Category Archives: Nature

An early sign of Spring

img_8024

I can see a small hint of the coming season.

The cold winter can only last so long, and there is still more than a month of that to go. In wait, I will enjoy the naked trees, the grey moody skies, the wetter streets after a quiet rain. I love the new days as the dawn steadily rises a little earlier, and the set is bit more patient.

Meanwhile, I notice to the side as I walk. Some of the buds are peeking out, getting ready. No rush for the year to move forward, but I shall welcome this next Spring.

– Orion T

Fall Colors in the Kubota Garden

img_7860

For those dwelling around in the Pacific Northwest, there is a medium-sized park, open to the public in Seattle, to view the best seasonal colors in nature. You should go there now, while the scenery is very Fall-tastic.

This place is the Kubota Garden, a 20-acre Japanese garden in the Rainier Beach neighborhood. The park is named after Fujitaro Kubota, a Japanese emigrant and horticultural pioneer who blended his Japanese design techniques with North American materials here, starting off in 1927. Fujitaro died in 1973 at age 94, hoping the land would eventually become public. In 1981, the land became a historic landmark.  In 1987, the land became public, and since became an attraction for visitors. In late 2017, it was my turn.

Kubota Garden is beautiful with every step inside. The walkways are crooked and intertwined, leading to little sights worth a long gaze. Such are small ponds, little structures of wood and rock, bridges, waterfalls, with a variety of uncommon trees and shrubbery. All quiet and peaceful, leaving the noise of the world to the distance.

I came here on the advice of a friend, who suggested this as a place to relax, and avoid the troubles of the world for at least an hour. By public transport, this was an easy destination (about an hour if taking the rail from downtown, then a short bus transfer). I arrived, not considering the grandness of the place, or a map.

This brought me much joy in the heart, to explore, and not finding any particular pattern or sense to the pathways of the place. I felt lost and didn’t want to be found for a while. I found many little partially mossed benches, shadowy coverings by spidery trees, and open grassy spots perfect for a picnic. I would stop here and there, sitting down and watching birds and dogs being walked by. And perfect for this day, was the amazing colors of the Fall season, with an awesome variety in every view.

The only regret here is my arrival so very late in the day. The evening was close, and I had to leave for a meeting. I did take some pictures, showing the amazing Fall-ness of it all. Click on each for a full look:

I shall come back here again, for a longer visit and for every season.

-Orion T

Picture of Today 7/10/2017, Bursts of Leaves

img_1861

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” 

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

The picture was taken by me, looking up during the day as the sun briefly came out and they sky turned partial blue, during an otherwise cloudy day.

-Orion T

Picture of Today 6/6/2017, The 22° Halo

20170606_133231

I looked up during my lunch break and noticed a very large surprise in the sky….

A  22° Halo, also known as an ice halo, or solar halo, or just a halo. Whatever you call it, the sight is still special to behold with the slight grayness trapped within, and the rainbow tint on the outer edge. Such was hard to capture with my phone and bright, direct sun.

That is, according to this excerpt from Wikipedia:

“A 22° halo is an optical phenomenon that belongs to the family of ice crystal halos, in the form of a ring with a radius of approximately 22° around the Sun or Moon (in which case it is also called a moon ring or winter halo). It forms as the sun- or moonlight is refracted in millions of hexagonal ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. The halo is large; the radius is roughly the size of an outstretched hand at arm’s length. A 22° halo may be visible on as many as 100 days per year—much more frequently than rainbows.”

This phenom is the second one witnessed in my life which I have blogged about back in 2015. This time, being the first I have seen this directly above and uninterrupted by nearby structures. Such was a glorious, welcome surprise for an otherwise routine day.

– Orion T

A Fallen Bloom

Photo Jun 01, 7 32 32 AM

Above is a time last week, between the sunshine and gloom. The morning brought some Spring rain, gentle and calming for an otherwise busy week.

I passed a tree with fresh pink blooms, a casual wonder to behold. Upon the ground, were freshly fallen blooms still wet from their recent shower….

