Seattle Daily Photo: February 2010

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Time Away

Yesterday I got away with friends to a lovely spot on the Eastside of Lake Washington and had a wonderful, restorative, do nothing "productive" kind of day. I was surprised to come upon these rocking chairs on a dock with a Seattle city view. It was raining lightly, but I was too charmed to go indoors. Below is the view of the ~~south~~ north tip of Mercer Island and the tall buildings of the Seattle skyline beyond that in the center.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Crew & Kayak

The University of Washington Women's crew team was out training, heading northeast, while a kayaker was paddling southwest on Lake Union. This goes out as a shout out to Becky of Bozeman Daily Photo, a great athlete and fine crew member! Hope everyone gets to enjoy some outdoor R&R this weekend.

Thanks to Judy for becoming the 333rd follower in Google friend connect (you can view it over there in the sidebar). There have been 314,625 distinct visitors to SDP from over 150 counties since I started posting one photo a day from the Emerald City of the Pacific Northwest in July 2006. It makes my jaw drop to read that currently there are 2650 folks subscribed to the blog's RSS feed, and an additional 300-400 visitors drop in daily. I've made some wonderful friends in near and far flung places and been exposed to so many wonderful people and cultures as a result if these amazing connections here. Thank you, thank you, thank you for how enriching you've all been to my life!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Skywatch Friday: Ravenna Neighborhood Skies

Rain heading our way as seen in the cloudy skies over Seattle's Ravenna neighborhood, to the north of the University of Washington. To see what skies are like in places near and far, check out Skywatch Friday.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Ravenna Park

A 100 foot deep ravine snakes through the northeast Seattle neighborhood known as Ravenna. I took a walk in Ravenna Park today, following day-lighted Ravenna creek and some winding footpaths. When you get below the rim, you don't realize you are in the middle of a residential neighborhood. It is an instant escape. Right now it is damp and cool and mossy, with spring bloom and leaf buds just emerging. . .mosquitoes, too! I wanted to show you the 20th Ave NE Bridge (sometimes called Ravenna Park Bridge). Designed by J.R. Wood & Co. and built 1914, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a lovely vintage iron bridge which has carried no car traffic since 1975, just pedestrians and bikes. Someone out running their dog came up the path toward me as I was trying to shoot the bridge in the distance. More shots at More Seattle Stuff.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

iPhone Wednesday #32: Hoop Dancers

I was strolling the Fremont Sunday Market and noticed these hoopsters spreading some smiles. It wasn't until I pulled the shot into one of the iPhone editing apps that I noticed the cross in the street surface, reminding me of the 40 day Lenten path many people of faith are walking metaphorically from last Wednesday through to Easter. It's my iPhone Wednesday shot for you where the photo and editing are done in phone with one or more of the dozens of available apps. To see a few other variations of this shot using other apps, check out my Flickr page. Joining in with iPhone Wednesday shots this week are Petrea at Pasadena Daily Photo, Ming at Bangor Daily Photo, and Chuck at One A Day - Mostly Seattle.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

New Amazon.com Headquarters Going Up

I thought you might like to see the current construction progress going on in a neighborhood that has had quite a rapid infrastructure and skyline face lift over the past five years. Amazon.com's new world headquarters is under construction in the Cascade / South Lake Union neighborhood (read all about it here). You can see a great deal of it rising in the background to the left. The campus, comprised of up to eleven new buildings and open public spaces will span a four city block corridore between Terry and Boran. The first two of six phases were to be completed for occupancy by the middle of this year, with the entire campus being completed and occupied by 2012.

Changes are also coming for the historic Naval Reserve Building seen prominently on the waterfront of this shot. In 2012 the Museum of History and Industry will move from its current digs in the Montlake neighborhood to these restored and refurbished new digs around which the new Lake Union Park has been built. The grand scale, long-term changes to make it possible for the Cascade / South Lake Union area to support a thriving and inviting bio-tech and high tech business hub seems to be heading for the home stretch now.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Seattle Skyline from Dr. José Rizal Park

