With a good mix of noise.
I love the city rain, especially in Seattle.
– Orion T
Tag Archives: night
Picture of Today 10/30/16, Needle in Fog..
Late night walk through the mist on this Sunday night by Seattle’s Space Needle. All is quiet now, after a very busy weekend. I must go home and rest. Good night Seattle!
– Orion T
Picture of Today 11/23/15, The Early Late Night
“The unwelcome November rain had perversely stolen the day’s last hour and pawned it with that ancient fence, the night.”
– F. Scott Fitzgerald, This Side of Paradise
Golden Noir Nights in Rain City..
Sometimes, I feel like a bystander in the first chapter of some long mystery. Especially, when the rain happens through the night.
The rain does this sometimes, because nights like this are best described in long opening descriptions, establishing mood and environment. I love this kind of rain, not dense or rough enough to have myself rushing to the next bus; but to casually stroll through and let the wetness sink in (and take pictures). The wet sprinkles are enough to appreciate my surroundings, and think of what has not changed since the noir days of old fashioned city life. This being, how we all become a part of our environments, yet don’t know it. The rain in this city can places between between reflections, making new shadows of us dwelling through. We are all getting by, to become new stories or develop that next chapter.
Just be careful out there.
Shots above and below are of the Westlake Center area of Downtown Seattle; a place that is best in after hours, and in the rain. Also, I really like these shots. I will be coming more of this in the near future.
Pictures of Today 1/31/15, 12 Man Fan Colours
This was early last night, after midnight. Here in the Seattle Center, the 12 man spirit of the SeaHawks is going Beast Mode through the thick fog (see previous Space Needle pics!). The Super Bowl will be the next day, and the Pacific Science Center knows what’s up.
Also, I love the fog.
And, below is a bonus of where I stopped by this night..the Benaroya Music Hall, also showing some Seahawk cheer!
(Go Hawks!!)
Pictures of Today 1/30/15, Nightly Comes the Fog..
The fog is impatient today, rushing in. Seattle’s Blue Friday night before the coming Super Bowl, will be hidden.
I saw it coming a little earlier..
And then, nothing could stop it..
The moon shines high above the fog, for now..
And there was the Needle..
10 minutes later..
10 minutes later..
Now is the time for new secrets..
Picture of Today 1/17/15, Let it Rain..
Not the best picture I could take, but fits the mood perfect.
Also, it’s hard to hold an umbrella and a camera at the same time in this situation. Rain was pouring crazy, but strangely beautiful to look at.
Here is another difficult shot.
Pictures of the Night (Part 3), The Night Stop..
Continued from previous Part 1 and Part 2, where I lost myself in the fog and I had a strange yet short adventure. And now, I return back to the Federal Way transit station.
And I have a little time left to look around..
And, there are others. But, not for long..
I explore the parking structure, because it’s there. And to get a better view from above.
Everyone is gone, almost.
I look at the time. I best go back (bus arrives at 9:45 pm).
and here I am again. Almost empty..
Another one appears, than disappears.
And the last one runs. But not too late. Here comes the bus.
And that was all. I slept very soundly on very comfortable seat. I remember nothing else..
Pictures of the Night (Part 2), Playtime Alone..
Continued from yesterday (part 1), to the night before..among shadowy characters..
Above and below, we have a playground further away from the transit station. The basketball court has a very colorful layout, and very smooth. I wish I had a ball. But, I will playfully walk around.
Here is a two-dimensional maze, daring lost souls in the fog to partake..
And here is a hoop guardian, ready for basketballs to pass through. It waits patiently for the dark and fog to pass.
Soon, I would I would need to board the bus. But there was a little time, but not much..to explore a little more. Next up, the Federal Way Transit Station itself..
(To be continued.. )
Pictures of the Night (Part 1), Strangers in the Fog..
Lost in spirit…..
In the middle of somewhere, by a transit station in Federal Way (further south of Seattle)..I missed the bus back home, after leaving another bus from work. I was early for the next, by 45 minutes. I could wait impatiently and wear down my phone battery with obsessive social media play. Or, I could let my curiosity take over and walk away with the phone buried in my knapsack.
So, I wandered in the fog further away from the station and around the corner, drawn towards different lights. Between them, odd silhouettes stranded about.. These were the strangest strangers, frozen in the fog.
And, I wondered in my wandering..Who or what were these strange stone apparitions? Did they also miss the bus? Would I join them?
There is no escape. I am among them now..
This one is important. A spell or counterspell in process, I can only guess..
Here, I think is some part of a grand epic with an aquatic setting. Details are difficult, as the night hides much.
This one is different, and most suspicious…
And this one, I think strays from all company. It stays alone, especially tonight.
I could find no more information while here, other than shadowy visuals. Perhaps in the future, I will google this place. But for this foggy night, I like mysteries to stay as they are.
But, I noticed something else in the distance, far beyond this tree. It was enough to draw me away from the binding spell of the this strange gathering.
