Category Archives: Photography

Carkeek Park Adventures, Part 2

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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..

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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..

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

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

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

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

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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..

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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..

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

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And hey there, here comes the train!

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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

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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).

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

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Half a tree..

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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..

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A variety of life, and some death.

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

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

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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.

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  – Orion T

Picture of Today 8/14/15, Leave your worries behind..

  

Because it’s Friday for many.

It’s still raining, 

but at least you can dance in it now.

As for those working on the weekend, 

your Friday should happen soon.

Look forward..
– Orion T

Picture of Today 7/30/15, the Summer Blue Moon

 

The Almost Full Blue Moon (edit – just learned it’s not quite yet, but at 3:42 in the morning), now here in Seattle while the sun sets.

The evening is cooling from the hot summer day, with the temperature at 81 Fahrenheit now.

Here is a closer look..

The rise was east of Seattle’s Downtown, as seen from Kerry Park. 

The sunset was at about the same time. The city noticed…

 

– Orion T

Recent memories and fun at the 2015 Torchlight Parade, Seattle…

 

Not sure what there is about a parade, drawing me close…

Yet, the knowledge of one coming,motivates me to forget the world and join as a spectator. I’m usually alone, as I can’t imagine anyone I know as excited as me. I like to watch, applaud, and occasionally cheer at the odd display of colorful people and their strange contraptions and organized entertainment. If there is some theme, than I have a bonus to my enjoyment. 

So last Saturday, there was this 2015 Torchlight Parade in Seattle, mainly sponsored by Alaska Airlines. Without looking this up, I think the theme was lights and diversity as there was much of that through the late evening, early nightfall. We got a huge range of ethnic and cultural diversity crossed with local businesses and small town promotions. It was all local fun, with little on anything specific to recent happenings (unlike other parades). Also, lots of beauty queens on flowery floats and big bands in between. Overall, some good old-fashioned fun to a parade that just is..

Here are some parade pics that may amuse you, and hopefully remind you of the joys of a good ol parade..

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O look, it’s the Alaska Airlines mascot!    

 

Pickle Pride!

 

Big orca love, full of inflated happiness!

 

One of my favorite floats, as I also love peaches..  I would love to attend a Peach Fesitval someday..

 

One of many who chose to ride in classic style through the parade, on horseback. 

 

One of the more perplexing displays of the parade. That can’t be real, yet the sign says..leading some in the crowd to run and touch the potato thing…

 

One of many marchers representing the U.S. Military and armed forces, with spendid musical performances!

 

And some extra patriotism…

One of many floats with gorgeous ladies wearing sashes and tiaras. 

It’s Blitz the Seahawks mascot…getting us psyched for another coming season of NFL football. 

 

Dancing and music, south of the border style! 

 

Fantastic lights brings a magical feeling here..

 

A more colorful chariot for this parade

 

One of the more stranger floats, with a message about garbage and our drainage systems.. 

 
Some headspinning visual feats..

 

And pirates, aRRRRR! 

 

And this big obnoxious truck! 

 

That is all I share from thIs parade. I sadly missed out on some clowns, as I had to exit for some time to make some calls. The pics were a small portion of the whole show, as I am limited on upload capacity and time for this article. But overall, I hope you enjoy the visual sampling of parade moments , as I enjoy sharing them.

– 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 Tonight 6/30/15, Jupiter and Venus dance together

  

Jupiter and Venus shine together!

Jupiter is higher, Venus is brighter. Both were much closer earlier to each other overlapping, which I missed. Now they part further, and soon behind the hills..

I’m glad I saw this, and got them over Elliot Bay. I also tried with my 300mm zoom lens..

  
– Orion T

Pictures of Today 6/28/15, Pride of Seattle…

Today, was a beautiful day..  

Because, any day with a parade is just that. But more so to this, the 2015 Seattle Pride Parade, part of the annual celebration of LGBT pride festivities here, and in other cities. And to enjoy, one doesn’t necessarily be a direct part of that community..but celebrate their inclusion and contributions into modern society and see forth important issues that relate. Much is done in good, fun entertainment; as represented by many groups, businesses, institutions, public services, churches, non-profits, and corporations, clubs and more. 

For the parade there displayed some extra cheer, in light of the recent US Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage across the nation. For local Seattle, this was also a further celebration of its own empowered gay communities, as such is well known throughout. For me, it was just good fun enjoying the colorful displays with fun people sharing what makes their happiness and strengtens the love in their lives.

Here are some pictures. I took..

                                          

– Orion T

2015 Solstice Parade fun in Fremont

Happy Solstice!

