they are named Corona and Wuhen, inspired by the current pandemic.

Photo Taken Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 4:44 PM

My father, Robert Gilbert, is an accountant at the Mennonite Village in Albany. He has worked there 20 years, and has been deemed an essential worker. He lives close enough to his workplace to be able to walk to work every day, and can be seen here on his way home. Due to his essential worker status, his daily routine hasn't changed as much as some.

Photo Taken Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 7:45 PM

School buildings may be closed, and commencement ceremonies canceled, but that hasn't kept West Albany High School from congratulating its graduates. Their building can be seen here decorated with plenty of commemorative signs. Ceremonies or not, a new wave of high school graduates are going to be taking new steps in life and paving the path for their futures.

A Hobby on Halt

Todd Moore is a Stayton Oregon resident with a passion for disc golf. Todd has shot baskets all over Oregon, from its mountains to its coast. He can be seen here, Wednesday evening April 30th, with his collection of golf discs and his carrying cart. There haven't been many games to play recently, as the baskets of Oregon's disc courses have been closed off right alongside playgrounds and basketball courts. Although he may not be able to play right now, Todd assures us that, as soon as the quarantine is over, he will get right back to hitting courses all across the state.