Photo Jun 01, 7 31 19 AMPhoto Jun 01, 7 30 25 AM

The location is within Freeway Park in downtown Seattle, by the Cultural Landscape Fountain. You may find me there on the weekdays, walking through on the morning or evening. Sometimes there, I sit down on a nearby bench and ruminate.

Orion T

A Day of Scattered Blossoms.

Photo Apr 08, 7 24 05 AM

“The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short.”

– Homaro Cantu, famous American chef and inventor.

Photo Apr 08, 7 27 21 AMPhoto Apr 08, 7 26 52 AMPhoto Apr 08, 7 25 42 AMPhoto Apr 08, 7 25 24 AMPhoto Apr 08, 7 24 32 AMPhoto Apr 08, 7 26 28 AM

Pictures taken at Freeway Park, behind the Convention Center in Downtown Seattle. The scattered blossoms were from the previous days of heavy wind and rainfall.

– Orion T

Pictures and notes by Traveling Orion, (Orion Tippens). For external use for public use, please contact and obtain permission first.

 

Picture of Today 3/20/17, Spring Opening

The first day of Spring, finally.

I look forward to the new blooms, and less cold weather. 

– Orion T

The Long Winter in the Pacific Northwest…

img_6925

img_6940

According to a recent article in the Seattle Times, there were only three full sunny days in Seattle, with mild temperature since October start.

The last of them was a month ago on February 13th, a month ago. The other days have been a mix of gloom and rain. And compared to the prior years, the trees have shown barely any sign of bloom and leafing. I personally miss the cherry blossoms, which would normally bloom in the pics above. But not all is melancholy, for the days here are what you make of them.

There is a feeling of just another natural cycle taking place. Perhaps, the spirit of nature or whatever you believe is in control, making up for the prior warmer years. I feel the need to enjoy whatever is offered. And there is plenty of natural beauty. You just have to look up and around.

But, I really hope the cherry blossoms come around soon.

– Orion T

A Thawed Afternoon in Kobe Terrace Park

photo-feb-06-1-40-45-pm

I now share some pics, a little later in Kobe Terrace Park after a grand snowy morning in Seattle, earlier this week (see last post).

Here, are pics from an afternoon walk, just as the sudden rains began to wash away the snowfall. There was a special beauty to the surroundings, revealing a momentary awesomeness to an otherwise dull afternoon.

photo-feb-06-1-47-16-pm photo-feb-06-1-48-19-pm photo-feb-06-1-39-20-pm photo-feb-06-1-41-15-pm photo-feb-06-1-41-43-pm photo-feb-06-12-13-44-pm

– Orion T

Pictures and notes by Traveling Orion, (Orion Tippens). For external use for public use, please contact and obtain permission first.

A Snowy Morning in Kobe Terrace Park

photo-feb-06-8-20-03-am

Seattle morning just last Monday, I awoke to witness the beautiful snow blanketing the city. I walked towards work, with a detour to one particular small park upon a hill, where the overnight snowfall revealed a new world.

That park is Kobe Terrace (in Seattle’s International District), a small enclosed area with a community garden upon a hill, all overlooking to the southwest distance of Seattle. Anytime is a good time to visit throughout the year. Though some particular times are better than others.

This time was short and quite wonderful, being a winter wonderland surrounded by cherry trees, small garden pots, and Japanese style deco wooden structures. Even with the noisy freeway nearby, one can feel the serenity brought in by the fresh overnight snow (about one inch, I was told). I could easily imagine traveling through the country town of Hokkaido, Japan; for at least the 30 minutes to myself, before arriving at nearby work thereafter.

Snow in this area is rare, as the Seattle central area is low and distant from the mountain regions. Such occurs once or twice a year, if lucky. For this time, the snow continued to fall until the noontime. Shortly after, the rain washed much of away, leaving a different beautiful setting (of which I will share in my next post).

These pictures below and the memory with them, are very worthwhile to share for this wonderful little moment away…

photo-feb-06-8-21-53-am photo-feb-06-8-25-45-am photo-feb-06-8-28-52-am photo-feb-06-8-28-04-am photo-feb-06-8-20-23-am photo-feb-06-8-30-41-am photo-feb-06-8-22-53-am photo-feb-06-8-23-17-am photo-feb-06-8-14-19-am

– Orion T

Pictures and notes by Traveling Orion, (Orion Tippens). For external use for public use, please contact and obtain permission first.

