Here, an amazing view from high up my downtown Seattle metropolis, with a mix of dark and lights cloud tones, as peek sunshine and light rain dance slowly about. Meanwhile, the vastness of Elliot Bay provides a smooth, peaceful surface. The Olympic Mountains are beyond, hidden not quite ready to share the scene. I appreciate the moment in short, observing that trancing beauty echoed into future otherworldly inspiration.
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
I went for a walk this morning walk before the sunrise, after taking on a small errand delivery. Seeing the Moon shining bright and illuminated partially in the clouds, I remember it’s the Harvest Moon!
Yes indeed, this Harvest Moon was glorious with its heavy moonlight, enhanced by thinning clouds. Almanac.com best puts it, “The Harvest Moon is the full Moon nearest the start of fall or the autumnal equinox. This usually means it coincides with the September full Moon, though it can also fall nearer to the October full Moon, occurring anywhere from two weeks before to two weeks after the equinox.”
Because This Moon rises and sets close to the sun cycles, there is more moonlight. This helps the farmers with changes made during the Summer and Fall Seasons. Hence, the Harvest Moon name. The last Harvest Moon was in 2009. The next will be in 2020.
Overall, an awesome sight and reward for waking up earlier than usual. I took the above shot from Pier 66 on the Seattle Waterfront, overlooking Elliot Bay. the sunrise was also beautiful, of which I will feature in my next posting…
– Orion T
And finally the curtain closes, and the end of another long season is at hand…
What a memorable play thus far! Allow for a brief intermission, while we ponder the events of the past few months. Presidential primaries, transgender bathroom debate, tragic deaths, overhyped movies, unpredictable weather, TV season finales, the rise of VR tech, adult coloring books being a thing, and much more.
There is much to leave behind, as we look to the next act of this 2016 theater. I am on the edge of my seat!!
– Orion T
(Picture of above is from yesterday, from Edmonds (an hour north of Seattle), overlooking the Puget Sound waters.)
Back at Sculpture Park, here in Seattle…
I had an evening stroll, with some cold winter weather expected time of year. The day was clear at least, giving us the bluest sky throughout the day. But the temperature I think was in the low 30s. I stayed the hermit until I was hungry for some cheese and grapes. I made a detour to the market, feeling drawn to the fading light of Elliot Bay. Then, walked down to the water. Looking at the leftover sunlight, makes the distance so warming to the soul. I savor this until the last little light left.
Look at those colors..
Just another night in Seattle.
The view is always fantastic from Pier 66. And looking toward, I admire the fresh lights renewing life in the city, preparing for each unpredictable long fall night ahead. Behind me there sets the sun again, but never quite the same in sight as the other evenings. Here was that view, from the other direction…
I thought the evening could not get better than yesterday on the ol Seattle waterfront.
Yet, here I was..
But then again, yesterday was just as good.
Maybe tomorrow will be even better than these past two days.
Looking forward if so..
Here, is the view from the 40th floor of the Columbia Tower; the middle of the tallest building in downtown Seattle. There is a Starbucks here, open to the public during business hours. You can get a better view on the 76th floor (and very top) for a small price.
This was good enough, and relaxing for me. I was here for some hours working on a special project. The sunset was a great distraction.
Somewhere in Elliot Bay, the great Washington State.
Meanwhile above..some blue patches of sky, clusters of dark clouds take over as the yellow Sun sets. I feel the first raindrops, too soon.
…
Picture by Orion Tippens (taken from mobile phone). 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
A picture for today, from the south Puget Sound in Washington State. It’s not quite the morning, more of the noon as the low marine layer fog remains present for much of the day.
The birds, I have no idea on specifics. Their domain is a small platform surrounded by the water, marked many times by the feathered flyers around.
This shot, from the local ferry boat transit from the Fauntleroy, West Seattle Terminal to the Southworth Terminal, with Vashon Island as a stop in-between. I on some extra work for the ferry involving the collection of travel surveys, going back and forth for much of the day. I can’t recall which terminal was near, or what land is underneath that fog. I was very busy with the work, and enjoying the foggy exterior for that it was, not as much where.
And, I love photographing birds.
Starfish, through the clear waters below the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal pier in far West Seattle area. I notice by surprise, and quite huge, very blue or purple. Just look over the edge where the pier splits, and under the clear water on a quiet day. You may see them too.
I’m told these are purple according to some later research (I am a little color blind). Possibly these are pisaster ochraceus, or the Ochre sea star, also known as the Purple sea star.
I stare at the starfish while waiting for my transport to Vashon island. I see starfish as lazy creatures, with no patience because they wait for nothing. Here, they are likely safe from predators, meddling humans and their troublesome transports. I find amazing how their little underside can clench to almost anything that humans would find a struggling inconvenience. They simply stay, with no regard to gravity or the rising angles. In freedom, their habitat is grand, and most enjoyable for their brief 3-5 year lifespan. I imagine to be a starfish is like a day in the park, for the rest of your life.
Meanwhile, a morning of nothing else but the calm waters of Puget Sound’s Salish Sea. Then, back to the starfish. They now share a space with a lone friend, a crab. I never seen one cling to a pier like this. I can understand the ability of starfish, but how does the crab stay? See, at the water line..
I think again, what else am I missing out there and so near? Here below, holds much company within Washington State’s massive Puget Sound. I know further north to the San Juan Islands, orca killer whales are often seen. Someday, I am saving for special with a good zoom lens and proper time to see these wonderful creatures rise. I also hear of octopi and seals below these same waters. I have seen plenty of seals from my life most along the California Coast. But for the octopi, I wish to someday personally observe in their natural habitat. Somewhere out there, far below.
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 