Spring ends, with the summer now fresh. For Seattle area folk, many flock north to the Fremont district. Here was the street fair, a musical HonkFest festival, the naked bike ride, and this awesome parade. The Solstice Parade is all volunteer powered, with no assistance by corporate entities. The passing display exhibitions of large are all human powered with no fuel or electricity used in the propelling forward. Environmentalism and social issues remain constant themes for multiple parade groups. In addition, it’s also good fun with music and dancing. Donations are collected at the end, to help ensure this annual tradition continues.

Here below, are some pics for you…

                            

  – 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

Recent Adventures on Whidbey Island, Coupeville Wharf

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Coupeville is a nice small town, to the north on Whidbey Island (Washington State). It’s got a small wharf, where local people smile a lot and appreciate their pleasant surroundings.

I was here for about half an hour, on a break in a long quest to find a blue heron rookery for a friend (long story). I wandered for a short bit, taking in the serene surroundings.

Here are some pics of that time…

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I hope to come back someday, and stay longer.

– Orion T  

Picture of Today 6/13/15, Descending Sparrow

 

I believe this is a White-Crowned Sparrow. I observed it chirping high on a small tree in a local Seattle park. 

No filter, no edit spur of the moment shot by me. I really like this particular still. 
– Orion T

Picture of Today 6/12/15, the Consealed Seal

 
A small seal I saw, off the shores of the Seattle city. 

I knew those slippery mammals were out there in the Eliot Bay waters, but rarely ever see one. This sighting was near the rocks at Myrtle Edwards park.

And, I think it saw me. It quickly ducked below the water after this quick pic. The Seattle seals seem to be a shy sort, or perhaps they also have that Seattle Freeze attitude..

When Seagulls Attack..

Seagulls can be intense..

Especially towards each other, like in the following situation. What appeared to be one gull capturing a small bit of grass or something in its beak led to some escalation. Another gull apparently tried to take that away, as other birds cheered (or acted as referees). It was hard to tell what was really going on, as I am not much of an ornithologist. Still, interesting to observe…

         

– Orion T

Pictures of Today 6/6/15, Midnight Moon

 

 Shortly after Midnight, last night..

The Moon began as larger and yellowish on the horizon, from around yesterday at 11:40pm, huge but not quite full (waning). I just boarded the Washington State Ferry on Bainbridge Island, alone and bound for my trip back home in Seattle. The night air was warm, but staining wind from the slow trip out (from the moving boat or the night air, I could not tell).

So eventually after some texting, I reached for my camera and lens. I grumbled at the the sudden forgetting of my 300mm capable zoom lens during the start of my trip. Oh well, I have my small 50mm to work with, and a very rocky boat with winds outside. The trick to all this, is to simply enjoy the view and recognize the outside atmosphere as quiet and beautiful, for my next stop will be the Downtwon area..where construction noise and the occasionally smell of piss around the dock area will eventually disturb my senses. 

The trip was about 40 minutes, and here are some pictures I took for you..

 
         

– Orion T

The Full Bloom Selfie 

Just a shot with my favorite little lens, the EF 50 mm for my Canon Rebel. I love it for the focus on the small details, and a challenge to use. The Seattle Space Needle was kind of unintentional in an earlier try, but looked again and thought…okay. I will get the structure in, but this beautiful flower is still the star of the show.  

Picture of Yesterday 5/31/15, Needle the Moon

   

I love a good Moon on a partly cloudy night, especially when it passes above some unusual architecture. 

I took this spontaneous shot through the very top of the Space Needle last night.  Good thing, I had my camera and zoom lens on me.

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Vashon Island Adventure, on Fisher Pond Trail 

Vashon Island is a magnificent escape for anyone wanting a good step outside from that busy work week.

You can visit the island, southwest of Seattle. The trip is easy and cheap by ferryboat from the nearby lands. For nature lovers, this is a paradise of many options and places to go. Not all could be covered in a short visit here. I chose the Fisher Pond, a mile west of the small town of Vashon within the center of the island. I spent much time in town (which will be covered in another post), and had only a few hours until the last bus to the duck would go back.So with local advice, I went there for a few hours.

So, here are some pictures taken, mostly from the Fisher Pond Trail surrounding the pond…

 

On the way to to the pond trail on Bank Road. The walk was about two miles, very peaceful with views like this between the houses..

 

The trail itself, pretty short compared to the time it took to get here. Most do the time spent here was in being still taking pictures and reading short stories. 

 

Just a cool shot of some leaves. I trying for a small bird just beyond the leaves, but was a little late.

There were many of dragonflies fluttering about. This I think (based on a Google search) is a blue damselfly.