Seattle Skyline from Dr. Jose Rizal Park

Here is a morning view from the northwest end of Beacon Hill at Dr. José Rizal Park. This park and the nearby Doctor José Rizal Bridge built in 1912 honor the memory of the famed Filipino patriot. Over 30,000 Seattle area residents are of Filipino heritage, and this park with one of the city's most spectacular overlooks has strong associations with the Filipino American community here. The mosaic you see in the foreground and below is titled East Is West. One can look through shaped spaces in the mosaic which frame the skyline view. It was created by the late Seattle University art professor Val Laigo. This post goes as a shout out to lovely Hilda of My Manila Daily Photo, one of the friendliest bloggers on the planet whose great coverage of the Manila metro area is a real treat for all of us in the City Daily Photo Blog community.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Four Towers

As promised yesterday, here is the view further south along the shore of the Westlake neighborhood and the east side of Queen Anne Hill. There are three prominant broadcast towers on the hill and I think you recognize the fourth tower on the left :-). The lighted outline of the houseboat/floating home used for the film Sleepless in Seattle is in the shot below to help you locate it in this shot. This shot is straight out of the camera with a ~~50mm 1.2 lens that seems to always catch awesome light and color for me.~~ Ooops, I mispoke, this was actually a 24-70mm lens.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Pretty Lights of Westlake & Queen Anne Hill

Taking in the last of the evening light after another sunny day, looking at the reflections from lights along Westlake and Queen Anne Hill. That shore is home to several marinas and houseboat/floating home communities, as well as some great restaurants. Tomorrow I will show you the lighted outline of the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat/floating home just a little further south along that shore. Even though the film was made in the early 90s, it is still one of the most asked after "landmarks" (watermarks? :-) by visitors to Seattle. That, and the park bench turned into a memorial to Kurt Cobain in the little park next to his home.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Skywatch Friday: Mid February Glimpse of Spring on Lake Union

Here is the view of the Seattle evening skyline looking south from Gas Works Park over Lake Union. Yes, it was gorgeous! You can see a Duckboat and a fishing boat cruising about in the last light of a brilliantly sunny day. It is so nice to have the real feel of spring in the air and blossoms on the cherry and plum trees. You can see skies what the skies are like all over the world at Skywatch Friday!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Beating Heart

If you are a fan of hand drumming and percussion traditions from around the world and are visiting Seattle, John''s Music is a place you will want to drop in while you are in town. Located in the the heart of the Wallingford neighborhood and owned by percussion educator John Avinger, John's Music has a 30 year history of carrying a wide variety of hand drums and hand held percussion instruments that will delight and amaze you. John was instrumental in founding the Seattle World Rhytm Festival put on since 1994 by the Seattle World Percussion Society, to be held at Seattle Center April 23-25. In my old neighborhood there were several drum circles and also informal outdoor gathering places where two to ten hand drummers would be slapping the skins together, filling the air with amazing rhythms, learning from each other. I miss hearing that. It is very magical to watch and listen to. Here in Seattle, this shop is the heart of that community. Hey, did you see the film "The Visitor"? It is set in NYC, but carries the magic people new to drumming seem to find.

UPDATE FOR CDPB FRIENDS: Rejoicing today with the news that our photoblogger friend Amir Sadeghi of Tehran 24 and Tehran Live daily photo blogs has been freed from Evin prison in Tehran. Amir is free. What a wonderful day this is!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

iPhone Wednesday #31: Pizza Toss

The dough rises pretty high at Snoose Junction Pizzeria. It's my iPhone Wednesday shot for this week. Paris Daily Photo is also featuring an iPhone shot of St. Martin's canal on a snowy day today, and Ming at Bangor Daily Photo is an honorary Seattlite today with his iPhone shot of Jones Soda and coffee he had for lunch in Maine. Check out Petrea's glass block view iPhone shot at Pasadena Daily Photo, and Chuck's AMAZING neon sign window shot at One a Day Mostly Seattle, too!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Out For a Show

Showbox February 15 Richard Thompson Band Show

Well, I took "my chances on the wall of death" last night and caught the Richard Thompson Band at the Showbox. The band has a series of west coast dates at which they are recording a new live album. So, the first set was entirely new material, and I found that very refreshing. I always look forward to hearing artists' new compositions but don't ever recall anyone playing ten to twelve new songs in a row. Very cool, and RT fans are definitely in for a treat when it comes out. The five member band was very tight and played electric violin, mandolin, baritone, alto, and soprano sax, mandolin, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, and drums. They had the audience ecstatic and the sound in the room surprisingly good for the Showbox. A couple highlights: the traditional British murder ballad redefined and turned on its ear by Thompson with contemporary lyrics and a driving, wild Celtic-tinged rock beat that had the crowd dancing :-); and there was a melodic, sunny little number with highly visual lyrics that could easily become an instant summer radio hit with a bullet, if radio weren't mostly dead. This venue usually allows cameras, but unfortunately not at this show, so I can't show you more than the marquee and Showbox sign outside, and you can click More Seattle Stuff for a peek at a very low rez iPhone shot of the band and some after show street scenes. Have you enjoyed a concert lately?

