Belltown alley spirits..
Picture by me.
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)..
Hello San Francisco!
Just a hallway stop, before my arrival in San Diego.
I miss the Bay Area. I grew up here, with many fond memories.
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.
Here are some pics of my brief visit to the annual Dragon Fest fair in Seattle, International District. I was trying out my new favorite lens (Canon 50mm f1.8 II)
Enjoy!
Almost below the Space Needle around 8:45 pm today..
But the best of Seattle today is behind the Needle, and all above. This evening sky is complex, yet beautiful. The temperature is a little windy, cool but not cold. We have had similar skies the last few evenings. Much to love with these Seattle skies; the more reason to stay outside a little longer..
I love a fun parade..
Especially one not pushed on by the big corporations, dominant messages of commercialism and shameless promotions. Also, there are no motorized vehicles, no animals, no company logos. Here, is the good ol Fremont Solstice Parade, in north Seattle. The annual event is produced by the Fremont Arts Council, with much funded support by the locals.
Check out some of the best of the parade below. I love the good ol fashioned big band music, the hand-pulled floats, the creative puppetry, dance numbers. All, very local and very friendly. At times (at least where I was, near the end with less people), some parade participants would surprise random crowd spectators with silly props, photo-bombs, and hugs.
I got hugged, twice.
Many naked, painted people on bikes rode by last weekend, adding tot he cheer to the new Summer Solstice. This was all part of a strange tradition of the great annual Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade. Here is more information from the wikipedia page:
“The event was started by streakers who crashed the parade. The first person to do so may have done so on a dare. Participants now emphasize bodypainting and other artistry. The group is the largest and fastest growing ensemble associated with the parade. The parade, put on by Fremont Arts Council, is held on a Saturday close to the actual solstice.”
Here is a grainy smartphone video I shot, just a minute of this full hour+ long happening:
Happy New Summer!
For many, the turn of season was happiest at the ol Fremont Fair, in northern Seattle. The day was sunny and the longest of all year (sunrise at 5:12 AM, sunset at 9:11 PM). Crowds of festive folk, parades, music, and deep fried anythings..everywhere. For me at times, I had to escape from it all, and rest here at Gasworks Park..the choice for peace and best view of the Lake Union waterscape.
Sometime, I went back for the local parade and the World Naked Bike Ride. I have pics, of which I will post soon..
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.
All in a good day, with extra special added to the established special..
This Memorial Day, I enjoyed the annual Seattle Folklife Festival, with a kaleidoscope and my cheap smartphone camera (and first posted on Instagram).
The festival was nice; a huge annual event in Seattle, where musicians of a humble variety performed in different spots all near (some on stage, rooms, sidewalks) and play for the cheerful gatherings. All free, and donation backed by sponsors and collected tips. I did not feel much on the picture-taking; just enjoyed the sounds with a preference for jazz and bluegrass. The passing time was best spent on the grass under a warm sun and cloudy sky. I would change spots; with some engaging casual conversations with strangers, light writing, consuming sugary deep friend confectionaries and playing with my kaleidoscope.
Good times..
Movin along..
… 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
We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.
– John F. Kennedy
… 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
I found a whole new world..
around the corner, in a park.
It was always there..
I just had to notice.
I can never resist a gathering this colorful.
And here, was the Sakura Con; a gathering of a different sort than yesterday and day before’s NorWesCon. This event focused more towards the appreciation and partaking of Japanese anime and manga. Much of the action was inside the convention center, where the event was centered. However, the heavy rains of the last days finally stopped. Many attendees came out the open behind the convention center, to enjoy the sun and surroundings of each other.
Above, is a Sakura Con tradition continued; where many gathering in a circle whole other participants each kick a bottle and eventually have it spun to a someone connecting the circle. That person soon gets a hug from the bottle kicker, and replaces the other..to continues the cycle.
Also, there some dancing, posing for cameras, and more fun-having.
Here are a few pics..
I’ll post more up, another day..
I took a wrong turn..
Not a bad thing, as I love new sights. This time, walking through the neighborhood of Meadowbrook, within the Lake City area in the distant northeast region of Seattle.
Here is Meadowbrook Lake, along Thornton Creek, in what used to be a sewer treatment plant from decades ago. Now it’s reverted somewhat to it’s natural state with the help of locals, over the years. You will see and hear a large variety of birds (many waterfowl) along the peaceful water body. You can stroll across the various walkways and come across some puzzling deco art, like in the above picture.
It’s a nice place..
… 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 best sign of the fresh Spring..
These Yoshino cherry trees, are scattered throughout the Seattle area. Now, they are full and amazing. This is a nice reward to us locals for putting up with the plentiful showers of early March. Now, the weekend weather is grand and sunny. Many cherry trees, you can easily find Downtown, International District, Capitol Hill and the neighboring regions throughout.
Perhaps the best place to see an organized assembly is here, at the University of Washington, in the center Quad. The weekends are best for non-students. The blossoms are at their peak in late March, early April.
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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
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Under the great Pike Market of Seattle, inner Post Alley…
You may notice ever-changing art; boggling and fantastic, ugly and beautiful.
Behind and further down, there is an entire wall of chewed bubblegum built over the past decades (pics for another day on that). Tourists tend to focus their attention towards the gum, while I feel this is more deserving of such appreciation.
The Seattle Space Needle on a rainy day..
From the sky to my feet.
Scroll down, all the way..
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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The name of that horse is Charlie.
I didn’t get the name of the policewoman, who was very nice. Together, they are part of Seattle’s police department’s Mounted Patrol Unit. This local mounted police force have been a part of the Downtown watch for over 100 years. Currently, the cost and existence of Seattle’s mounted police unit are supported by charitable donations from the Seattle Police Foundation and the Seattle Hotel Association.
… 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
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
Some happenings..
A little late last night, in the lower Queen Anne district of Seattle.
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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
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.
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…
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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.
Snow in Seattle..
A grand surprise for this interesting city. As snow is often in th near mountian regions, but only hitting the city lowlands once a year, maybe. For days, the local weather reports downplayed the plausibility of sticky snow. Yet, here we are; along with Portland and the rest of the northwest.
The snow fell yesterday morning, hitting hard and fast. The temperature was a steady cold (30-40 degrees), typical of the deep winter for Seattle. The morning, light snowflakes from the many trees and tall structures about, floating down.
Very pretty.
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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.
12th Man Victory!!
The Seattle Seahawks crushed the Denver Broncos 48-8 in tonight’s grand Super Bowl football championship. The fans took to the streets, chanting SEAHAWKS!! SEAHAWKS!! SEAHAWKS!! Constant cheering, high-fiving, cars honking, joints smoking, crowd surfing, flags waving, police nervous, and all good for the home team.
.
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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
Unrequited love..
Sigh.
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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
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.
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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
Good choices in life..
Especially at Pappardelle’s Pasta stand inside the great Pike Market of Seattle; where one may sample a dip from assorted balsamic vinegars, or buy at $10-$18 a bottle. Flavors include Blackberry Ginger, Chocolate, Modena Barrel-Aged, Pear Lime & Cinnamon White, Raspberry and Vanilla Fig.
Also, Pappardelle’s offers a fine selection of uncommon pasta noodles. Try the chocolate flavored!
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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
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.
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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
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