The Seattle Center Holiday Lights..

Photo Dec 16, 7 28 56 AM

A good evening below the Full Moon, and Holiday Season at the Seattle Center.

Just an otherwise quiet night, perfect for an evening stroll (to the supermarket). Cutting through the great Seattle Center, perfect in its Seasonal cheer. The weather, a little warmer than previous nights (around 40 degrees), and enough for its International Fountain to give a good show (usually turned off on the colder or rainy nights).

Some surrounding paths are decorated well, scattered with cheer.

XMAS3 014

Directly below, the Space Needle, at the Howard S. Wright Memorial Fountain. There stands this assembly of lit spheres, forming a very different and artsy Christmas tree.

Seattle Xmas tree

Above, the Space Needle, with the Moon adding to its shine.

Space Needle moonlight

The Moon, appreciated by the giant, musical Sonic Bloom solar flowers at the nearby Pacific Science Center. Nothing Seasonal themed here, just a beautiful moment given by the wonderful timing.

Sonic Bloom Moon

Hours later, the fog rolled in; hiding the last Full Moon of 2013, but not the Holiday spirit.

Seattle Space Needle fog

Pictures by Orion Tippens

NOTE: Do not copy or use any of the images here or herein without written consent (contact Orion at travelingorion.wordpress.com). © Copyright 2013 Orion Tippens. All Rights Reserved

The wonder full International Fountain of Seattle

photo by Orion Tippens

In Seattle, you can find rain on the sunniest of days.

Visit the International Water Fountain near the great Space Needle! It’s got a nice surrounding lawn, relaxing classical music, and some fantastic art museums nearby. The fountain itself is an everlasting, constantly changing work of awesome.

For more info on this grand fountain, here are the specs from the official Seattle Center online page:

  • Built: Originally in 1961 for 1962 World’s Fair 
  • Replaced & rebuilt: 1995
  • Landscape Architect: Kenichi Nakano & Associates
  • Mechanical Designer: WET Design
  • Diameter of bowl: 220’
  • Height & width of dome: 10’ tall & 27’ wide
  • Water Capacity: 9,000 gallons
  • Water Shooters: 137 total mist nozzles
  • 77 fleur-de-lis’
  • 56 microshooters
  • 4 Super Shooters
  • Height reached by Super Shooters: 120’
  • Water in one Super Shooter: 66 gallons
  • Air pressure in one Super Shooter shot: 120 psi
  • Number of water programs synchronized to music: 5
  • Welcome to Seattle Center Show, Aaron Copeland’s ‘Billy the Kid,’ Duke Ellington, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and a mix from Northwest Rock ‘n Roll legends. 
  • Time of shows: up to 12 minutes

Touch the center if you dare..

photo by Orion Tippens

photo by Orion Tippens

photo by Orion Tippens

photo by Orion Tippens