The Icy Cold Elsewhere..

photo-jan-01-1-39-58-pm

Pictures shared today are recent and far, though I wish they could be now and near. I read much of the heavy snow in Portland to the south and the mountain snowfall activity far to the east and west. Currently, in Seattle there is just the cold air and whelming noise throughout. Snow here remains improbable in the near future, for now.

But on the recent New Year weekend in Vancouver (Canada), there was some decent snow around. And through a walk in Stanley Park (from the last posting), I cut through a little area around Beaver Lake, a quiet body of water frozen. All was still, except for a small little water area open for the local ducks. The surroundings felt calm on all the senses, canceling out the noise of the nearby central metropolis.

So in light of the recent stresses of the world and current news on modern civilization, I share the recent pics of the frozen area below; especially for those others not quite in presence of the peaceful falling snows.

photo-jan-01-1-35-30-pm photo-jan-01-1-38-56-pm photo-jan-01-1-39-58-pm photo-jan-01-1-47-02-pm photo-jan-01-1-54-15-pm photo-jan-01-1-54-36-pm

– Orion T

Pictures and notes by Traveling Orion, (Orion Tippens). For external use for public use, please contact and obtain permission first.

Picture of Today 9/18/2016, The Tired Flower…

photo-sep-18-1-54-01-pm-1

Summer for 2016 will be at its end soon, with a little of the season to show…

Yet, that flower is much like me, a little tired and in need of great rest. While much of it has been productive providing a place for bees or whatever to deal with, there has been much endured over the unusual yet varied temperatures of the summer, ranging from sudden rainstorms to the oncoming wind. There was the sunshine, but not as much as one could hope for. The garden around was a bit crowded, as the flower constantly had much to do. The Fall is coming, and then adaptation will be needed, from the roots to the very top of its next born stem. Perhaps, next year will be a livelier summer.

Meanwhile, here are some friends made. There is a little summer left in them too..

photo-sep-18-1-53-04-pm

photo-sep-18-1-52-32-pm

– Orion T

Picture of Today 7/26/16, Sunset at Sunset Beach..


A nice sunset at Sunset Beach in Southern California. The day was much warm, and the winds were light for the evening. All came together nice for this time with friends. One among them took his phone out before the sunset to capture a Pokemon in the Pokemon Go game. It was a Psyduck. 

– Orion T

Picture of Today 7/19/16, Over the Mountian to The Moon…

On a plane trip earlier today, to San Diego..

Almost fell asleep..then the corner of my eye caught the striking majesty of Mt. Rainer from above. Oh, such a sight to behold! Took the pic and went back to sleep. The ride felt peaceful as I eventually woke up to the Full Moon above San Diego.

How fantastic, I thought. To think, a new adventure ahead and such sights are just the beginning..

– Orion T

And here’s another pic after my descent. What a Moon!

Picture of Today 7/13/16, Little Strange World..

A snippet of the little world around us, with much of that similar to ours. We see interesting things under construction. The workers around them play a small part, as they provide for their community, families and themselves…so I would think through observance. Soon growth will develop, and such will be noticed by the world around them in admiration. The workers I suppose will benefit, but for how long? I think as the process repeats, they and new generations could be there to partake in and around new constructions. That could be enough to live by. Such, is another cycle of life. 

– Orion T

I captured this pic at a small garden in front of the Seattle Space Needle landmark. It’s wonderful to see a small sight under a big sight, to be just as grand.

Picture of Today 6/9/16, Today is still Spring..

image

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!'”  – Robin Williams

Though I look forward to Summer as the extension of Spring, so it’s an extra long party. Fall will be the hangover.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 5/11/16, a Garden Ear..

The Earth is always listening..

Never forget that.
– Orion T

Picture of Today 4/6/16, Squirrel!

Photo Mar 25, 1 39 31 PM

A little friend in the park, who knows things and sees things.

