Richmond Beach Overlook

I went to the overlook at Richmond Beach, one day, recently, after work, to see the sunset and I was really surprised, for once, to find it mostly deserted. I whipped out my camera, as it is rare to find no one around the pergola. People seem to flock to it and the area directly around it. as bees to honey. The solitude there was very beautiful and soothing, with an undeniable air of mystery to add poignancy to the experience.

Pergola II
Here is an overview of the pergola and the view out to Puget Sound... 

Pergola Closeup II
I had a great time playing and experimenting with framing
and shooting different angles and details of the pergola
 with the beautiful view of the water to compliment it...

Pergola Closeup III
Another angle, as the light shifts and changes
 with the movement of the clouds and sun... 

Pergola Closeup VI
This is the kind of architectural theme that I love,
 and can get passionately involved in studying with my camera,
external structures made by human hands,
paired with Nature and natural light... 

Water View I
I love the dramatic contrast here, in shapes, textures, and light.
Nature is endlessly creative in Her timing, combinations,
intricacy, and expression. It is a continual inspiration
 and source of solace and reassurance for me..

Water View II
The water view, as the sun moves behind the clouds,
before its final bow of the day.

If you are feeling stressed, tired, in pain, or other malady of heart, body or soul, I cannot recommend strongly enough, step outdoors, and especially to a place where you can watch the sunset. It is good medicine. Some of the best.

Blessings,
Linda

Campus and Park Overlook: Storm and Sun

A few dreamy photos from a surreal afternoon when it was sunny and hailing at the same time, then sunny and raining at the same time. We certainly do not lack variety in Seattle, or in this case, the Shoreline area. These photos were shot on the Shoreline Community College campus and a public park about a 1/2 mile down the road, around 4pm in the afternoon.  

Dream Road
One of my favorite things to do is to get in the car
 and just go, with my camera at the ready.
This photograph was enhanced in Photoshop.
I like the painterly effect...

Dream in the Rain
I like the dreamy soft-focus effect here. The sky and light
 were dramatic, with sun and blue sky southward
 and dark clouds, rain, and hail from the north...

Glowing Trees II
Sunshine on the trees with stormy sky behind.
I love this kind of dramatic light. Everything glows,
as from within, and colors blaze forth.
My favorite photographing weather...

Storm and Sun Medley III
I liked the shapes in this tall, sentinel of a tree,
against the stormy shapes of the clouds

Storm and Sun Medley I
Horizontal version, with more emphasis on the cloud banks,
 above and below...

Thank you for looking! 

Blessings,

Linda

Volunteer Park Conservatory, Feb 5, 2012

I love the Volunteer Park Conservatory, and I was very distressed to find out that it is in danger of being closed, in these challenging economic times. The glass building dates back to 1912 and is a wonderful place to go and explore. There are 5 separate "houses" within the conservatory:  Palms, Ferns, Cacti, Bromeliads,  and the Seasonal Display House, with a variety of flowers.

Please go to http://www.volunteerparkconservatory.org/ to show your support for the Volunteer Park Conservatory.

The images below are just a fraction of the beautiful, intricate, and fascinating plants that can be viewed in person...

Sun Through Green

Blossom

Cacti I

White Icing

2 Leaves' White Icing

Red Heart

Glowing Veins

Leaf Lines

Spiraling I

Spiraling II

Intricacies in Red

Purple on Green

Cacti with Window

A shot each of the Cactus and Palm Houses:

Palm House

Cactus House

I hope you enjoy these images. There is always more to discover in Nature, even if it is inside of a greenhouse. Nature has personally given me solace and joy in its beauty, fascination in its intricacy and the deep inspiration of witnessing endless creative innovation. Through my walks in our parks, beside the water, and under the sky, I cannot help but feel the deep connectedness between all Life. I wish this solace and happiness for you, too.