One of may birds you can hear chirping about on the trail. I wish I was good at taking pictures of birds, as they are hard to locate. Also, I also wish I could identify them better. Maybe on my next library visit, I will look more into this..

Another small red bird, enjoying a little sunshine..

Another bue damselfly, I believe

 

Fisher Pond itself, covered with leaves and pollen…I think.

A little caterpillar, crawling around.  I took this picture with my iPad mini, after failing to get these awesome details with my Canon Rebel T3i. I stayed next to me for quite some time on a bench overlooking the pond. I felt a had a little friend for that time..

Another blue damselfly, I believe. These things fluttered in small groups by the pond.

 

An odd arrangement, one of many noticeable’ along side the outer area of the trail. Some were much longer, some bent. This one was shorter, but sweet in its presentation. I was unsure if these are natural in design, or some man-made manipulation. But either way, I think is pretty cool.

An old chair in the distance, by Bank Road. I wonder when the last time someone sat upon that chair. Now, I think it’s work is done and has been left here to retire..

Another countryside view, on my way back to the small town of Vashon.

– Orion T

Pictures of Today 5/28/15, Secret Life of a Squirrel

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For the moment, Sam Squirrel was carefree, and cracking yet another shell. Inside, another nut to enjoy.

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Sam would take time, processing the meaning of life in every bite. This was a good reward for all the leaping and dashing Sam was born to do.

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But wait..Squirrel Sense is tingling!!

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Time for this Secret Agent Ninja Squirrel to take cover.. Danger is sensed, or another nut…both are equally exciting and impossible to tell apart.

– Orion T

Weekend Pic Fun at the NW Folklife Festival 2015

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Good times!!

The 2015 Pacific Northwest Folklife Festival brought much joy to the many festive folk attending in Seattle, this Memorial Day weekend. Much of this was in thanks to the monetary support from the visitors, business donors and merchants. Further support was also in part to volunteers, who also made this wonderful event possible. For me, it was just relaxing and sampling of new and exotic musical and dance talents (while tipping many in appreciation). There was something for everyone here, I felt. And for that, I had to see what everyone had.

I took some pictures with notes, featured below..

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Near the International Fountain, there was a drum (mostly) circle. Beats combined created a nice fusion, mostly of a constant tribal pattern calling many to the center to shake and dance wildly.

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Many got their motions on, some with fantastic visual attire and style.

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There were some big stages, where some larger acts took place. I was drawn to the jazzy stuff. This is M9, a Romani-style brass band, from the local area. I enjoyed their music.

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One of my favorite things about the Folklife Festival are the surprise sidewalk performances. You just have to be at the right place, at the right time to discover and enjoy something new and exciting. For this year, it was a mix of some Celtic (not sure) and country ho-down fun. I meant to ask more info on this group. I hope to see them again someday.

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I noticed many sidewalk performers had their dogs with them, which I think added a lot of charm to the overall atmosphere.

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Another favorite sidewalk performance. I was hoping to get a name, but couldn’t hold out until the full act was over to ask. The steel drum (I think) produced a cool Caribbean beat when tapped, combined with the stepping of the speaker he sat on it. The effect was a hypnotic awesome rhythm.

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Some fantastic locking and popping happened here. Loved this, as these sick moves brought me back to my early years on the streets of San Francisco.

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Not sure what dancing this is. There was some fiddle music from the stage at this time, and the line moved all around.

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Not all was music. Some fun came from people finding their own ways to share the delight.

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Anthony Briscoe and his band Down North brought some serious fire to the Saturday Night, fuming with a combo of rock, R&B, and soul.

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I didn’t catch the name of the guest guitarist who Anthony brought on stage for one jam, but daaamn, he was good.

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More drums!

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More dancin!

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Festivals are not complete without some crazy food choices.

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Not that it ever really gets hot here in Seattle, but the trees make for great shade and atmosphere.

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Overall, a lot of cheer from many. I was happy to be a part of all this. Thanks again to the PNW Folklife Festival and all involved, for making this happen.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 5/14/15, City Squirrel

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“Nuts? What nuts? There are no nuts here”
And then, Sam Squirrel scuttled back up the nearby tree.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 5/5/15, Birdy Bird!

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Upon the roof today..

After some tacos and sudden rain. Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

Picture of Today 5/4/15, May The Fourth Be With You..

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Dislike Mondays, I sometimes do. Changes that, a good sunset does.

Pictures of Saturday 5/2/15, Waterfront Blue

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Finally, time to relax..

