Seattle Daily Photo

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Cloudburst Yesterday Afternoon

Wow, you didn't want to be out riding your bike without rain gear yesterday afternoon! We had just been admiring the fall foliage in the Lake City neighborhood (small photos) before we went indoors for a bit, and by the time we came back out the sky was super thick with dark clouds. About halfway home the fingers of showers descending from low clouds we could see at a distance reached us, and it poured! Rain or shine, it is just beautiful here right now.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Late Night

A window on a lot of Seattle students' world right now, down at the all night coffee house, living by screen light, cranking out assignments and catching up on reading in a relatively safe late night public place frequented by police on break. This was in Capitol Hill last night.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Heinmot Tookyalakekt Still Larger Than Life

That is the name of the person depicted beyond that corner, better known as "Chief Joseph" of the Nez Perce tribe of the Wallowa, one of the last peoples forced away from their original tribal lands to reservations. Only about 150 of those that did not flee to Canada survived the government moves. This is a sample of the mural spray paint art of Andrew Morrison, an immensely talented young Seattle artist whose family on his father's side are Haida and on his mother's side are Apache. I was passing Wilson Pacific School on Wallingford and 90th when I spied these huge murals that beckoned me to come closer. I walked the entire school grounds and found many enormous murals depicting American Indians of all tribes (see the murals sections on Andrew's website). Each filled a two story high wall exquisitely capturing fine detail using spray paint. To give you some idea of the size, my head would only come up to the top of that earring on the left.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Peeking Duck

This duck came in close as I was squatting at the edge of Green Lake taking some photos of water lilies. Trying to capture a shot of it moving at close range proved impossible. For some reason the shutter button on the little pocket camera was being finicky and enough time elapsed between my press and the click that the poor duck was beheaded in the frame. But as I looked at the shot, I noticed her eye glancing at me out of the reflection, then the whole image flip flopped in my brain and she was swimming upside down. Fun! It's a gorgeous, sunny fall day here. Hope you are enjoying a bit of the outdoors this Saturday wherever you are.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Dali's Needle

Surrealistic, twisted effect in this night shot of the Needle's reflection in the "Purple Haze" wall of the EMP. It reminds me of a mushroom, or perhaps something once described to me by my surfer friend, Jim, who lived in a tree house on Kauai and experienced strange psilocybin mushroom induced visions of waves and plants and structures. The Purple Haze wall is one of the first stops every photographer seems to make while in Seattle. You might remember this self portrait I took for one of our theme days. It is so fun and the effects for interesting shots seem endless. Hope you are having a good weekend!

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Fired Up & Ready To Go

Well, here's something one doesn't see everyday: a whole garage door devoted to a candidate's support. It was the curvy lines of the classic car that first caught my eye from a distance, seen on a residential side street in the Crown Hill area. As I got closer I saw the hand lettered door, then noticed the car's license plate reads "NO HUAC," referring to the infamous House Unamerican Activities Committee of 1938-1975. I guess we could assume some things about this resident's political views. ;^) Look at the car door handles. Which direction do you think that back door swings open?

Update: thanks very much to Wayne in Vancouver, BC for identifying this as an early 50s Studebaker and that those back doors that open backwards were called "suicide doors." I looked through a few classic car photos after getting Wayne's information, and indeed he is right and I believe this car is a 1951 Studebaker Champion. Although the photo didn't capture it, the car has a distinctive bullet nose.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Local Farmers Markets Throughout Seattle

Seattle is a fresh fruit and veggie paradise with eight seasonal and four year-round weekly neighborhood farmers markets besides the giant daily one at Pike Place Market. Two organizations run the local markets. Seattle Markets sponsors the original year-round Fremont Market with farmers' produce, local foods, flea market, artisan and craft goods, and its spin off sister market in Ballard; and May through September markets in Queen Anne, Wallingford, and Madison-Madrona neighborhoods. Seattle's Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance sponsors year round produce and local foods only markets in the University District and West Seattle, and May through October markets in Columbia City, Broadway, Phinney, Lake City, and Magnolia neighborhoods. I'm regretfully saying goodbye to berry season (these were at the Wallingford Farmers Market a few weeks back) and welcoming the apples, pears, figs, and pumpkins of autumn.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

