Tag Archives: Photography

Sunday Settling Down

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I had a wonderful day this latest Sunday (now past midnight and it’s Monday).

Add a gentle breeze to the mid-70s F. This Sunday had a fine, calming .  Just hours before, I ate a damn good “California style” burrito from a food truck, along with some freshly squeezed strawberry lemonade from another at the South Lake Union Food Festival. Then, worked on some writing and reading while gradually drawing my feet to the waterfront.

And that was much of the good day, then getting to the sunset time made it wonderful. The view above is from Pier 66 on the Seattle waterfront, at about 8:50pm.

– Orion T

Another Happy New Summer

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The Great Wheel at Seattle’s waterfront is still a favorite familiar site, along with the peaceful Elliot Bay waters beyond. After seeing the backdrop in gray for so long, I learned to appreciate the return of the blue for this middle time of the year.

The above picture is from a few days ago.

Today (and currently past midnight), I just realized the summer solstice time just started, as my life is full of busy distractions (and worn out from much work overtime) to further notice. Yet, I feel the pleasant, warmer temperatures alongside the brighter skies and wonderful smiles that come with. Such things give a natural comfort to my day, but I feel I am missing something else.

Hmm.

Perhaps, I should slow down and enjoy this summer season.

– Orion T

 

Riding the Great Weather

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Lately, the warm and sunny weather has brought out the best in people.

For me over the recent weekend, the effect been more exercise by moving around more. I also got some nice new walking shoes, making my recent walk through the West Seattle longer, more enjoyable. Also, I did some reading and writing

Alki Beach of West Seattle felt especially pleasant, with people in abundance doing many good things possible and special to this wonderful climate. The best of which included volleyball, kayaking, jogging, conversing, holding hands, eating ice cream out of a cone, dog-walking,  and leaving their mobile devices alone.

The summer is about a month away, with more days of good sun to make up for some of the gloom and freeze of the prior months (at least here in the Pacific Northwest US).

I look forward!

– Orion T

I shot the picture last Saturday afternoon. No idea on who the bicyclist is, but his balance skills are excellent. And I think he probably appreciated the cheers in the distance (and a big thanks to him for allowing me time to get my camera ready). I could also overhear someone whistling and complementing his physique. That got a chuckle out of me.

Looking at some Romanesco Broccoli

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I past by some interesting, and larger sized broccoli at Sosio’s Produce inside Pike Place Market in Seattle. Only $4.99 a pound for this, and what the signed said was “Organic Italian Broccoli Romanesco.”

According to a Wikipedia entry on Romanesco broccoli, it has grown in Italy since the 16th century. Also known:

“Romanesco superficially resembles a cauliflower, but it is chartreuse in color, and its form is strikingly fractal in nature. The inflorescence (the bud) is self-similar in character, with the branched meristems making up a logarithmic spiral. In this sense the bud’s form approximates a natural fractal; each bud is composed of a series of smaller buds, all arranged in yet another logarithmic spiral. This self-similar pattern continues at several smaller levels. The pattern is only an approximate fractal since the pattern eventually terminates when the feature size becomes sufficiently small. The number of spirals on the head of Romanesco broccoli is a Fibonacci number.”

Fascinating!

– Orion T

The Second Sunset past Seven

The best thing about this new daylight saving time change, is more time to savor a good sunset. Especially, with the warm weather.

So I did, behind the Pile Place Market in the new deck area. The shot above is from my phone, with its last bit of battery life before shutting down.

– Orion T

The Outside In

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The sun was an inviting element to this particular past weekend for 2018. I think this was the first time of this year, where the Emerald City got complete sunshine for both Saturday and Sunday.

Or, at least that what I have noticed while not being indoors for most this weekend. I walked around a lot through downtown and the waterfront on errands and eating. But particularly striking was the Central Library in the early afternoon. I was there to finish my taxes and check out some movies. The light of the sun directly shined through, causing the revealing pattern shadows on the floor. I had to take a picture (see above).