Monday, February 15, 2010

Happy President's Day

Hope those in the USA are enjoying a day off work and school on this holiday. Here is an architectural detail at the University of Washington featuring the seal of the State of Washington. America's first president and revolutionary general, George Washington's face appears in the center of the seal. Today is the national observance of his birthday. When I was a school kid in California we observed Washington's Birthday on February 11 22, and somewhere along the line it got absorbed into the Monday holidays act and is now observed nationally on the third Monday in February. California also observed Abraham Lincoln's Birthday on February 12 when I was in elementary school, and some state's observe his birthday along with Washington's on Presidents Day. The national holiday is still officially called Washington's Birthday, I learned.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

We LOVE Nordstrom

What's in a name? Well, a lack of confusion perhaps. In 2006 Seattle's skyline was newly graced with a gleaming 42 story building that was a joint venture between the Seattle Art Museum and now defunct Washington Mutual Bank. Here is a shot of it. First dubbed WaMu Center, 16 stories of the office space on the building's south and west elevations was owned by SAM, and the taller tower portion faced by the north and east elevations was owned by WaMu. WaMu also leased several of SAM's stories for their own use, with an agreement that SAM could possibly expand museum space from its current 4 story occupation up to 12 stories as it grew over the next 20 years.

The Seattle banking giant WaMu had barely been ensconced in the new space for three years when it failed and JP Morgan Chase purchased WaMu's portion of the building. Thus, on June 1 of last year it was dubbed with name number two, Chase Center. JP Morgan Chase chose not to honor WaMu's lease agreement with SAM, leaving the museum sweating financial bullets. Just a short three months later Northwestern Mutual purchased Chase's portion of the building and will move its Tacoma subsidiary, Russel Investments, into part of the space. So, after christening number three (which they say is a charm) the official name is currently Russel Investments Center. Do you have that straight now? Keep alert. There's more. No, it's not another name change, but a familiar local name stepping in and in effect rescuing SAM after it was left in the lurch. Seattle's own Nordstrom intends to lease 182,000 square feet from SAM (about 3/4 of the space SAM leased to WaMu) and 83,000 square feet from Northwestern Mutual. Nordstrom, a hometown business, is in effect coming to the rescue of the Seattle Art Museum. This will be a tremendous financial relief to SAM to have most of it's office space leased. Nordstrom's corporate headquarters will remain atop it's flagship store, but the other members of its 3,500 administrative staff will eventually move from three other downtown buildings where they currently lease office space.

In 2007 WaMu Center started featuring special holiday graphics on it's west face, closing curtains to make patterns from window lights, like the Great Pumpkin on Halloween, a Valentine Heart, and even the 12 th man symbol for a Seahawks' big game. I shot this LOVE display in 2008, and send it out to those who are civic minded enough to move in a direction that may make these hard financial times better for folks in our city and workers all around the region. A little good will goes a long way, and if this lease deal goes through as planned, it will be a real win-win. I hope the window displays, which I looked for and did not see last year, might be taken on again by the new owner or tenants. It brought a lot of smiles to everyone and showed the geeky, goofy, fun loving hometown spirit of Seattle. Happy Valentines Day to you all, and Happy Year of the Tiger!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Folding Bike on Burke-Gilman Trail

Cyclists, walkers and runners abound on the Burke-Gilman Trail on any Saturday morning. This is a section of the trail that cuts through the south end of the Ravenna neighborhood between the University and Bryant neighborhoods. I found it interesting to see a folding bike rider out on a weekend, as I tend to think of these as commute bikes. But I should know better, because I have friends that ride their Bromptons everywhere everyday (that's Norm folding one). Anyway, I hope this guy has the day off and is out for some fun. I believe his bike to be a Xooter Swift, which runs about $700 new.