A lot of us had a rough week. Some more than others. A huge protest involving more than 10,000 people in Baltimore happened last week, over the untimely death of Freddie Gray. The death was later ruled a homicide, with six involved police officers charged. A riot also broke, leading to urban chaos Baltimore.

In other parts of the country, many experienced some first world problems. Multiple theaters sold out on seats for the opening day of the Avengers: Age of Ultron movie. Some were not looking forward to the disappointment and waste of money spent on the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight.

In Seattle, I just wanted to be me. For that, I was hoping to leave the citylife for a day and enjoy some outdoor adventure surrounded by trees and shrubbery. But the errand-doings squandered much of the day, so I instead decided to use the good time leftover by the ol Seattle city waterfronts. The weather was beautiful, and the atmosphere cheery. Here are some highlights of that time…

051 copyThe entrance to the Seattle Aquarium. I love this sign. I should go in, someday. I promise to take pictures when I do..

060 copyA local street performer act. He drew a lot of attention among the locals and tourists. Not so much for the unicorn head, but also for being quiet good with his drum beats on the buckets..

067 copyWhile looking for a restroom, I stumbled upon a second floor food court on Pier 57, of which I did not know existed. It’s a cozy spot for those who like local junk food and cool neon signs.

070 copyI love neon signs. The bigger and more, the better.

074 copyBack outside Pier 57, the Seattle Great Wheel continues to thrill. I remember not liking this much when the attraction first opened in 2012. Now, I have gotten used to it and appreciate the cheer it spreads.

073 copySome free reading material, as it was “Free Comic Book Day” on May 2nd. I partook in a comic store visit that day. I found a nice seat by the waterfront., and enjoyed them.

085 copyLater on at Pier 62/63..the nice wide open wood area. There is a ping-pong table that I have never seen used for ping-pong. Still, it’s there and looks oddly cool in the sunlight.

2015-05-02 19.49.26A look at a tiny boat, using an extra lens mounted at Pier 66.

091 copyA look at the water, before I go. I promise to take more pics of the water on my next stroll through here.

– Orion T

Pictures of Saturday 4/25/15, Seattle Center Daze..

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I did some local exploring around the Space Needle.That was my spontaneous little adventure in the later daylight end for yesterday. Here are some pics…

004 copyThe rooftop view, a nice day for fluffy clouds and a good walk..

018 copyThe monorail through the local Experience Music Project museum..

019Up and above..

017 copyA new playground here. The paint is fresh. The playground will be open to the public next month sometime…

007 copySame playground but from a different fence. I may have filtered it a bit too much in the Photoshop touch up edit, but I really liked the lines. I wanted to make sure you noticed..

013 copyThe same playground from another closed off entrance.. It’s a little crazy, and seems dangerous.

011A little more about that..

025 copyAnother look at the Space Needle, from a mid-Spring point of view…

024 copyA little birdie hopping around..

032 copyThe John T Williams Honor Pole, carved by his brother (Rick L. Williams) to honor John and his long family generations of carving. John T. Williams was the seventh generation Nitinaht carver of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. He died in 2010, from multiple gunshot wounds fired from a Seattle police officer. For more on that story, click here. Thanks to donations and public support, this totem pole remains close to the Space Needle, for all to appreciate.

051 copyThat is all for now. I depart the Seattle Center, and walk through the Bill and Melinda Gates Visitor Center. There is much else of visual interest around here. However, I will save that adventure for another day..

– Orion T

Pictures of Today 4/24/2015, Next Stop, Pioneer Square Station, Doors to your Right..

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Under the streets of old Seattle, transitions happen. There is much beauty in this process, though many of us are too busy to appreciate its design.

Many are local citizens, going about their daily commutes to and from work. They would likely be relieved to not take part in the rising traffic jams above and around the growing Downtown area. Some probably have a good book, or an old timey newspaper. Others have their mobile device; perfect for casual video games and the occasional texting conversation (once out of the tunnel). While their lives are usual and mundane, they still take part in their daily exercise of change. This tunnel is a major part of that process…a maker of their daily progress gone smooth.

Some are a bit excited to make this transition to or from their homes abroad, as they are often tourists, or weekend visitors to those special loved ones or good friends. Either ways, the stop inside a tunnel station is a major turning point in that journey. An official step, to leave all behind or welcome all forward. Some changes may be from the stop before. Even so, the above world is still different than the one left behind 10 minutes ago. All change becomes accepted, and planned well with the beginning, or the end of this transition point.  We forget the in-between, very quickly.

Take this stop in Pioneer Square, also known as the Pioneer Square Link Light Station. You may catch a number of buses, or the Link Light railbus throughout the King County area.