Then, the only movie I checked out was Alien: Covenant. I watched it later, and felt no excitement. That movie is super boring and put me to sleep.

– Orion T

It’s just the rain…

“I went to bed and woke in the middle of the night thinking I heard someone cry, thinking I myself was weeping, and I felt my face and it was dry. Then I looked at the window and thought: Why, yes, it’s just the rain, the rain, always the rain, and turned over, sadder still, and fumbled about for my dripping sleep and tried to slip it back on.”

― Ray Bradbury,
Green Shadows, White Whale: A Novel of Ray Bradbury’s Adventures Making Moby Dick with John Huston in Ireland

The picture is a from a recent hour at a bus stop, using a camera with just enough battery life to capture this moment in Downtown Seattle.

– Orion T

A cold and wet Seattle night…

With a good mix of noise.

I love the city rain, especially in Seattle.

– Orion T

Outside the Amazon Spheres

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Live in Seattle, and you will eventually notice the overwhelming presence of Amazon. I mean this, because of the influence the mega-dominating capitalist empire carries, with its growing tech culture and innovation, here at a high price for the locals here.

Now stands the Amazon Spheres, an enclosed botanical paradise for some of its highest privileged employees. A forest world of its own, with a large variety of plants, waterfalls, and trees; all contained within an architectural wonder of curved glass and complicated steelwork.

This bonkers modern construction is the newest developed centerpiece for the many surrounding Amazon buildings towering over the city (and much blocking the view of the Space Needle for us regular folk). Its light after sunset illuminates Amazon’s current prosperity to its many local highly paid tech-workers, as they gather their food at the nearby Amazon Go shop, or the Whole Foods Market a few blocks away (now owned by Amazon).

The building is cool to look at, but I think would be more impressive if it stood for more than its company name. I have more to say on this, especially after visiting the inside of one of those spheres.

More on that, soon.

– Orion T

 

The crazy truth of carrots

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Carrots are not always orange. This popular vegetable can appear in white, yellow, red, and purple.

The orange color is popular and well-known, said to be the result of 17th-century Dutch farmers who selectively bred the orange variants in a higher quantity, to symbolize the Netherlands through its nation’s chosen color and independence.

Before them, carrots have been known for its many colors and grown as a food source around the world. The color is dependent on the wavelength of light they absorb, creating the natural pigments. They still do, but the orange ones remain the most popular for being an excellent source of beta-carotene in its natural pigment.

Also, popularized in modern times by the famous cartoon rabbit, Bugs Bunny.  His original voice actor, Mel Blanc, did not like carrots and spit them out while eating them in voicing sessions.

I like them because they are filling, and a healthy way to rid hunger while avoiding fast food.

– Orion T 

The picture above was taken a stand at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, where you can buy some of these unusual carrots.

 

 

Enter the Wolf Moon of 2018..

Happy New Year!

Today begins with that, and a new Full Moon or Super Moon (given its fullness and slightly closer position to Earth) on this night.

This first Full Moon is also known as the Wolf Moon, according to some ancient naming tradition unclear in origin. It is said that wolves howl more during this time, though not at the Moon but toward the night sky. Reasons I believe, are their use of the open sky as better acoustics to announce their presence, and communicate with each other.

Meanwhile, I did not feel like howling, and felt shivers from the cold air during my short time in the outside today. I took the above pic during a needed walk after a long sleep recovering from the long night before, and the tough year that ended.

So, onto new things ahead, which will be exciting with some curiosity and daring moves to be done. Then perhaps, I will feel like howling.

– Orion T

Snowy Wires Above.

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The electric transportation wires cross-crossed on Broadway and Pine in Seattle’s Capitol Hill are a mildly interesting sight to behold. Seeing them layered with snow bring a further specialness to the quiet night last Sunday, on Christmas Eve.

– Orion T

Merry Christmas Day!!

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Today, the streets remain quiet this Christmas Day, but the cheer remains.

Enjoy the spirit.

-Orion T

…

I took the picture recently from the famed Pike Place Market in Downtown Seattle, in the quiet after hours of this Holiday Season.