(To be continued.. )
Pictures of Today 1/3/15, de Lights
Let me show you some lights..
Big and small, in many shapes, connected and apart, in many colors or just one..
But I will only show a few for now. Some are enough for one night…
Especially, in the freezing cold.
Picture of Today 12/20/14, Merry Holiday Season at the Market
‘Twas the peak of the Holiday weekend shopping rush all through the Market. Earlier, where the corridors were crowded with tourists and gift-givers being greeted by merchants and fish-throwers. The rain outside stayed all day, and a little in the night with some sprinkles here and there. I meanwhile, am happy with my box of smoked salmon, of which I will bring to a party later on.
Good night.
Picture of Today 12/18/14, Around in the Rain..
Serious rain happened this evening. From the sky, everything drenched below to these streets of the Emerald City. For us getting home from work, we hurried. For others getting the holiday shopping done, they hurried. For the rest, there were whimsical choices and not the need to escape the nightly showers..which is why this merry-go-round was ready to go this late evening.
Also, one can never be too wet for mini-donuts and hot chocolate..
Picture of Today 12/16/14, Holidays Bound II
More lights!!
Same place as yesterday, at the Westlake Center by the Westlake Mall in the jolly Emerald City of Seattle. Enjoy these lights, especially when put up in such a brilliant and strategic pattern.
Picture of Today 12/12/14 II, Friday Night..
And I feel all right..
Up here in downtown Seattle.
(Taken from floor 73 of the Columbia Tower, see previous post)
Picture of Today 11/16/14
Just me, the Seattle Space Needle, and a small kaleidoscope.
This is not the best of my experiments in photography, but I like this. I’ll try it again on a much warmer night..
Picture of Today 11/12/14
This evening, life goes on for this city of Seattle. The wind picks up and the current temperature chills down to around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Outside, most people are either coming or going to where they must. Inside, I will soon cook mash potatoes and smoked salmon.
I look back to what made this day special..
Earlier and 510 million miles away, on a comet traveling at 24,600 miles per hour; the Philae probe made its successful landing upon its surface. This journey took more than 10 years in space travel, with many risks along the way. The purpose is to collect and send data (along with the separated Rosetta spacecraft) that may give further insight to the scientific origins of life on earth. More on that at esa.int.
Cheers to this special day.
Picture of Today 11/6/14
The night is cold and windy.
Also, very quiet. I can hear the cold and the wind.
Picture of Last Night – the SuperMoon over Seattle
Last night was another SuperMoon, a phenomenon where our lone natural satellite appears bigger (16% last night) than normal. I shot this picture with no tripod in the wind, after lots of different tries with different settings (with light Photoshop editing). I’m not not much of a pro, but do have fun trying.
Here are other tries (with light Photoshop editing)..
Picture of Today 6/7/14
Space Needle of Seattle,
about 9:30ish, after sunset.
A little windy, but not to cold.
Nice.
Picture of Today 6/6/14
Echo..
She listens, with eyes closed. Echo was a nymph, from Ovid’s Metamorphoses; the source of many Greek myths. She had a lovely voice, eventually reduced by Hera, who felt bothered Echo was distracting away from Zeus’s promiscuous affairs. So as punishment, Echo’s voice was cursed to only repeat the last word of another.
Now she is in Seattle, as a giant 46-foot head overlooking the Puget Sound waters. Echo is made from resin, steel and marble dust. Her face, the latest addition to enough bizarre works of art inside Sculpture Park. She was sculpted by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, and brought in from New York as a donation to the Seattle Art Museum.
Picture of Yesterday 2/18/14
Some happenings..
A little late last night, in the lower Queen Anne district of Seattle.
….
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 2014 Orion Tippens. All Rights Reserved
Snowy Night in Seattle (pics from days ago)
Here, some pics I took from last Saturday night (previous ones were from my smartphone).
All unexpected pleasantness, as snow is a rare thing in the Emerald City…
….
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 2014 Orion Tippens. All Rights Reserved.
Picture of Today 2/1/14
The eve for the Super Bowl XLVIII, 2014
Here in Seattle, there is much 12th Man excitement for their mighty Seahawks football team, as they face off against the Denver Broncos tomorrow, in New York City. This will be their second Super Bowl, after making it thus far in their 2005 season.
So what does 12 represent?
A football team has 11 players. The 12th man is..are the fans, all legion as one; showing their support, and becoming a big motivator for victory.
Why Seattle?
The 12th man goes back further for back for decades, with the originators for the fandom term being Texas A&M University. Through stubborn continuation of the 12th Man (and an eventual settlement with Texas A&M in 2003), Seahawks became the official team in the NFL to now use this phrase.
Go Seahawks!
….
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 2014 Orion Tippens. All Rights Reserved
Picture of Yesterday (1/12/14)
Go ‘Hawks!
