river magic

The river is magical.
I take pictures because I can't find the words.
There are ripples and textures like a painting.
Always changing, never the same.
The water mirrors the sky above, and the trees on the other side...

river mirrorriver edge rippletopsy turvyriver mirror 2duck patternskaleidoscopeand looking up, bare branches...

every day is different

my walks are routine
but every day is different
the colors and textures are always new

morning river reflectionsunrise roadmorning sunlit trees

morning sun walk

After three days of no morning walks, it felt good to get out there. Cold red nose and all.

rainy morning

rainy windshield 1rainy windshield 2
rainy morning walker 1rainy morning walker 2
wet leaf transitions
window self portrait on wet morning 1window self portrait on wet morning 2

I saw a bumper sticker yesterday - "Bluegrass Festival, Darrington, Washington 2005". I remember driving my old Ford Econoline to that festival sometime in the mid 80s, opening up the back doors, and selling my wooden boxes. There were a lot of good craftspersons showing their wares, the music was fun, and there was some good food. The food concessions contract went to a local motorcycle gang, and that was interesting. Lots of leather jackets and bandanas. Towards the end of the day, we craftspeople did some bartering, and I remember trading for this beautiful handmade leather backpack, and an assortment of ceramic and porcelain wine goblets. All in all, a good day.

Images from: http://greatnorthwest.info/2008/07/15/darrington-bluegrass-festival-july-18-20/

Boeing 787's first test flight

I just watched the takeoff for the Boeing 787's first test flight on TV. It took off from their Everett facility 30 miles north of Seattle. It'll be up in the air for 5 hours or so on this first flight, and it's landing down at Boeing field not far from our house. Being a Seattlite, and even after all of the delays and obstacles, this is exciting. I might try to find a spot down there and watch it land.
The photo is from komonews.com.

mental calisthenics

chasing Now

cutting ties to the past

pushing away images of the future

wrapping my arms around Today

All of the shots in today's post were taken along the Green River this morning. You can see the textures and lines better if you click on the photos and make them larger.

driving Nate to school this morning

ice crystals? on the windshield

sunrise on the way to school



later, on my walk: river snow and heron

I don't want to walk in the cold today. 19 degrees last night, and yesterday morning's walk was difficult. I was hoping I wouldn't see something that begged to be photographed, and I had my hands jammed into my pockets. I knew my fingertips would turn into icicles as soon as I took out my camera. I did anyway, and I didn't even get anything worth showing. And my fingertips turned into icicles.

Later - I decided to go walk today anyway, and I think it's the first time I've seen ice floating in the Green River...

a few more "textures" photos - moss...

cracks along the walkway

misty morning sunshine

frosty leaves

standing in front of fireplace
cold december morning

scraping ice off windshield
driving son to school

walk along the river

the river
always the same
and always changing

there's something special about the river
even on a cold gray day

frosty maple leaf morning

Driving up Admiral Way in W Seattle last night, I saw a bunch of people lined up along the viewpoint park, cameras and big lenses galore. I stopped and took out my little Casio, and got the following shot of downtown Seattle with a full moon. Although I have camera envy? sometimes, I like trying to capture some of the wonderful things my eyes enjoy...

sunrise building