We shared much in common, very busy with much to hide. We know many ways to the same destination but prefer the long way around very often. We enjoy big bags of trail mix, and take time to enjoy the calling sunlight. We pretend to be simple, though it can be easier said than done.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 3/25/16, Big Squirrel on Campus

 

Today, at the University of Washington in Seattle, I took time out to admire the cherry blossom trees within.

And so did many others, including Sam Squirrel. Before the bushy-tailed agent of N.U.T.S scurried about on some mysterious mission, there was time to ponder the changing of Spring since the days of barely a week ago. There seemed more rain than last year, and the air a bit colder. The blossoms seemed somewhat thinner, and the trunks with more moss. What could it all mean? Perhaps nothing, Sam ruminated. The sight of it all must simply be enjoyed for as long as the peace shall last. 

– Orion T

Picture of Today 3/9/16, Between the Rains..

My favorite little tree has plenty silkish white blossoms under the gray sky today. It was quite wet from the torrenting showers throughout the day.

You’ll find this tree in the Jim Ellis Freeway Park in Downtown Seattle, next to a underpass walkway under a small road bridge that cuts through the small area. I am uncertain of it’s kind. It is wonderful enough to behold enough without further clarification, especially more between the rain.

Also, Spring is coming. I have a feeling it’s going to be a wet one. Keep your umbrellas near..

– Orion T

Picture of Today 3/2/2016, Afternoon Delight

Photo Mar 02, 4 08 39 PM (1)

This American Robin is a simple city bird within the noisy and complex Downtown od Seattle. Yet, it makes the most of the local city park behind the Washington State Convention Center, taking time to enjoy the small pockets of nature between the concrete floors in the shadows of the surrounding towers. For the afternoon, it goes the healthy route and eats small berries, one at a time. Soon it will flutter away, perhaps to its nest to relax and read something.

I try and do the same.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 2/7/16, the Winter Wonder of Mt. Rainer..

 

Along the 90 freeway to Bellevue over Lake Washington, earlier today…

In the distance, I see Mount Rainier with more snow upon than last year. It’s a beautiful sight, as its surroundings from the passenge seat I sit to the peaks yonder, astound and delight. I love especially how the top seems hidden, leaving little mystery to those who dare imagine the nesting dragons above.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 10/22/15, The Good Things..

Over Lake Washington from Bellevue to Seattle on the 520 bridge, around 5:30.

Meanwhile in California, the Seahawks would beat the 49ers (20-3) in football.

Beautiful, the sunset is. 

– Orion T

Picture of Today 9/12/15, Through the Early Morning..

 

Further north as the morning rises..

I am on a bus heading north,

Somewhere between Seattle and Bellingham..

– Orion T

Carkeek Park Adventures, Part 2

IMG_1998
Now turning the wayback machine to the last weekend, and continuation from my Part 1 adventures posted days ago..

So here I was at the beach of Carkeek Park, after an hourly hike (prolonged because I kept stopping to look for birds to photograph). I was hoping for a beach less crowded than the Golden Gardens of nearby Ballard, where I can catch up on some reading in a peaceful non-interrupted setting. This beach had less people, but also less land.

Then, those hazy skies intensified from the distant brush fires. But, the air had a weird, good feel to it. I would imagine for a moment, this was like some alien planet from Star Trek or something. Not sure what the feeling was, but I enjoyed the somewhat surreal atmosphere.

Also, my camera had plenty of battery life left. So, I snapped some pics at times. Here are the best of them..

….

Before the beach, i came across this artsy piano crosswalk. There seemed to be no specific purpose to this, being that playful hopping on this would put one in danger from the sharp turn around the corner from coming vehicles.. But, I like it..

IMG_1995

Also before the beach, a massive railroad. A freight train would come through every now and then. Just wait..

IMG_2010

The bridge over the railroad. I was hoping to capture a shot of this with less people on it.

IMG_2012

The southern part of the beach, with many rocks during the low tide. The birds gather, left alone by the humans…

IMG_1999

A passing boat under the hazy sky. The sun coming through gave the water an eerie effect at times..

IMG_2006

I hit up a thrift store on my way here, and brought an early last century music dictionary there. Interesting read, as I love to learn obscure stuff..