The Hutch

Which of our lives has not been touched by cancer? Each of us has a loved one, colleague, or friend who has dealt with hearing that dreaded word, cancer, uttered into their lives. Perhaps you have had your own physical battle with it. The buildings you see in this photo comprise the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, or "The Hutch" as most Seattlites refer to this renown biotech complex. The researchers inside this unassuming little fortress on the east shore of Lake Union are attempting to mount effective attacks against this common enemy in all its forms. My husband died at a young age last year from glioblastoma mutilforme, a fast growing and particularly nasty form of brain cancer which at this time, sadly, is nearly always fatal. In time new treatments may be forged through the hard work and investigation of folks at the Hutch and other of Seattle's labs and medical centers. Or breast cancer! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the USA. My best wishes are with everyone who is dealing with cancer in their lives, and with those seeking to eradicate it.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Full Moon Over I-5 Colonnade Park

Almost-full moon rise over Capital Hill and I-5 Freeway through Eastlake. This long exposure shot is straight out of the camera except for the border and copyright text. The blue lighting you see under the freeway is part of the art installation "Seventh Climate (Paradise Reconsidered)" at the newly opened I-5 Colonnade Park. This reclaimed bit of turf under the freeway is called "the first ever urban mountain bike skills park" by its creators, the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (formerly Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club). A joint project of EMBA and Seattle City Parks, I-5 Colonnade Park's bike skills facilities were built by volunteers who donated over 7000 hours of labor to create the city's newest, and possibly most unique park. I took this shot three nights after the park's grand opening in September, and that line across the moon was a jet in flight.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

To The Summit

This photo may not immediately give away my whereabouts on Sunday, and that's because I spent the day enjoying a grand tour with a fellow CDPBlogger who took me to places frequented mostly by locals. The city is beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada where I was attending a lecture and benefit concert Saturday at the University of Victoria concerning forging an end to child soldiering around the globe. I had a wonderful time discovering much more of Victoria on Sunday with Benjamin Madison, whose Victoria Daily Photo I have greatly enjoyed for quite some time. It is so fun to not only go visiting favorite photo haunts of someone whose work and writing I admire, but to discover through conversation a depth and breadth of life experience and common threads of interest and influence that seem uncanny. Thanks again, Benjamin! I took this shot at Mount Douglas, a small peak that gives a grand overlook of Victoria and the southern portion of the island and beyond. The young girl scrambling to the summit spoke to me of freedom and positive movement and the joy of life.

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Earth Air Water Fire

I'm not in Seattle at present but visiting another beautiful, rainy Pacific Northwest city for the weekend. Can you guess from this street fixture where in the world Kimmie could be today? I'll be meeting another City Daily Photo Blogger tomorrow for a photowalk, and that will be fun!

Friday, October 03, 2008

Watercolor Inspiration

After yesterday's action shot I thought you might like to see a still life, just after a rain. This is among some houseboats in the Eastlake floating home community of Tenas Chuck. Care to pour a cup of coffee and join us on the deck? Happy Friday!

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Great Blue Heron in Flight

I caught sight of Seattle's official city bird winging its way west along the shore in the Fremont neighborhood. The Blue Heron's wing span so large and its movements graceful, I always love watching them.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Theme Day: Lines

". . .So, you come here often?"

