Tag Archives: Seattle Center

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

Picture of Today 12/25/14, the Holiday Sky..

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Today was a nice gift..

Especially to the feverish and sickly ill in need of fresh air, like myself. The beautiful unique sky became a sight for healing to my congested soul. The overhead brought crazy color mixtures and fresh still air. The space between felt cold but not freezing (a manageable 41 degrees), and clean for this big city of Seattle. The streets were almost quiet, with barely any cars and occasional people walking about. The sound was still, except for some birds and the distant running giant fountain (and some Christmas music on the distant loudspeakers, mostly ignored).

I eventually found a nice chair, and empty table at an upper platform of this local Seattle Center Park (pictured above). Then, I sank deep within my heavy coat wrapped with a thick red wool scarf; then kicked my feet up for lost time, in the celebration of nothingness and continuation of healing. I watched the sky change until..

I had a visitor, another local traveler drop by. Hello..

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Pictures of Today 11/29/14.. of Snowy Awakenings.

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As I expected the usual to follow, I slept a longer on the night before. In the morning, I rested in bed for an hour longer; using my layers of blankets as a turtle shell. I procrastinate even further, prolonging my morning intake of granola and hot apple cider. My apartment window gives little clue to the world outside, as it faces too close to an emotionless brick wall. I suspected nothing, but a normal day. I wait, with holding onto my unexpectations.

Yet eventually, I would go for the great morning walk. And then, surprise… snow and cold winds overwhelm my senses as I leave the building entrance. And suddenly, there was laughter in the distance of children running in the distance. The bluest of skies, missed from the days of conquering greys. I see these remnants of a snowy wonderland, with the city gardenscapes and roofs of unmoved vehicles saving the last largest clusters of snowfall. I felt bewildered, and unadjusting to this sudden drop in temperature. I ask to the neighbor standing aside, puffing on a cigarette, “how long and how much did I miss this?!”

“All night, and some this morning..”

Heh, was all I thought. Not so much the disappoint as I rarely see snow; but I feel a sort of sureness of what world I would wake up to. The morning was almost gone, and snowfall clearly ended. But thankfully, there was much of it still around for me to take a very long and worthwhile walk.

The color of leaves and sudden rush of sunlight brought uniqueness to this morning. The snow was just enough for nature to peek through in places, bringing the a heightened ambiance and surreality to what I find otherwise usual and expected; yet peaceful and adaptive.

So, I am happy to catch this time and place..perhaps the most important potentially missed should I have stayed inside further on. Here are some moments to pass on, in thanks to this world for waiting up..

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Picture of Today 11/14/14

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I spotted this sweet Lamborghini on the way home. I am unsure on the model, betting it’s a very recent year. This dream machine was underneath Seattle’s Space Needle (notice the reflection), and quite the extra treat for passing tourists.

Here is the further away of that…

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Pictures of Today – the Unexpected Sunset

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Walking home, looking up in the sky..

And then, I think cool colors as I look up. But maybe I’ve seen all the sunsets in Seattle. That did not stop me from admiring the entire scene. Just let it sink in, I thought. But suddenly, rain! Yet, the sun is still out, giving the Needle a nice red hue as seen in the next pic.

Then, I reach home as the rain pics up. And then, the sky more so lit up with surreal hue mixtures. I rushed to the roof. Sadly, I do not have my regular lens handy, so I had to take the last shot with my iPad camera (then using a reduce noise effect).

Also, there was lightning a few times while I was taking the shots in direction of the sunset. Sadly, I missed that capture but hope someone else snapped this. Otherwise, I think I could mistake the entire vision for a passing dream.

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Picture of Today 3/16/14

The Seattle Space Needle on a rainy day..

From the sky to my feet.

Scroll down, all the way..

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It took a lot of tries to get this right.

That was a little vertical panorama experiment, using a special setting my smartphone’s camera app (Android, LG something something).

Someday, I would like to try this again with a better camera.

 

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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

Picture of Today 2/25/14

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I feel the changes, looking to the sky.

The clouds are thinning, dispersing. The blue is breaking out as the sunlight pierces. Below, the grass is more inviting, as I need to rest. My clothes are heavier, from the warming weather. Just days ago, the city had possibilities of snow, in addition to its long period of cold and rainy weather. For the while until much later, I think such characteristics will dwindle, along with those long nights.

Spring is coming. I can feel it.

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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 Day in Seattle (pics from days ago)

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Ah, fresh snow..

Enjoy more pics from Seattle’s snowy weekend.

This set, depicts the very quiet Sunday morning that followed after my previous post. These are from the Seattle Center park, with close proximity to the Space Needle landmark.

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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)

Seattle Space Needle Seahawks pride

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).

Photo Jan 12, 9 51 34 AM

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.

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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

Happy New Year’s, Seattle 2014

 

Happy New Year indeed, from the roof of my apartment building.

The fog came in very suddenly just before midnight and quickly intensified. This I think, made this fireworks show even more unique and memorable.

Seattle Fireworks 2014

The Seattle Center Holiday Lights..

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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.

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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

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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

Lending my eyes for a moment..

Howard Hill Studios

Finally, the monorail is here..

And I was thinking just that, holding still in this grand city of Seattle. I stood on a high concrete platform in the chilly weather, waiting with my arm raised up.

At least 5 minutes, I recall.

The building to my right is the Experience Music Project (E.M.P) and Science Fiction Museum. To my left and VERY close is the great Space Needle tower. The moment between them is worthwhile, but more-so for a faraway friend.

I did not shoot this picture, yet I was holding the “camera,”  lens through my smartphone.The shot was remotely capped by Howard Hill, my friend from 1300 miles (1800 km) away in the Los Angeles area. The shot occurred around noon during a lengthy Skype video chat, at a spontaneous moment within a long walk. All, a leisurely walk turned tour through the local area I currently live, a fun alternative to our traditional face chats in those boring enclosed spaces

I think, what a great concept this is.

Show your distant friends around the streets and expose them to your familiar life and adventures. A video chat within a walk can be exciting and fun, and enhance one’s view of the world beyond  familiar boundaries. The live commentary, and sudden directions from afar could also turn the familiar feet to expose new sights and discoveries.

Here below, is a another remote shot by Howard exhibiting the rising of Seattle’s Belltown area, from the roof of my apartment building. Behind me, is the Space Needle and the Queen Anne area, which follows in another shot at the end of this write-up.

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Howard applies the new modern communications to his own fantastic passion for photography. He uses the Skype software, with his own sharp eye to remotely capture and apply his own filters and style. Howard currently networks places of interest around the world, finding new subjects to feature (many of them are also models).

See more and follow Howard’s fantastic work on his own blog here –  howardhillstudio.wordpress.com/.

Howard Hill Studios

NOTE: Do not copy or use any of the images here or herein without written consent (contact Howard at howardhillstudio.wordpress.com for more information). © Copyright 2013 Howard Hill. 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