Wednesday, September 03, 2008

For Daniel Behind the Mountain



Photo & Text Copyright 2008 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

I got an email late yesterday afternoon from Daniel Keebler, who is a ranger with the National Parks Service on Mount Rainier. I became acquainted with him and his wife Jerri about 13 years ago through a phone call about our mutual appreciation for the music of Bruce Cockburn. He at that time edited a Cockburn newsletter, "Gavin's Woodpile," which he now has available as a webpage.

He signed his email yesterday "from the mountain." I'd been busy with work and errands indoors most of the day and I thought I would just go out in the yard and look toward Daniel on the mountain and connect with the outdoors for a bit, maybe give Daniel a wave "hi," (yes, I am that crazy ;^) ). My jaw dropped when I saw the mountain, it seemed to be magnified and towered above the city, crystal clear. I grabbed the gear and tried to think of the nearest unobstructed view that wasn't Kerry Park, site of yesterday's shot (I don't want to bore you with too many postcard shots, and I promise this will be the last for a long while). The sun was going down fast, so I hightailed it to this park we started using for barbecues and field games last summer. So, thanks to Daniel who is all the way on the other side of this scene for putting the idea in my head to look that way last evening. "Hi Daniel! Hope it was a great summer in the backcountry!"

31 comments:

Laurie Allee said...

That is a truly magnificent shot. What a mountain. And how cool you are to give this wonderful shout out to Daniel. I'm waving to him all the way from Southern California!

Jerez Sherry said...

Wow beautiful shot, just incredible, I just came back from visiting the Mountain Monday myself!
One day it was hidden all day, the next had some appearances.

Knoxville Girl said...

Boring postcard shots? Oh no, please disabuse yourself of that idea. This photo is quite inspiring! *waving to Daniel too*

marley said...

Wow! The mountain looks like its floating above the city. On a flypast!

Kris McCracken said...

The powerlines are always problematic, but it is a striking image.

Anonymous said...

That is a jaw-dropping-shot. Really a nice photograph. Imagine the people on the ferry looking up at that. Wow.

Anonymous said...

I've lived in Seattle my entire life and this is the best photo I've ever seen of "our" mountain.

Christy said...

this is an amazing shot, I LOVE it

Small City Scenes said...

Kim!! You stole MY MOUNTAIN! well it really isn't my mountain or so I have been told. It is closer to you than to me anyway. But isn't it a breathtaker anytime you see it. WOWEE!! MB

Katney said...

And yes, everyone, it is exactly like that. I have been to the mountain five times in August. On August 31, you would not have seen this view. We were at Sunrise being snowed upon. Of course, since we had to come home on Sunday it cleared up on Monday. We will be at Ohanapecosh for the week after next. Can't see the mountain itself from there, but the forest is awesome.

Wayne said...

Yaaawwwwn, another one of Kim's postcard shots.
Yeah, right!

Do people buy postcards any more? Beside that one with the three women......... never mind.

Jilly said...

Oh my! What a fabulous image of the mountain. Not surprised you went a bit doolally over it. I'd print it and frame it! Fabulous, Kim. And Hello Daniel!

D said...

That is AMAZING. I could never get bored looking at postcard shots as beautiful as yours. I envy your magnificent vistas.
(waves to Kim and Daniel)

Jim Klenke said...

A fantastic shot. I wonder how many people dont pay attention to the beauty around them.

jonb (juan grande) said...

A Favorite. Thank you!

Marcel said...

Wow! Superb shot!!!!

Linda Reeder said...

Im trying to decide why the mountain looks so big, looms so large. It must be the fog at the base. Amazing photo.

Chuck Pefley said...

That must be from Ella Bailey park? The mountain has been spectacular lately, hasn't it?

Maya said...

Awesome! I have yet to get a good shot of that mountain. I need different equipment for that!

Guy D said...

Fantastic photo, thanks for sharing

Cheers

http://reginainpictures.blogspot.com/

Coloradolady said...

Oh, my favorite so far today. Lovely shot. Breathtaking.

Photo Cache said...

what a towering presence it has on the landcape. fabulous capture. this is one place i so wanted to visit.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful - would there be something wrong if the photo were post-card worthy? I always take that as a compliment. Nevermind. Very nice.

Anonymous said...

You could call that the picture of a lifetime. Wonderful.

Leslie: said...

A jaw-dropping shot of Mr. Rainier! I wish I could get a decent shot of Mt. Baker, but it always seems like the sky isn't blue enough or the snow isn't white enough. *SIGH*

Oh well, come and see my simple little shot today over at my Photologue. :D

Tom said...

Wow... ha! Are mountains really that big? :O)
This is just awesome... I will be back again to see this I just know...
Tom

Laura ~Peach~ said...

I fail to see how anyone could get bored with these amazingly beautiful shots! Keep them coming:)

Unknown said...

Magnificent shot!

Arija said...

A truly magnificent catch as Mt.Ranier so often hides it's head.
What a great prompt you had indeed.

Unknown said...

What an incredible shot and mountain - just awe inspiring

Becky said...

I flew by this mountain yesterday, and it was just poking out above the fluffy white clouds. It was spectacular...nothing else was there. Just a sea of clouds and this magnificent mountain top. I love this mountain. You have a fabulous view of it.