Pest Season

It's enough to make me want to give up.  I looked out my window today, and here ensconced on the lawn, is the world's most realistic lawn ornament.  I'm sure he decided to take a rest in the middle of my newly refurbished and seeded yard after snacking on the daylilies that are just about to bloom--oh wait--make that WERE just about to bloom.  I took this through the window, not realizing that I could practically walk right up to him -- he didn't bother to move until I got within 10', and then it was just a slow unconcerned ramble.  I think I need to use that BB gun (and improve my aim!)

And, when he and his friends are decimating the garden, this little varmit and HIS friends are doing the same.  I just should've planted a buffet this year..   But, aren't those backlit ears cute?

Nursery Crawling

The weather has been so cold and rainy this spring that my garden is way behind the curve.  I've been nursery crawling just to see some blooms and color.

I love the contrast of the hot oranges and yellows against the cool silvery grey of the foliage.

And I just can't resist a calla....

Beach time

Owens Beach at Pt. Defiance Park was just what I needed...fresh sea air, a nice breeze, the sound of waves, great rock hunting, sailboats out on the Sound.  Only problem was way too many people out on the beach..if I'm shooting landscapes, I prefer not to have a mass of humanity in there.

Someone had been very industrious and creative with the old logs that wash up on the beach.  This was a great hideout, and drew every kid on the beach like a magnet.

A few sailboats were out taking advantage of the dry weather.  I wish we'd had blue skies, but I'll take dry!!

Barnacles covered everything on the beach.  This was the trunk of a downed tree that has obviously been on the beach for quite some time.  It was about 30 yds from the water, but the trunk, the root base, and several of the branches already were festooned with barnacles...indicating that the tree is below tide level, even that far up the beach.

I love seeing the trees that have had all the bark scoured off.  The patterns in the wood underneath that are revealed are so interesting.  All these swirls and curves and ellipses...who would've guessed?

And this guy---he was having SO much fun.  You have to love a Lab.  He brought his "stick" over to us to throw out--it was more like heaving than throwing.  He wasn't having anything to do with the wimpy little sticks that his owner kept trying to get him interested in retrieving.  "I'm a BIG dog, and big dogs need BIG sticks!"  He was so proud of himself every time he hauled this into shore...

A Touch of Japan

Went for a ride with some good friends this weekend, and we ended up down in Tacoma at Point Defiance Park.  Saw this little gem on our way down to the beach...

Oil Spill

Have you ever noticed the beauty in a few drops of oil mixed with rain?  This was underfoot in the parking lot at the library the other day.  I've always been fascinated by the way the oil mixes with the water and all these wonderful colors and abstract designs form.  Sometimes it pays to walk looking down, instead of straight ahead...

Mistbow

After weeks of rain and grey wet weather, we finally had a beautiful warm sunny day.  I drove over to the Falls yesterday evening to check them out; with all the rain we've had I knew they would be roaring.  I got there just at the right time of the evening--the sun was at the right angle in the sky, making this beautiful mistbow at the base of the Falls.  I would've loved to have gotten a shot or two from the lookout area at the base, but it and the hiking trail are closed for a major reconfiguration.  Drat.  Still gorgeous from any angle, though, and look at that blue sky!!

Just the Two of Us

Forty-four years of love, laughter and living.  This year would've been our 36th anniversary.  What a gift to have shared those years with you.  This separation is only temporary.

Our friend Rebecca at Ravissant Photography took these photos for us in February.  I am so glad that I asked her to do that.  Thank you, Rebecca, for these.  They make me smile every day.