If Looks Could Kill, Right?

The Bald Eagle must have one of the most intimidating looks in the animal kingdom. They certainly look like, "all business".

What A Stir This Little Creature Made This Year

This year, the state of Washington was treated to an invasion, as it were. The Snowy Owl usually spends it's life north of the boarder, but this year the Arctic bird has been seen from the coast of Washington across the lower 48 states. Thousands of the Snowy Owls, known as an irruptions, are gracing our land.

A Golden Eagle Up Close

The bird's of the Northwest are very rewarding to capture with the camera. This past weekend was spent traveling around Western Washington. Eagles were high on my list of subjects to photograph.

Fascinating Creatures, Aren't They?

Today was a day for the animals. The next few days will be filled with images of the creatures of the Northwest.

Katie Wanted You To Know . . .

That she just completed 100 days in Kindergarten. Her first year of school is flying by. Thought you should know.

Tidal Marsh Fisherman

This fellow agreed to stay very still while I took his portrait. It was particularly hard because he was fishing when I came along, I knew his mind was somewhere else besides vanity.

Sometimes Photography Is Capturing Another's Dream

This drawing was made by my five year old daughter. The drawing was made unassisted by others. Katie brought the finished product to her mother and me. A timeless piece of art, if I am allowed to say so. I digitized Katie's drawing and therefore I am claiming this version as a photo of her original.

Which Building Is The Smith Tower?

Growing up in the Seattle area was a wonderful experience. I was thrilled the day my dad took me to the top of the Smith Tower. At that time, the Smith Tower was the tallest building on the west coast, north of San Francisco that is. Can you identify the Smith Tower?    (answer: the white building with the pyramid shaped Gothic cap, on the viewer's right.)

A Primative Urge

I had already gone to bed, was trying to fall asleep when I realized that the brightness coming through the window was the disturbance. I looked outside and discovered that the full moon was the brightness. At that point, I had to get dressed and grab my camera gear and head outside. Some people think photography is an addiction.

Nearing Tipsoo Lake

Yesterday's post spoke of Tipsoo Lake. This is an image as seen approaching Tipsoo Lake. Located on the Naches Peak Loop near Mt. Rainier. The loop trail leaving Tipsoo Lake meanders through meadows that offer some of the best views of Mount Rainier found anywhere.

Just Below A Section Of The Wonderland Trail

A very popular mountain lake is Tipsoo Lake. This is not Lake Tipsoo and is seen by fewer visitors. I only mention this fact because I too visited Lake Tipsoo many times before I looked across the road and over a ridge. This is now one of my favorite mountain lakes. Very relaxing.

On Autumn Pond

I have to admit, I struggle with this image. I think working with a painter's touch might add to it. Any idea's from my viewers?

Avoiding A Winter's Storm

This photo was taken during a winter's storm. I, of course, was dry and in an aquarium store.

From A Tropical Sea

Aquariums must contribute to the lowering of most human's blood pressure. I know I get lost in the happenings of the tank. This is a Butterfly fish that came from some tropical sea of our world.

It's In The Details

When the snow melts and I start hiking in the Cascade Mountains, one of the first details I look forward to seeing  is the Trillium wildflower. This little flower has been used  for medicinal purposes throughout the ages. But that fact is for another story. I just like to look at them in the spring.

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue . . .

I like this image and I sure LOVE you.

A Rainy Day, I'm Out To Play

It was a drizzly day. Not that it was going to keep me inside. In the Northwest there are many days that include a little drizzle. Should I have missed this scene?

photo taken at:  Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

I Keep Telling Myself, "Spring Will Arrive"

It's about this time every year that I start to long for Spring to arrive. I want to see the wildflowers, the deep blue mountain lakes and the scent of the trees. Looking at this image of Hidden Lake in the Mount Rainier area helps me to be patient. I'm sure Spring will eventually arrive.

Getting Ready For The Race

Emerald Downs Race Track. The 2012 Season starts April 13th! Is it good luck to start on a Friday the Thirteenth?

A Lucky Bird

This Black Bird has a story. It was struggling for life when a kind woman offered the bird part of a burrito. The bird ate it, as if it hadn't eaten in days. The Black Bird recovered and befriended its Good Samaritan. Every day from that day forward the woman was visited by the "Lucky Bird". This chain link fence was always their meeting place.

Not "On Walden Pond", But I Thought of It That Way

Generally speaking, a photographer looks for a "Gorilla" in a scene. What I mean by that is, there should be an object in the image that immediately commands the focus of the viewer. This image doesn't have that quality, but it does have a sense of tranquility and I'm fine with that.

The Backside of Seattle

I was looking for night photography sites on a recent scouting trip to Seattle. I think, when I return at sunset, that this view will be interesting. I'll present this scene as a night shot after I've taken that trip. I think of this view as the backside of Seattle because the outstanding landmarks, like the Space Needle or shooting the water front from Alki Beach, Union Bay or Queen Anne hill get most of the photo attention.

A Little Garden Serendipity

I trust that this image comes as a pleasant surprise. We, being in the midst of winter can always use an unexpected cheer up.

A Math Equation, Really?

I went to a car show and I thought that this old, tired jalopy would make an interesting subject. Although I liked some of the parts of the vehicle, I didn't care for the images of the vehicle as a whole. Then I remembered the math equation, "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts". What to do? I got it, a collage. . . . No this is not a 7up commercial.

What Are You Looking At - Jack?

This geese wasn't quite comfortable having it's picture taken. Can't win them all.

A Path Less Taken

This image was taken at Camp Sheppard, off the 410 Hwy, in the North Cascades near Mt. Rainier. A treasured hike.

Snow Soccer Anyone?

I don't know how she could have missed the kick. She had her eyes on the ball, she made a good kick. Must have just sliced it a little. Oh, I sound like a soccer mom, I mean dad.

Winter Scene, Off Hwy 18

A shot I had to stop and capture. I was traveling on Hwy 18 and I passed this winter scape. I found a side street and climbed through the wooded, branch filled highway border. It is an image I enjoy looking at often.

Why Would You Do It?

I can almost hear you ask, "why take a photograph of a dilapidated building"? Answer: because it was there, of course. No that wasn't the reason. The real reason was because I needed an object to practice HDR post processing techniques. The camera can only capture so much range of lights and darks in an image. To capture what the human eye can see, the photographer sometimes needs to take multiple images. Each image taken at a different exposure. The collection of exposures are then blended together to present a fuller range of lights and dark detail in the photo. Aren't you glad you asked? Oh, HDR stands for High Dynamic Range.