Our monthly theme day is lines (please, don't shoot me for this broad interpretation; I just HAD to post this image of a couple chatting at the Cyclops in Belltown ;^). So, what's the best line YOU ever got or used? To see how other City Daily Photo Bloggers around the globe interpreted our theme, click individually on your fave cities below or click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Auckland, New Zealand by Baruch, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Bandung, Indonesia by Eki Akhwan, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Bandung, Indonesia by Bunyamin, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Birmingham (AL), USA by VJ, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Ilse, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Cape Town, South Africa by JSB, Cavite, Philippines by Steven Que, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Chateaubriant, France by trieulet, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Ram N, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Edwardsville (IL), USA by Mdflores, Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA by Gigi, Franschhoek, South Africa by JSB, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hangzhou, China by zoe, Helsinki, Finland by PPusa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Honningsvag, Norway by J., Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Islip (NY), USA by Bettye, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Karwar, India by Yogesh, Knoxville (TN), USA by Knoxville Girl, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, La Antigua, Guatemala by Rudy, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Madrid, Spain by Tr3nta, Mainz, Germany by JB, Manila, Philippines by Hilda, Manila, Philippines by Anthony, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Melbourne, Australia by John, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Middletown (MD), USA by Bernie, Milton, New Zealand by Milton Daily Photo, Milwaukee (WI), USA by karl, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Scott, Molfetta, Italy by saretta, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Muizenberg, South Africa by Pentaxjunkie, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Delhi, India by Delhi Photo Diary, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by Kitty, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Elsa, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Pensacola (FL), USA by P J, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Philadelphia (PA), USA by Andrew Foderaro, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Sharon, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Prague, Czech Republic by kakna, Quezon City, Philippines by ann pablo, Quincy (MA), USA by slim, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea by Jules, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Reykjavik, Iceland by Vírgíll, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Roanoke (VA), USA by Tanya, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by Burd Zel Krai, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Schenectady (NY), USA by Buck, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Zannnie, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, South Pasadena (CA), USA by Laurie, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Telluride (CO), USA by mtsrool, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Test City (MA), USA by , Torun, Poland by Glenn, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by D.C. Confidential, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Elements

Sometimes urban elements come together in interesting ways. I just liked the way this looked and the colors. A follow-up to our three duckies from yesterday.

Monday, September 29, 2008

OH, Archie!

. . .say that in your best Edith Bunker voice. Archie McPhee's popular novelty shop will be closing its doors after nine years in Ballard and moving elsewhere. Home of the Devil Duckie and all things plastic, schlocky, and beyond cool, it has been a much beloved fixture on Ballard's main drag. Here's the full scoop. So long, fun little shop, and farewell.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Nowhere Fast

A jet black sports car is just making the lights, speeding toward what seems like a barricaded route in the Cascade neighborhood. That's Key Arena off in the distance, and if you were trying to get there, this would definately be a case of "I know where you want to go, but you can't get there from here." The concrete divide is actually the median of Aurora Avenue/Hwy 99, a fast moving, not so pretty north/south main artery through Seattle.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Decisions, Decisions

Which lane to get in? You can go north from the left lane. You can go south from the right lane. Or, if you are still undecided on the route, you can stay in the middle lane until the last minute and then decide which direction to go. After last night's candidate debate, perhaps you've figured out which lane you'll choose for the presidential election? :-)
It took me awhile to get used to some of Seattle's hanging traffic signs and suspended lights when I moved here for college many moons ago. It all looked so foreign. Does your community hang signs or traffic lights above roadways in this fashion?

Friday, September 26, 2008

Ball

I had long wanted to catch a shot of the translucent roof and large neon sign on top of Ballard Market (which you saw here in a daylight shot). I was over driving in that area the other night and looked east and just had to stop, even though I was due somewhere else, and capture that rising moon in the background. Somehow, this association came about all of its own as I tried to compose within the tight confines of the only lens I had with me. This is the second in a developing series I'm calling Moon Roofs.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Moon Glow

I took a couple of abstract shots incorporating the waxing moon over a few nights and thought you might enjoy seeing them. So here is today's. This is the blue shingled roof of the Science Fiction Museum portion of the EMP building. The distorted reflection of the Space Needle is glistening in the undulating surface.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Whoo Hoo Blues

Here is Washington Mutual Bank's WaMu Tower seen from on board a sail boat in Elliott Bay. WaMu, known for its amusing free checking accounts ad campaigns and its trademarked "Whoo hoo!" slogan, is singing the Whoo Hoo Blues these days as one of the very large American financial institutions whose mortgage division has been devastated by the sub-prime mortgage debacle. I invite US readers who wish to better understand the taxpayer bail out proposal under debate in congress to view this brief OpEd piece which has a link to the full wording of the legislation as well as succinct notes on key parts of the legislation; or this piece considering alternative legislation, or this piece which shows concern is not a partisan issue but a shared concern of both major political parties, and to phone or email your congressional representatives expressing your own views and concern. Democracy is participatory; we all benefit when we speak our minds and inform our elected government of our will. I'm wishing each of us well in the personal and collective economic challenges ahead of us in the USA.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Water Taxi