A Rockin Christmas Eve…

We got some snow here in Seattle, this Christmas Eve.

The day is also very cold and the moment late for many just finished up on work. For me in the last night, I spent nearly half an hour almost asleep on the Light Link rail, finally arriving in Seattle’s Capitol Hill. And behold, the night is silent with a few walking about and most shops cold. Above, the spirit of Jimi Hendrix is half covered in snow, a perfect metaphor of the liveliness carried on though this silent night…

Meanwhile, sleep well. And for the next day…Merry Christmas!

– Orion T

Pictures of Today 11/26/2017, Lights-Go-Round

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Today, after the sun fell, I passed by a special carousel in Seattle’s downtown Westlake Center, which only comes out for the holiday season around here. I had my good camera with me and took the above picture.

I enjoy the beauty of unfocused lights, as this setting gave much to the eye in variety and sizes. I love every megapixel of this moment. So much loved, I didn’t bother with cropping and or editing the result.

I then shot another picture, this time further our and focused, seconds before someone jumped on the horse…

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There is a special brilliance of a great carousel when fully illuminated at night. You see one, take a moment to stop and appreciate. Then maybe, go for a ride.

– Orion T

 

Picture of Today 11/20/2017, The Cold Scene

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I little earlier today in the afternoon, I recall the temperature at 45 degrees (F). The rain was heavy from the morning, and then came a break after with mild winds. Coming out to lunch, I felt the remainder of chill air.

The effect felt refreshing. Not sure why. I think perhaps, there’s something natural about this, mixed with the view of the trees over the fence upon Myrtle Edwards Park, with Elliot Bay in the distance. There, I noticed the leaves nearly gone from the trees, so much more than those of the inner Seattle City. being near the water, I am guessing the winds have done more work here, allowing more cold air to pass through from the sky above.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 10/7/2017 II, Seattle before the Rise

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The Seattle downtown area before the full sunrise., around 6:30 pm. This view came from Pier 66, where I was also taking shots of the Harvest Moon (see the previous post).

I loved every second of this moment.

– Orion T

Do Androids Dream of Living Computers?

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I’m much excited for the new Blade Runner 2049 movie coming out soon, but also a bit worried it may not live up to the grandeur of the original, a cinematography and storytelling work of art.

With that in mind, I attended the “Do Androids Dream of Living Computers?” event at the awesome Living Computers: Museum + Labs in the SoDo area of Seattle, last weekend. the event was an homage to the classic 1984 Blade Runner classic movie with its influence on tech, AI, and cyberpunk culture. With that were live performances, Voight-Kampff tests, cosplay, origami foldings, cosplay, AI developments examples, and much more. I had a good time and took a few pics…

 

Also, big thanks to the Living Computers: Museum + Labs for putting this on. The entire place is super great, with many preserved computer machines and new innovations on display. Much of which I plan to focus on with another write-up someday with another visit to the awesome museum. Visit www.livingcomputers.org for more information.

– Orion T

 

Pictures of Today 9/27/2017, Waiting for the Night

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Today was nice, especially the evening.

I took the above picture on a spur of the moment while working out some plans and enjoying the continuous breath of fresh air. Location is Myrtle Edwards Park, with West Seattle in the distance.

– Orion T

Picture of Today 9/21/2017, Goodbye Summer

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Today is the last day of Summer 2017 for the Northern Hemisphere. I hope you took some great looks at the grown green, especially if you’re in the Pacific Northwest, for it’s all coming down soon. Along with it, the warm weather and brighter days.

Yet, I think there will be as much to appreciate in the coming Fall. Wait and see…

Late Night Fuzzyness

A personal favorite shot above, showing my mood hours later after first arriving in San Diego two weeks ago.

The location, the end branch of the long Municipal Pier in Ocean Beach. It's a lovely place, no matter the picture. Just enjoy it, in any mood.

– Orion T

More shots to come, later and clearer.

The Spring Behind Us…

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I barely noticed the Spring has left.