Blessings,
Linda

Walk at the Golden Gardens Marina, Feb 4, 2012

February 4th was like a Spring day, here in Seattle. It was 60 degrees and sunny, a fantastic gift to those of us who endure a lot of grey, drizzly days in the Emerald City. I took a long walk, starting from the beach, past the pier where there are always people fishing, and the entire length of the marina. The round trip was 2 miles. I began about half an hour before sunset and finished up just before full darkness fell. 

Para-sailing into radiance...

Standing on the pier, I tracked the para-sailor's progress
past the breakwater and into the marina...

Sunset from the pier, with a sailboat and seagull in attendance...

I love it when the sky turns to fiery copper...

The reflections of the lines on the boats were so perfect and clear,
the water like glass...

After I got back to the car, I marveled at the beauty of the evening,
and had to get back out of the car again to take these shots...

A more intimate shot of the beautiful night, Rhapsody in Blue.

I hope these images lift up your heart and your spirit. Sometimes all it takes is to step outside of your door.

Blessings,
Linda

Architectural Elements & Influence

In going through my photographs in a search of images with an architectural element, for submission to the next issue of 1000 Words Magazine, I uncovered quite a rich variety of choices. I also became much more aware of what I am attracted to, what I notice, and what I am compelled to photograph, when it comes to things made by human hands.

 These photos all have an architectural element or influence, small or large:

Red Rust Keyhole
I love this ornate keyhole. It was on the door of a crypt at a cemetery...

Walkway
The rusted railing and the multi-textures of the concrete interested me.
I like the softening effect of the green bush as well. The black background is water...

Bridge II
I love these old fashioned street lamps, along with
the moss on the ornately detailed concrete bridge...

Based in Flowers
The contrast of living plants with human-made materials always
 interests me;  how they interact and compliment each other...

Lighted Stairway
Again, I love the relationship between the stairs and the lamp with the tree
that leans towards them. This spot has always seemed a haunting one to me.
I have been back several times...

Rust II
I love the bright green and orange tones here,
as well as the textural patterns of the rust, and the pattern of the pipes...

Wild Hearth
Another example of Nature taking back her own and creating beauty,
 even in the decay of human-made materials....

Living Flowers Room
A wide angle version of the same living room. You can really see how wind and weather
have broken down what used to be a home. It is still a home, only now it houses plant life and insects...

Beached
I posted this earlier this week, with my other snow images, but I think it fits here as well,
with the architectural theme.  Shot at twilight, this image has a haunting kind of quality to me...

Wrapping the Light
I love the way the branches are leaning in,
as if to warm themselves around the light

Pile Reflections IV
This one may be stretching my theme a bit thin, but these old
 pilings were once part of a dock or pier of some kind, and I love
their reflections here, on the water...

Macys Garage
I was intrigued to see a Macys shopping bag duct taped
to the door of this very old garage. Still wondering the purpose...

Fire Hydrant
Another image from one of my recent snow shoots. I would rather
see an old peeling fire hydrant with plenty of character and color
 than a shiny new one. Kind of eccentric that way, I guess...

Snow Block
The last of my snow shots to appear in this theme. I get lost in the
 interaction of snow, light, shadow, and textures here...

Young Girl Dreaming
Some would argue that this is statuary and not architectural, perhaps,
but I include her anyway, out of sheer love...

Trees & Steps
I love the interplay here between the lines of the stairs,
the vertical lines of the trees, and their shadows

Base II
One of several shots, as a study of architectural detail...

Base I
I like the way the corner of the base points down and left,
while the corner of the stone next to it points up and right.
One shaped by human hands, one shaped by Nature...

Base IV
Again, human-made and Nature-made reach out to touch and interact...

Sunset with Sentinels
Again, basic architectural elements stripped to their core by Nature.
I dearly love this image. It was my huge reward for waiting patiently
for the sun to emerge from a thick cloud-bank overhead just before setting.
Glorious.

I hope you have enjoyed these.

Blessings,
Linda