Commuting to and from West Seattle to the waterfront and downtown can be a very pleasant experience for pedestrians and bicyclists via the Elliott Bay Water Taxi. It runs from late April through the end of October and costs only $3.00 USD. That's quite a nice deal considering it offers one of the west coast's nicest views and costs the same as say a trip over the Oakland Bay Bridge into San Francisco, but you don't have to drive and can enjoy the view.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Capitol Hill & South Lake Union Night View

Looking southeast from Bhy Kracke Park over South Lake Union's Cascade neighborhood and Capitol Hill beyond. The Museum of History and Industry's new campus at the old Naval Reserve Armory in the new South Lake Union Park is visible in the left foreground. That swath of gold with the red light trails is I-5 and delineates the start of Capitol Hill. If this scene includes your neighborhood, try and find your window!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Fading Summer

Darker earlier, sunup later, breezes cooling despite the warm days. I bring a little of it indoors to keep it going a bit longer. It rained all day yesterday, and gray today, but Indian Summer is just around the corner with it's crisp air and bright sun. Happy SUNday everyone!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Bienvenidos!

Okay, so it's the second overcast gray day in a row after weeks and weeks and weeks of absolute sunshine. If I can't get it outside, at least I can attempt to hang on to that feeling of high summer in El Diablo Coffee's cheerful interior, every square foot of which has been painted with wild, whimsical figures and colorful abandon by Fiona McGuigan & Zephyr Nelson. Watch out, though, it's not just the murals, table tops and chairs that radiate warm fuzzies; that Cuban sunshine in a cup packs a big buzz! Maybe you feel it a little bit in this picture ;^). Here we go into fall on Monday. Hope your last weekend of summer 2008 is great (or last weekend of WINTER for you folks with the blood rushing to your heads down under)!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Artist at Work

Can you imagine what it must take for an artist to work as a cartoonist like this one who does street portraits in tourist areas of Seattle. How many instant meetings must artists like this go through in a day, and how do they cope with all the varieties of people and personalities they must encounter each day. And if they are shy, how do they calm performance jitters enough to get the job done with a crowd of spectators watching their every move. Do you do your job in public or have some sort of audience, and how do you feel about that?

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Alternative View

Sometimes I consider the tall clusters of broadcasting towers on Capitol Hill and Queen Anne (seen here) to be an eyesore, much like I thought of the giant Sutro Tower in San Francisco that used to loom over the hill outside our third floor kitchen window and blink at me like Big Brother as I prepared dinner in the evenings. I called it the Martian Tower. Sometimes, though, we can look at things a little differently and make out of their mundane and utilitarian form something more interesting, colorful and more pleasing to view. Not quite la Tour Eiffel, but still a bit sparkley!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

So Much to Say

Guys gabbing during a smoke break on an Experience Music Project concert night. The EMP lives up to its name as an interactive museum and venue that must be experienced, hands on. Most people visiting it for the first time would call it the AMAZING Music Project, and a Seattle destination not to be missed if you have an interest in American popular music and rock from the 1950s to present, or in contemporary architecture.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Street Musician

This is Rabbi Eliakim B. David in action. Playing and improvising to some recorded tracks, this dapper street musician in his 80s was keeping it fresh, sending out his sweet tone into the night air, gathering listeners, smiling at the ladies, and switching between alto and tenor.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Yakima Daily Photo in Seattle

Do you recognize this City Daily Photo Blogger? Yes, it's Katney, of Yakima Daily Photo! She trekked through Seattle yesterday on her 3 Day Walk to help in the fight against breast cancer. Over three thousand participants spent the third day of this amazing walk making their way through the arboretum, the University of Washington Campus, on to Green Lake (where I met Kathy in the morning), through Fremont, out to the Olympic Sculpture Park and waterfront, and then to Seattle Center's Memorial Stadium for their closing ceremony. Seattle was awash in PINK! Kathy is wearing a hat she made for last year's 3 day walk, embroidered with dozens of names of breast cancer patients, and she's holding the patchwork pink ribbon backpack she also specially made. It was wonderful to meet her and wish her well on the last leg of a very long and worthwhile effort. Congratulations Kathy! I can vouch for her completing the 60 miles (I've seen the blisters for myself!), and if you'd like to pledge for the miles Katney walked, go here. For lots more fun photos of Kathy and her fellow walkers, go here. And click on her blog (above) to see more of her adventures on the trail.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Little Wheel Spin & Spin