I think for much of the season, at least for much of the Pacific Northwest, has left brought us cold and rainy weather, full of gloom with lessened sunshine. Such was especially towards the end.

Yet. there were moments. Many of which I either slept through or worked tirelessly on by. Such were the simple walks, enjoying the moments that can not be specialized through any specialized event or happening.

Here are pics of the recent days, of which took place in between the errands and mundane activities of errand-doing and sky-gazing….

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Don’t forget the blooms, for they will be gone soon!

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Morning squirrel, I see you!

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My hangout these days in Freeway Park, by the convenience of my work walking commute. It’s my place to read comic books and respond to texts.

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Kite in the sky, GO!

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Hey, a seagull!

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Two seagulls!

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Many seagulls!

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Another beautiful sunset..

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Even when the sun hides…

That’s all. Now, on to the Summer!

Orion T

 

 

 

A Day of Scattered Blossoms.

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“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.

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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

Picture of Today 2/27/2017, Late Winter Jams..


The winter is still maddening for the Pacific Northwest, especially here in Seattle.

There was some rain, snow, and lightning. There was no order to any of it, just a jumble of madness. Some areas were moreso on the weathering than others. Meanwhile, the main roads contained a lasting standstill of heavy vehicle traffic jams throughout the day. The air felt chilled, unwarning of the sudden hail. The evening slush was plentiful throughout the Downtown area, with leftover snow scattered about. Now the near future weather is up in the air, with no promises of any tranquility. Carry a good umbrella and warm coat. 

– Orion T

Picture of Today 2/19/17, Life Puzzle..


“The experience of life that you and I have is pretty much a jigsaw puzzle in the box: Day-to-day experiences of disconnected pieces that don’t seem to justify the efforts we make each day.”

– Robert Adams, famed photographer.

Picture by me, Orion T

A Thawed Afternoon in Kobe Terrace Park

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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.

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– 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

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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…

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– Orion T

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

See the Black Squirrel…

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Here above is a squirrel in black, for which I have not seen this pigment until my recent visit to Vancouver. I watched them, and perhaps they watched me.

Their behavior differed a bit from the normal gray city squirrels of the Pacific Northwest US, of which I have seen around the University of Washington campus. The black squirrels seem shy to the cameras, and seemingly a bit faster and slightly smaller.

I learned through local folk and the googling, much about these squirrel mutagenic variants. Such are uncommon to see unless in some collective habitat (Midwestern and some Mideastern US, Eastern Canada), parts of the UK). However, I came across a gathering of many scuttling about through the center of Stanley Park, in Vancouver, Canada. Such are offshoots of the common gray and fox squirrels, leading to the darker gray to the very black. They can endure the cold weather better, and blend in with the dark. I heard these are not originally native to the Vancouver area but brought over some decades ago (possibly in 1914 according to one Wikipedia source), but I have yet to find the exact info.

Here is another one, living the simple life…

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and a short bonus video of more, recently put upon my Instagram (travelingorion, follow me there!).

I love squirrels 🙂

– Orion T

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

Embrace the Coldness…

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The above pic happened last week, on the New Year’s Day of 2017.

The waters are of the Vancouver Harbour, with the Lions Gate Bridge ahead, and the mountainous (and snowy at the time) regions of West Vancouver beyond, all in the wonderful British Columbia region of the Canada country.

But of the day and of fascination, is the lone woman taking a dip in the icy cold waters. I overheard nearby, she was practicing for some attempt at the world record for enduring the freezing water. I think it was 22 seconds, or around that. I didn’t get her name either.

But what I did learn later, was of the annual (97th) Vancouver Polar Bear Swim on the south side of Central Vancouver, at English Bay. Over 1,500 persons dived into the frigidness for a similar and shorter feat, where the waters temped at 7 degrees Celsius (44.6 Fahrenheit). I was a bit late for the main show, yet in time for leftover festivities. Here are some giving it a go.

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Overall, an exciting and notable day for many in 2017, a surely interesting year to come.

– Orion T

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