On Our Way to St. Paul's

Here's the backside of the Mary le Strand as we walked on down the Strand.

Off to London!

Once our house sit in Staunton was over, we left directly for Merry Ole England and a house sit there. The remodeling work on the house in Snohomish started later than expected and so we out exploring while we wait.

No visit to the big city is complete without a stop at the Borough Market. It has changed a good bit since we were there last. It is still great, but there is a slicker feel to it. Not quite so quintessentially English, rather more like a place designed for tourists. And it is still very busy.

Thornrose - II

It usually the case that in smaller cemeteries, the statuary is molded cement. The icon above is an exception. This marble statue of an angel is nicely done. While it is not on par with many of the statues to be seen in Europe, it is a very nice addition to this city cemetery.

Thornrose Cemetery

One of the tings that you see routinely in older cemeteries are graves with much more detail than is typically put on a grave marker in modern times. The one above give the age at death right down to the day.

More of the Hawk

When you are watching something you don't see everyday, you tend to take a lot of repetitive photos. That's what happened to me with this hawk. I kept thinking that he's do something... groom, spread his wings...something more interesting that just sit there.

Red-Shouldered Hawk

Naturally, while in Staunton I made a pilgrimage to the Thornrose Cemetery. And what do I see there? A Red Shouldered Hawk! he posed on a nearby tree for som time and gave me a chance to get a few images.

A Few Things Around Town

Close to the wharf in Staunton is an area beside/behind a building that appears to be a spot where workers take a daily break. Or perhaps it is where the night crowd hangs out to party.

Wandering Staunton

My apologies for not posting on Monday. This last week was and Monk from TV might say, a blessing and a curse. For the last week I have been recovering from the removal of all the kidney stones that have accumulated over the years. I am lightly glad that these are gone. Now I don't have to worry about one deciding it wants to move around while I'm traveling in some place where I don't speak the language and/or has limited hospital facilities.

So, back to business... In Staunton, many of the buildings still have the old fire escapes complete with pull down ladders. This one on the central Avenue side of the Worthington Hardware across Beverley street from the Clock Tower is a dandy.

Scenes Around Town

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.

Cardinals in Winter

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.

Small Things

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.

Back in Staunton

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.

Old and New

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.

Annual Car Show in Snohomish

In late September every year, Snohomish has a car show. 1st street is blocked off and people bring their restored cars from all around the area to put them on display and, hopefully, win recognition in their corner of car/truck style/age.

An Old Barn

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. 

Yet, There is Lots of Life Here

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.

Another Glimpse of the time Washington was Becoming a State

it is always the case that those who dies on the frontier include children. this child, perhaps, died of an illness we routinely treat today. Or maybe it was a snake or the kick of a horse. Life was hard.

Storage

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.

Technology on the Landscape

In addition to the endless plane and textured hills, we do find a bit of technology standing tall. There is a  wind farm sharing space with the wheat farm.

In Some Directions, the Houses are Few

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.

An Expansive Place of Endless Work

We start today with a comparison. Above is a view rendered in B&W.

The Rolling Hills

 

The combination of the green/yellow and the brown/yellow colors make these fields endlessly interesting.

Colors and Textures

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.

Life on the Plains

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.

Steptoe Butte State Park

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.

Lots of Old

These old buildings are a treat for photographers. There is plenty of angles to view, and shapes and textures to explore.

Views of the Old and New

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.

Exploring the Palouse

so, near the river named Paqlouse, is a very small town of the same name. This las lead to the entire area being referred to as the Palouse generally. This area is known for the vast wheat and legume fields. Nearly all the the lentils in the US come from this region.

The barn in the background is now a showplace/store for regional art. So, to sort of "show off their wares", the fence outside is made from the remains of old farm equipment, mostly the wheels.

Is it clear that there are lots of wheeled contraptions that have been used up out here. Lots of fossil wheels from the last 175 years or so.

 

Palouse River and Falls

In an event some 13,000 years ago, this water fall was created on the Palouse river. the Palouse falls and river are now part of the Palouse State Falls Park and Heritage Site found in the southeastern corner of Washington.

A Little More SoDo

I frequently complain, in person if not on this blog, that getting photos in the PNW is fraught with the lack of vantage points. With very few exceptions, everything is covered with trees. Very tall trees. When there is a break in the trees that allows you see the mountains or the fields, it is either because there is an often busy road there or there are power lines. Or both.

A SoDo Photowalk

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).

More Creek Scenes

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.

Olny Creek

Out near the Spada reservoir is a creek that flows into the man made lake, olny creek. I've been here before and I find shooting here to be fun and relaxing.

Small Flowers in Large Bunches

 

Sometimes each flower is small but they arrive in large gatherings making a grand display.

More Color and Textures

 

The beauty of the rose flower and the threat of the rose thorn always come together.

Flowers and Colors

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.

More Forest-y Bits

The forests can feel more encapsulating when seen in B&W. the contrast is lowered and the scene is darker.

PNW Forest

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.

Eagles and Trees

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.

From the Eagles' Point of View

Circling for a landing, this eagle is eyeing a good spot for lunch. Apparently, the service is pretty good and the price is right.

Eagles Everywhere

We see our pugilistic friends in the background as the local stakeholders sit and watch, "ain't none of my business!".

Survival of the Fittest

Eagles, like all other wild animals, work hard for a living. As these birds approach maturity, their battle wounds begin to show.

Eagles on the Wing

Perhaps because the fish are more active, the eagles got more active as the day went on.

A Busy Time of Day

The herons have found a place that suits their hunting style and their apparent desires to pose for the camera.

Teach a Bird to Fish...

There are plenty of hungry birds out here and many are quite successful fishers.

Successful Fishers

 

It is not surprising that the herons, with their long bills, are successful fishers.

Meanwhile, Back on the Canal Side

This heron is trying to land in what is clearly a good spot. He knows it is good sopt because all his friends are there.