IMG_2003

I also got this book of science fiction short stories from an author I never heard of. I love the cover. Some of the stories inside were quite good..

IMG_2004

Someone doing a bit of fishing out there, I think.

IMG_2007

And hey there, here comes the train!

IMG_2013
That’s all for now. I enjoyed this small little adventure in two parts. I hope you did too.

– Orion T

Pictures of Today 8/23/15, Setting Sun over the Hazy Sky..

A beautiful sunset today. 

But not from the best of reasons. Throughout he Pacific Northwest, brushfire are scattered about, destroying homes and pushing firefighters to their limits. I have heard three firefighters have lost their lives. Many are volunteering to control the spread. 

But where this is no fire, there is still notice. The skies have been smoky and hazy over Seattle throughout this weekend. The result is a surreal filter to the city, leading to some eerie skies and added density to the warm climate. We can hide, or watch…then hope and pray for the end of the afar fires, and for the safety of those involved. 

   

– Orion T
  

Carkeek Park Adventures, Part 1

IMG_1976

A weekend adventure outside the concrete jungle life..

This time at Carkeek Park, a small 220 acre woodland to the north of the Ballard district of Seattle. The area has much greatness hidden through its joggable trails; wetlands, orchards, grass picnic areas, and a beach with so much more. But for me it had a lot of peace and quiet, which I needed for much of this weekend.

I also took pictures (below)

I stayed on mostly two trails, The Piper Trail to my destination, and the South Ridge on my return trip. Most of these trails are easy and friendly for the casual hiker or jogger. The signs aren’t always at all the fork splits, so it might be good to have a printed map. This is not so much for getting lost, but to make sure you reach the right destination point, or to leave where you walked in (I took the bus here).

IMG_1976

Soon on the Piper Trail, the Piper Orchard. A series of fruit and nut trees planted over 100 years ago by the Piper Family. There are bags tied around the fruits, with signs kindly asking people not to take.

IMG_1977

Lots of moss here in the late summer. I love seeing moss on trees.

IMG_1979

A creek where salmon are known to travel, in the past at least. The running water keeps me calm.

IMG_1981

My favorite thing about woodland hikes, the odd tree formations and collapses. One could just let their imaginations run wild with this.

IMG_1982

I also love to see some crazy root action when on the upper trails. This was on the South Ridge trail after an upward crawl.

IMG_1983

Half a tree..

IMG_1986

I wanted to capture some pics of birds here. I can hear them all about up high. But here I think, the birds are shy and keep their distance from the constant humans passing through. I can hear many, see nothing. But, I enjoyed what I had anyway..

IMG_1988

A variety of life, and some death.

IMG_1989

Still no birds, and not much in sects either. But I had plenty for the imagination..

IMG_1990

Not a medium park trail unless someone leaves a visible message somewhere..

IMG_1992

The end, or beginning of things. This was my destination and rest area, the beach area of Carkeek Park. I am immediately reminded from the sky of the wildfires throughout the Pacific Northwest, causing this hazy sky. More on that, as I will post pics and notes of that in Part 2, coming soon.

IMG_2010

  – Orion T

Big Bird in a Big City – last weekend in San Diego, California

  

I was in San Diego, with feathered company.

And I was constant with busy activity, with a huge comic convention and other business going on. I stayed on a boat during that last weekend with new friends for some days. I wrote and photographed quite a bit of that trip for another web site (strangerworlds.com), and will feature some of that work with personal commentary on that, in my next posting here.

For now, enjoy with mild amusement these pictures, of what I believe is a blue heron..

  
   

– Orion T

Pictures of Today 6/19/15, Little Park Friends

I love birds, as I am considering a new hobby in ornithology.

This moment is my third time seeing the white-capped sparrow on the same tree in Denny Park, in Seattle. You may see them upon the center trees there, singing often, then fluttering away quickly when noticed. This time I sneaked a pic with some evening sunlight, for awesome effect.

Also in the same park, but during the morning on the way to work.. I noticed my ol friend, Sam Squirrel; hidden beneath, probably on some important mission. Good Luck Sam!!

 

– Orion T