Last Mt. Rainier sunrise of 2010

Mt. Rainer was very visible this morning from Fort Ebey State Park, Whidbey Island.

Last Sunset of 2010

The sun has set behind the Olympic Mountains in this view from Crescent Harbor Road.  Thanks John K. for the great location.  I'll be back to this spot for more winter sunset pictures.

Last Olympic Morning of 2010

The last view of the morning light on the Olympics for 2010.  A cup of hot coffee, a picnic table at Fort Ebey State Park on Whidbey Island, and the towering Olympics.

An Afternoon of Whidbey Island Mountains

It was clear and crisp today so the mountains around Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island were particularly clear.  The nearly setting sun cast a violet glow on the Cascades.

Mount Baker also caught the sun's setting rays.

And to the south Mount Rainier appeared to be set on fire.

Why would anyone want to live anywhere else?

Cascade Mountains

Of course, the Cascade Mountains had to put on a good show this afternoon.

My morning walk

I took my camera along this morning so you can see what I see. I treasure the clear mornings as I miss Mt. Baker when it is cloudy.  These scenes are just a few blocks from where I live!

Roadside Photography

 I was a passenger on a road trip yesterday and I thought, why not?  It had been a while since I had snapped the shutter so took a few chances as the car sped along I-5.  It was a grey day and the trees were stark.

Sailboats on Cranberry Lake

These are the only form of motorized boats you'll see on Cranberry Lake.  What a relaxing hobby!

Reflection on Cranberry Lake

On a recent drive around Deception Pass State Park I noticed Cranberry Lake was like glass.  This is looking west from a little pull off right before the parking lot.

Cascade Mountains and their new coat of snow

This is why I live here.  This view is just a short walk for me.  I love the crisp mornings when the Cascades look so huge.

Baker's new coat of snow

This was Mt. Baker this morning from the Broadview Elementary School playground. 

Arctic Blast on North Whidbey

It's rare in Puget Sound, but it does happen.  Warm air from the south clashes with frigid air from the north and we have snow.  More frigid air from the north and it gets down to 14 degrees.  Of course, I have to venture out this morning ( a balmy 16 degrees) to get some pictures.

We only had about two inches of snow but the 40 mph winds created shear bluffs and canyons (all of an inch high and deep).

I love the early morning light and the severe shadows.  The deafening crunch of my hiking boots permeated the quiet.

The end of my morning trek yielded the view of Mt. Baker with its fresh coat of snow overlooking a quiet Oak Harbor.  Snow like this is so rare these winters the city pretty much shuts down. 

Fallen leaves on a fall day

Mushrooms of November

We had a wet fall and the mush- rooms are out in force. I am amazed at the various colors.







The mushrooms come in all shapes and sizes.

These are all ones I spotted on my regular morning walk of around two miles in circumference.

I am also amazed at how quickly they spring up,

and how quickly they are gone.

Pier 7 Glaswerks

A group went to Pier 7 Glaswerks in La Conner Saturday to "blow your own glass."  We had a great time!

These are some of the creations of owner Jeff, as shown in the gallery.

Color is added to the molten glass,

and then the glass is heated again.

More color can be added to ultimately add swirls to the color design.






The glass is then heated yet again.





 
Each of us was allowed to "blow."
Here I am adding my air to the expanding glass as owner Jeff does the shaping.




The glass is again returned to the furnace.
Jeff deftly creates a beautiful bowl.



A Christmas tree ornament could also be formed.

Jeff puts the finishing touches on our creations.







Pier 7 Glaswerks is in La Conner.  Their website is:
http://www.pier7glass.com/. 

You can go individually or as a group to blow your own glass.  You get to keep your creation, but you do have to return the next day to pick it up after cooling.

La Conner Heron

This heron was gracing the shores of La Conner the other day.

Morning Reflections

I was out a little after sunrise this morning to catch the light.  First I went to the west side of Whidbey Island. 

Then I went to the east side of the island, Penn Cove, with Mt. Baker in the distance.

Oak Harbor Downtown

I used to stroll the aisles of this long gone variety store.  The penny candy called to me.  This variety store had everything you could ever want...back in the 1950s.

A hidden treasure below the Pioneer Way shops.

Libbey Beach Bluff

When the weather is gray, what does a photographer do?

Head to the beach and try a study in lines and shapes!

These images are of the bluff at Libbey Beach, an Island Country Park.

October Spiders

Is it just me or are there more spiders than usual this fall?

The foggy mornings really help spot the webs. 

This must be prime property.  A spider high rise condo?  Are there spider real estate agents?