I hope folks had a chance to sleep in or enjoy some recreation today. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year, so rest up! :-)

Friday, February 12, 2010

Skywatch: Curved & Linear Too

This is the view of the tallest of the city's high rises, Columbia Center, and to its right the crown of its fourth tallest, the Municipal Building, as seen from under the the eves of Seattle City Hall, that visible diagonal in the right bottom corner of the photo. I took a photo a few years ago that captured this interesting conjunction of curves and lines of architectural elements, and this time, I tried to frame the negative space of cloudy sky with them. You might be interested to see some of the other tallest buildings that reach to the beautiful skies here, so click here to take a peek. Hope you are having a great Friday and that it is the start of a fun Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year, and (here in the USA) President's Day weekend! To see skies from all around the globe, click Skywatch Friday to explore.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Sending Good Wishes

From the Space Needle in Seattle to the Milad Tower in Tehran, may freedom and civil liberties be enjoyed by all in peace. If you are not familiar with the beautiful Milad Tower in the capital city of Iran, you might like to scroll through these great shots of its opening gala that Amir Sagedhi shared with our daily photoblogging community in August of 2008. Amir was arrested at work in Tehran on Monday by state security forces. We are thinking of Amir and his family and urging Amnesty International to intercede for his safety and immediate release. He is among 65 bloggers and journalists who have been arrested for photographing and reporting about opposition demonstrations. Today is the 31st anniversary of the Iranian revolution and a big celebration is underway. The government is seeking to prevent protests on this occasion and has severely restricted or disrupted all means of TV, press, radio, internet, and phone communications to prevent dissenting groups from organizing or being able to report about expected protests.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Criminal Activity?

Could I be arrested for taking and posting photos here? Two days ago fellow CDPB photoblogger Amir Sadeghi was arrested in Tehran by Iranian government authorities in what seems to be a further concerted action to suppress and intimidate journalists and bloggers from sharing information or images of anti-government demonstrations. Amir was picked up at his place of work, a newspaper, on February 8th because of photos he took of the violent government crackdown on a December 27 demonstration and published on his personal blog, Tehranlive.org. He also publishes Tehran 24. He had previously been arrested and released last June after a number of days in prison. At that time he had been randomly picked up while out in the streets photographing the huge public demonstrations after the controversial presidential election. 65 journalists and bloggers are currently reported to be held by the Iranian government, and others have fled the country seeking asylum in France. Internet bandwidth, use of satellite dishes and other media access is being severely limited in the lead up to the 31st anniversary observances of the 1979 Iranian revolution on February 11.

In the USA I still have the hard won rights of free speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press that our own revolution secured. That is not to say that my own government hasn't been sorely tempted to limit these rights for some or to allow chummy big business entities to buy up all the media outlets, or that it has been perfect in its toleration of political dissent. Several of its branches have been shown to have engaged in highly questionable covert practices over many years to disrupt and destroy dissenting groups, the most notorious and damaging to civil rights being the McCarthy era red baiting and the secret anti left Cointelpro efforts of the 60s through 80s.

Still, I can go out on any public sidewalk or street in my city and take a photograph of what's going on, even of police actions and political demonstrations, and post that photo to my blog without being hassled. People in disagreement with my views on things are still likely to defend my right to express those views, and I their opposing views. I am not afraid that a photo I post will bring someone to the door to arrest me. Amir is now in very grave danger for doing just that. Foreign journalists previously detained by the Iranian government for many months before being released confirm that they were beaten and coerced by Iranian authorities into making false confessions. We can support Amir's release through spreading the word to our friends, our government officials and the UN. Please keep him and his parents in your thoughts and prayers. He's just a young photographer and systems administrator who had the hobby of photoblogging his beautiful city and sharing his culture with us one day at a time. He and many other ordinary citizens have been overtaken by historic events in their country. They need our support, to know the world is watching. At some other time it could be you or me thrown into prison and facing who knows what consequence for doing what we do every day, taking photos. We ask for his safety and immediate release, along with the other 64 journalists and bloggers being held.

iPhone Wednesday #30: The Counter

It's bonus day, being iPhone Wednesday. Since Petrea of Pasadena Daily Photo is sharing an iPhone shot of the build it yourself gourmet burger restaurant, The Counter, in her fair city, I thought I'd show you the new Seattle installation next to Trader Joes in the Ballard Blocks complex that surrounds Edith Macefield's little house. The actual counter is beyond that divide, with full bar service and sports TV viewing. As you can see, the fries are well thought of :-). I had a veggie burger, and it was house made from identifiable veggies, and very yummy.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Your Next Bold Move

I passed this scene downtown and just had to stop and stare. It was as thought provoking as an installation inside SAM or some street artist's display. I'd be curious to know what thoughts this image brings up for you, so feel free to pen your own title for whatever it invokes and share it in the comments.