This 25-year old station lies beneath the older, more historical part of Seattle. Everything here below, feels like the opposite of the town above. It feels open, almost quiet except for constant whining of buses and railcars. Everything seems simple, as to a purpose and options on what could do here. Yet above, the world is busy and complex. The streets seem to have less space. There are unpleasant smells sometimes. The destinations are nearly infinite, with many directions one could choose from. This is different from airports, and open business districts and suburbs of the destinations where the transits follow beyond the Downtown areas. When you leave the space between spaces, a transition complete and new normal comes accepted.

Still, that station below is quite incredible; a retro-futuristic fantasy come to life. Here are pictures of this grand stop; the amazing tunnel between. Sorry, I did not take any pics of the grand exterior of the stairway. My camera battery was “exhausted” by then. My change, was to leaving this alone, forgetting it all; and next choosing that good place to enjoy a good slice of pizza.

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Earth Day in the Big City..

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Happy Earth Day!

And so goes all the good messages about planting trees, recycling, putting some extra through on how we converse resources. This is not much to ask for the many of us busy with work, or preoccupied with some studies and big crazy projects.

Yet, here we are again. And sometimes, it’s the little things we don’t appreciate. Like these trees that I felt fortunate to walk among in this big downtown city. Now, the Spring is full-grown, and the leaves are plenty enough to block out much of the continued development that sprouts from the grounds of this Emerald City. I smile a little more on this Earth Day, to see the efforts of this co-existence of nature and industrialization in the high-paced working world. There are ecological benefits to our longer-term survival with this continued push for nature through our cities. I would like to think having more trees helps reduce the effects of city pollution and smog. The shade also helps to bring down mental stress, I think.

So, today I spread the light on our public parks, and emphasize  the importance of increasing planted trees in our modernized civilizations. We continue to push forward, plant more trees and bushes; all great action in the right directions. This continual rebirth of local nature is helpful to our environment and futures, in more ways than we can see. But, sometimes to take in the sights of a well-developed park..is enough to appreciate.

The pictures below are of the Pioneer Square area of Downtown Seattle; taken days ago with a cheaper point and shoot camera. However, today has small outbursts of sun and shine throughout the Pioneer Square. The leaves are just as nice to look at and through, on this lovely Earth Day. If you are nearby some earthly sights, take time out and appreciate..

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– Orion T

Pictures of Today 4/19/15, Trailing through Discovery Park

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A hike through Discovery Park..yes.

That was the best remedy to a rough last week; as I needed fresh air, time away from the screens and sirens. Discovery Park has 534 square miles, of peace and nature for one to enjoy. There are open meadows, dense forestation, rocky cliffs, old historical buildings, and a beach. For anyone living in Seattle, it’s easily accessible by bus, car, and probably even a bike. Sunday, was my day of escape. To there, I went.

While hiking through, I took pictures. Here are some unedited raws, featuring the best of the today’s afternoon adventure..

072High above the upper meadow trails of Discovery Park. Downtown Seattle is somewhere behind the hills to the left.

060Today was a nice blue day, sunny at 70 degrees.

063Yet, there was a constant wind chill. Those bushes with the small yellow petals were in constant sway.

068Though much of the cherry blossoms and magnolias have vanished through the city, some were late bloomers and still showing some of that early Spring pride.

069No words, just cool shadow play.

082There is a beach down below. I just follow the trail and watch my step. But take time, because each view is fantastic.

083Some moss there. I like moss.

079Lots of birds chirping, as I walk more between the trees. I wish I was good at spotting them. There are some bird tours coming up, here in Discovery Park. I may join in on one.

037Okay, I found this one. Not sure if it’s a crow. I like this shot.

096The beach, with lots of dried wood and visitors.

090The West Point Lighthouse. A shot without anyone walking around it or taking selfies in front of it was pretty much impossible today. Still, worth the capture.

010Another group of local visitors, enjoying some off-shore strolling.

088Tides were picking up. The calming was over, and the wind also increased. The time to go back was now. Also, I am hungry and forgot to bring efficient snacks.

104On my way back, a nice small meadow to stare at. Argh, I forget what those puffy things are called..

006Okay then..

058Not Discovery Park, but my last minute visit to the Sculpture Park before heading home. I caught this awesome sunset, just in the nick of time.

That’s all for now. I will be back to Discovery Park again, soon. Hopefully then, I will see more birds.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 4/14/15, Leftovers..

 

There was a break from the rain. The last few days had plentiful pour, and then some heavy cumulous cloud activity. Forecast calls for days of part sunshine, then likely back to the rain. 

Oh, Seattle weather…