The great Space Needle show its colorful spirit for the recent Seattle Seahawks win and advancement in the playoffs. Above the saucer, a large blue flag displays the number 12, a traditional honor to the 12th Man; a term used by sports fans with a long history, but now more exclusive to Seattle, thanks to a large lawsuit and settlement with Texas A&M University (who originally coined it as a fan term since 1921).
Another fun term among Seattle football fans is the “Beast Quake.” This came from a Seahawks game back on January 8, 2011; where fans literally shook the Earth in excitement during the playoffs in the 4th quarter as its star running back, Marshawn Lynch made a 67-yard touchdown run, ensuring the crucial win against the New Orleans Saints.
…
Picture 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 2014 Orion Tippens. All rights reserved
The Seattle Center Holiday Lights..
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.
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.
Above, the Space Needle, with the Moon adding to its shine.
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.
Hours later, the fog rolled in; hiding the last Full Moon of 2013, but not the Holiday spirit.
…
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
That Seattle Holiday Spirit..
Beautiful, and festive.
Yes, this comes to mind looking at the Space Needle with its Holiday hat in the late midnight, now with 13 days to go until Christmas Day. This special time adds needed warmth, for the current chilly nights and earlier nightfall. Walk through the Downtown areas of Westlake, Pioneer Square, Pike Market, and you will find special, colorful Christmas deco; some very creative, unique adding to the Emerald City’s artistic vibe. These wonderful holiday illuminations, brings special color and vibrancy to the chilly nights of Seattle’s prime center. So if here in Seattle, or any wonderful city development in the spirit, take a walk outside and enjoy the seasonal sights.
I will, with more pictures to follow.
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
Summer Daze at Ocean Beach part 2/2
Continued from part 1.
Put the world behind you, and enjoy the best part of Ocean Beach.
The dense and plentiful sand, a grandest sky, the endless water, the resonance of unending tides. OB has it all in wait.
Further out, is the amazing Ocean Beach Municipal Pier, standing tall since 1966, This is my favorite escape, within an escape. The OB pier is where one takes good time, slow walk and let the worries of the wold fade out with each step out. Among you will be those with fishing poles, casting out for good catch. Maybe, I will someday join them.
Look out and far, especially on a clear day.
Also, the OB Pier is the longest concrete pier on the West Coast at 1,971 feet (601 m).
Looking over, the pier is a great place to watch surfers in action. Like much of California’s Coast, OB is a prime spot for the surfing culture.
Here in OB, the surfing lifestyle has its early roots. Surfing was been traced back as far as 1916 when local lifeguard Charlie Wright borrowed a wooden surfboard from the Hawaiian Olympic swimmer and surfing’s living legend, Duke Kahanamoku. Wright went on to produce more boards, gave lessons, and promoted surfing to the local area. Afterwards, that surfing community grew as the sporting became native to San Diego.
Some surf late, enjoying the best of the golden Californian sunset.
For me, I often go for another walk on the great OB pier. The coming night offers a different reward for those looking for quality alone time. Also, one could enjoy a more illuminate view of the coast looking back. On my last visit, the camera battery power faded. So, I present these views from the same place from a previous time some years ago, upon the night of a Harvest Moon.
From here, there are no more words..
Alexander’s Castle
Today, I share one my favorite pictures, taken by me. Bear in mind, I am no professional at photography, but I love doing it.
Alexander’s Castle, during a rising full moon on a winter’s night, some years ago:
The location is in the northwest United States, within the State of Washington, far north of Seattle, on the northwest side of Puget Sound on a peninsula, very near to the small town of Port Townsend. The surrounding area is Fort Worden, a state park and former US military station.
The castle itself is the oldest building there. Here is more info from the Washington State Park Web site.
“According to the legend, Reverend John Alexander built the castle for a prospective Scottish bride in a style reminiscent of his native country. In 1883, he acquired 10 acres of land near Point Wilson and constructed the building known as Alexander’s Castle. Alexander intended the building to serve as a home for him and his bride. Traveling to Scotland to get his bride, Alexander found that his bride-to-be had married another. He returned to Port Townsend alone and used the building as a temporary residence. During the park’s Army days, the castle was used for a number of purposes including serving as the first site of the Post Exchange and for many years housed the tailor shop.”
For me, it was just a night walk during my three-week stay at a nearby hostel (now closed). I was experimenting with my newly acquired Canon Rebel T1i DSLR, taking advantage of the surrounding lights for exposure. I was hoping to get a better shot of the moon in the background, but knew too little. I tried, a lot. I don’t recall the ISO settings, exposure time, etc., but I did some very heavy experimenting. I must have taken at 30-50 pictures (with no tripod), trying different camera settings. With this picture that turned out best, I used a little Photoshop to remove the noise. Later, I appreciated my overall effort and this particular moody result.
Fort Worden and its surroundings are amazing, with much to offer for travelers and adventurists. I will detail more on this area in a future write-up.
TRAVELING ORION 