When in Staunton, I always like to visit the train station and have a look at the fences that keep people out of the path of the train. While these are not ornate, they are interesting and, combined with the afternoon shadows, they make nice compositions. the partially open gate seems to suggest that it is time to board and adventure lies ahead.
Back in mid-February, when the trees were bare and the air was crisp, the cardinals were gathering out behind the house in Staunton. Since last fall I updated my telephoto lens from a 100-400mm to 150-600mm, I took this opportunity to test it out.
Sometimes times the most memorable things are the small things that we pass everyday. Often, when I look at a fire hydrant on the street, they stand out to my eye as this one does in this image. The bright red stands out against a much more drab background and becomes the focus of attention.
So, in January we headed back to Staunton for a nice long visit. While our friends Steve and Renee headed off to London for the semester, we took care of their two cats. This gave us a nice extended visit to see friends and revisit old memories.
Above is some stairs on the Mary Baldwin campus looking across Fredrick street toward the First Presbyterian church.
Part of what makes these old cars fun is that the owners have decided to paint them a color they would never have been when new. Pre 1960 or so, cars were largely black or a dark color (dark green, brown, or possible blue). Of course, there were a few cars that had some color, but never candy apple red.
In the soft embrace of a luscious field of wheat, stands a delapidaged barn. Standing as a marker of times, people, and things long past.
Even though there are plenty of dead people in the local cemeteries, life abounds here. We were surprised to see an immature pheasant walking along the roadside.
Storage comes in many forms out in this vast farmland. Here we see a barn with 12 sides and (apparently) 36 windows. Not sure who would work so hard as to put that many windows in a barn, but here we are.
When looking out from the hill we are on, there are some directions where it is really difficult to find a house. There are one or two, and a few places with trees that might hold some more, but it really seems to be just endless fields or wheat and legumes.
We start today with a comparison. Above is a view rendered in B&W.
The combination of the green/yellow and the brown/yellow colors make these fields endlessly interesting.
While I am quite sure that the spring time with green fields and blossoming flowers has a totally different appeal, in the August harvest time, this is a place dominated by color and texture.
The areas not planted in wheat are small and reserved for homes an equipment storage. The trees huddled around the houses remained us that the winter here can be harsh and any shielding from the wind and snow is a big help.
One of the highlights of this trip was our visit to Steptoe Butte State Park. Apparently for no reason, a mountain rises out of the vase plain of rolling hills and provides a grand view of the region.Even though there are fires in the general area, the smoke is not too bad and we can see a fair amount.
These old buildings are a treat for photographers. There is plenty of angles to view, and shapes and textures to explore.
There is a lot that is old in the Palouse and plenty that is new. This old barn is filled with new art, new crafts, and new efforts of expression by the locals.
I decided to try something new. I joined a photowalk I found online that wandered a bit around the southern, more industrial section of Seattle. Since this part of town is south of the Seattle Kingdome, the sports arena for the Mariners and Seahawks, it is commonly refered to as SoDo (south of the dome).
On a warm day this looks quite inviting. However, let me warn you. A dip here is not for the feint of heart. This is very cold mountain water flowing here.
The beauty of the rose flower and the threat of the rose thorn always come together.
After lots of eagles and herons eating fish, I thought you'd enjoy a few days of color from local places in Snohomish. These are some of the flowers from around our neighborhood in the spring of '24.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we live in a temperate rainforest. The near constant rain from November to May or June, means that everything from the roofs of houses to the limbs on trees are upholstered with moss and lichen, and the understory is carpeted with ferns.
Our friend from the last posting that seemed in a hurry to escape from a raven, was not actually the goal of the raven's flight. He was just passing through. Yet, the eagle still seemed pissed that he has to deal with the interloper at all.
Circling for a landing, this eagle is eyeing a good spot for lunch. Apparently, the service is pretty good and the price is right.
We see our pugilistic friends in the background as the local stakeholders sit and watch, "ain't none of my business!".
Eagles, like all other wild animals, work hard for a living. As these birds approach maturity, their battle wounds begin to show.
Perhaps because the fish are more active, the eagles got more active as the day went on.
The herons have found a place that suits their hunting style and their apparent desires to pose for the camera.
There are plenty of hungry birds out here and many are quite successful fishers.
It is not surprising that the herons, with their long bills, are successful fishers.
The roadway by which I stand crosses the stream that all the birds are focused on. On one side is the Hood Canal and on the other is a small pool that the herons seem to like quite alot for their fishing endeavors. the fellow above is using his wings to shade the water’s surface so he can see the fishes underwater better.
My first eagle in flight on this trip. It is not terribly sharp, but it is start.
ONe almost gets the feeling that this eagle is trying to stare me down. However, I am standing on the verge of the road with dozens of other photographers and traffic that keeps going by. I’m pretty sure there are other things besides me, trying to stand still and quite, for him/her to be checking out.
I certainly would not want to meet this guy in a dark alley. Or a lit one either.
This fellow sweem to have caught a large fish of some sort and put on the beach to eat at his leisure.Notice that the beach here, like much fo the beach around here is covered in shells.
Every spring, there is a small fish called a midshipman that breeds in the Big Beef Creek near Seabeck WA. This is on the Kitsap peninsula where the creek empties into the Hood Canal. In May-June each year these fish move from the creek into the canal and this requires that they swim through some shallow water along the entrance to the tidal canal. This in turn, attracts hungry birds, especially bald eagles.
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Not far south of Seaside is the popular Cannon Beach. It is famous for the sea stacks and the sandy beach. The town is a real tourist attraction with all the trappings.