Your Next Bold Move - Ani DiFr...

Monday, February 08, 2010

Vertical Highrise Numero Dos

I showed you this straight up view of Seattle's famous first skyscraper, Smith Tower, back in August of 2006 and have tried this shot again several times since. For this one I happened by with a full frame camera on a very overcast day. Floors 1-21 are offices, but there was news last year that floors 22-33 were slated to become 12 private residences. I haven't heard about the progress on those plans, but until they come to be constructed, the three story high penthouse dwelling in the pyramid top of the building is currently the only residence--as you can see in photos here, a very unique abode with a Chihuly chandelier at its center. When one rides the elevators in this building, one can look through the lattice and see each floor's number patterned right into the vintage tile floor at each landing (take a look at these interior 360 degree virtual shots). The killer views from the 35th floor Chinese Room with full surround observation deck (it's that curved overhang you see way up at center) make it a very popular venue for small wedding parties. I've shown you many interior and exterior shot of Smith Tower, as well as shots taken looking out from up above. To see all my previous shots grouped quickly together, type Smith Tower in the search box at the top of this blog.

Sunday, February 07, 2010

Bus Tunnel

Many cities have subways, but Seattle is the only one I've experienced with bus tunnels under the city streets rather than trains. The Metro Bus Tunnel system has five stations and was completed in 1990 for use by gas and electric powered buses. It was renovated fifteen years later to accommodate joint use of buses and the new Link Light Rail system. It was re-dubbed the Seattle Transit Tunnel when it reopened two years ago. If you'd like to go on a ride through the tunnel from the comfort of your own screen, click this video!

Saturday, February 06, 2010

Thinkinboutcha

Thinking fondly of my older brother today with this after sundown view out over Puget Sound from the beach at Golden Gardens. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Friday, February 05, 2010

Skywatch: Seattle's Sunrise Yesterday

This was the sky that greeted us in Seattle yesterday morning, heavy with a cloud front, but gorgeous when lit from underneath by Aurora's rosy fingers. It is my shot for this weeks Skywatch Friday. You can see hundreds of skies around the world today. Just take a look through the thumbnails for all the participants here.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

You Say He Saw His Shadow!?

J.P. Patches, the beloved Seattle television clown and public figure has been paid tribute in many ways, from days of celebration in his honor, to plaques from the charities and hospitals he so often gave his time and talents to, to action figures being made in his likeness, to this wonderful very lifelike and playful sculpture placed in tribute in the Fremont neighborhood in August of 2008. This is a detail of "Late for the Interurban" by sculpter Kevin Pettelle. As you might guess from the sculpture's title, it is situated just across Soltice Plaza from Waiting For the Interurban, which you saw yesterday. When I visited J.P. and Gertrude, there wasn't much sun above, despite the fact that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhogs Day this week, predicting six more weeks of winter. But, with J.P., even amidst the gloomy gray skies and with only an iPhone to capture an image, things are always looking up!

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

iPhone Wednesday #29: Waiting for an Answer

The oft' dressed up interactive sculpture, Waiting for the Interurban, in the Fremont neighborhood is currently sporting this romantic query. So, if you've been thinking of popping the question to your special someone, please feel free to use the Share button below to email this to your beloved, and good luck ;^). Let me know what answer you get! It's my iPhone Wednesday shot for this week.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Puppy Love

Some young pups were eager to get their humans to their obedience training class at University Canine Learning Academy (photo of a whole pile o' puppies in sniff check mode at More Seattle Stuff).

Monday, February 01, 2010

Theme Day: Wood

This is the Evergreen State, and you are going to find endless possibilities for a "Wood" theme day around here. I'm having a little fun letting the Space Needle provide a mid-century modern "hat" for this 30 foot cedar totem pole on the campus of Seattle Center. At it's base is a Keet (Orca), and above it a Raven, then a Bear with a Salmon, and a Hawk keeping watch over all at the top. It was carved by master carvers Earl Muldoe, Victor Mowatt, and Duane Pasco in the 'Ksan style (the Gitxsan people of the Upper Skeena River area of British Columbia).
Wood is our first of the month CDPB theme today, click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

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