A suburban stroll in the Pacific North-Wet

Nope, the title is not a typo. Western Washington has the nickname Pacific North-Wet since we get a fair amount of rainfall in fall and winter. Not the kind of deluges you see on the East Coast where the heavens open and everything is soaked through in moments. Just a steady light rain, where you …

Continue reading A suburban stroll in the Pacific North-Wet

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #372: Ephemeral

Well, Tina has chosen the perfect season for this topic, things that don't last! Changing skies and fall colors definitely are ephemeral! In my back yard, I have three Japanese Maple trees. Starting in mid-October, their foliage goes through two transitions, sometimes almost overnight. They start out green, and gradually turn from maroon to bright …

Continue reading Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #372: Ephemeral

A vacation to the Carolinas.

Neither hubby nor I had ever been to the Carolinas, so when we received an invitation to a Hillsdale College Economic Forum in Charlotte, I jumped at the chance to visit. What clinched it was the fact that one of the speakers would be the young database guru who goes by the X handle of …

Continue reading A vacation to the Carolinas.

Scenes from the backyard

We have had a stretch of pleasant weather lately, and I have spent some time in the yard, refilling the bird feeders and standing around watching and listening. Here are some of the highlights. Fluffy, the Japanese Maple tree Downy Woodpecker on suet feeder Also notice the solitary yellow flower. A coworker gave me the …

Continue reading Scenes from the backyard

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #364: Quiet Moments

This has been a God-awful week, and we are definitely in need of quiet moments, which are often found outdoors in nature. This week, I visited a park by the Snohomish River just north of my town. It was a very pleasant afternoon, sunny and warm, and I arrived late in the day. Much to …

Continue reading Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #364: Quiet Moments

The Fair…and some Dismay

So far, this has been an upsetting year all around. So the brief interlude at the Puyallup Fair was a welcome getaway from the the ugliness around us. We went on a weekday (last Friday), so the crowds were light, parking was plentiful, and the exhibits we wanted to see were open. First stop: 4H …

Continue reading The Fair…and some Dismay

Your weekly waterfall

On Labor Day, we drove up to Snoqualmie Falls. Here are some photos from that little excursion. Little side channel at the base of the falls Top of the falls. Power plant on the right. Downstream Beaches at base of falls Evergreen forest Fall colors appearing Bush with flowers and berries That’s all, just photos.

The waning days of Summer

This is the final week of summer vacation for Washington schools. School normally resumes on the Wednesday after Labor Day. I took a stroll by Silver Lake, and here are some observations. On a very warm Tuesday, the lake is usually packed with kids swimming, kayaks and paddle boards with people standing and paddling around …

Continue reading The waning days of Summer

A little something good from Washington State, for a change. Beauty in the Skagit Valley.

Earlier this week, Hubby and I had a little getaway to LaConner, situated on the Swinomish Channel. It’s a long tidal channel northwest of Seattle. On the West side of the Channel is the Swinomish Indian Reservation, and on the West side is the picturesque town of LaConner. We go there often, as it’s only …

Continue reading A little something good from Washington State, for a change. Beauty in the Skagit Valley.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359: Tools of Photo Composition: Line, Color, Pattern

This week's theme really made me happy, since I am always on the lookout for photos incorporating all those elements. In fact, I happened to be getting a pedicure with my best friend at our local nail salon, and right in front of me, there were two great examples! First, there was a three-section screen …

Continue reading Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359: Tools of Photo Composition: Line, Color, Pattern