With the lovely summer nights we've been having, a lot of people are heading outdoors for some fun after dark. This little ferris wheel located in the small amusement area, the Fun Forrest, adjacent to the Space Needle, is slated to go by the wayside with the other beloved kiddie carnival-style rides, and that portion of Seattle Center's campus is to be redeveloped. Perhaps we should request a Seattle Eye be considered, like London's--something that can better match the Space Needle's stature, offer youth and families some fun, and provide another means of taking in Seattle's spectacular views.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Driving Home From a Perfect Day

Winding through the hilly streets, headlights needed earlier as autumn approaches. Coming home after a perfect sunny summer day with hints of fall in the breeze. It surprises many visitors to Seattle how many hills and narrow lanes there can be to navigate to houses tucked into the curves of the topography. It affords everyday views such as this, though.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Souvenir: Portal to Thoughtful Worlds

A tiny shop on old Ballard Ave. has intrigued me for years. The window displays are always unique, thoughtful, artfully pulled together, sometimes whimsical, sometimes bizarre, sometimes pure art. The shop has no sign, no advertising, it just draws you in. Or the small, cute pet in the window does. Within are more wonderful things to see like an array of the owner's handmade cards or amazing curios from many times and places. Your only clue to finding it walking by, besides the window displays, is an aging name from a long closed business, "Frank's," embedded in the tile and terrazzo entryway, and this pet gate. The shop is Souvenir, the artist who creates it is Curtis Steiner. You've got to see his amazing interactive sculpture, "1000 Blocks," on display at the Seattle Art Museum, which can be viewed slowly or quickly here. After those mesmerizing 100 variations, you'll want to play with your own Stiener 1000 Blocks set on line here.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Sabotage

I walk around Green Lake several times a week. So, why do I often park near here? ;^) Actually I have yet to go in. My walking routine is rewarded strictly by tranquil sounds of background traffic, lapping water, rustling trees, water fowl, kids playing, runner's feet on gravel, bladers and cyclist's wheels against pavement (I don't take the iPod). I usually have camera in hand but don't shoot much, mostly just take in the scenes, colors and beauty as I pass by. Sometimes I watch the people on the trail as I walk, and I recognize some regulars who are there the times that I am (like this skater I showed you last year who does 6 or 7 laps while I walk one!). We nod at each other in passing. On this particular day I glimpsed a famous neighbor walking with spouse in the opposite direction, unnoticed and unmolested by anyone, getting to have a normal day in the sun like the rest of us. Mostly I just enjoy being with my thoughts, having the personal space. I've heard that the confections at Chocolati are wonderful, though.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Exit Lights?

Last month I showed you a pocket camera daytime view of this bench and grass hardscape that is in front of the newly opened UW Medicine Research campus in the South Lake Union biotechnology hub of Seattle. I revisited at night with my regular camera and found new charms the designers had built in, like the lighting under the bench. Reminds me of the light strips on airliners that are meant to guide you in the right direction.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

One of My Kind

This doesn't happen much outside of touristy areas when I'm photowalking the neighborhood and downtown streets, especially at night; but, I came lens to lens with one of my kind the other night. He was sitting under a street lamp on an opposing corner, doing what I was doing, trying to catch some shots of Seattle life. I laughed and crossed to speak with him after I saw through my long lens that the figure was a guy with a camera and not a street person sitting there. He must have thought me crazy at first when I emerged from the shadows, tripod in hand, and said, "One of my kind!" Actually, it turns out he's much, Much, MUCH more highly evolved than I. . . ;^) You can see his work here.

Monday, September 08, 2008

Through a Glass Darkly

Grass silhouetted in nighttime neon street scene bokeh, seen through the colored glass of a streetcar stop shelter on a beautiful summer night. Hope today is the start to a great week!

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Music of the Spheres

Thought you might enjoy an abstract on this fine late summer Sunday. These glass orbs are part of a lighting scheme suspended at second story level between shiny new buildings on the UW Medicine Research campus in the Cascade neighborhood.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Stacked Blocks

Here is Seattle's downtown core from a vantage point not often seen in photos. The common skyline shots are usually taken from the the hill to the left (east) whose green base is showing. From this photo's angle on another hill further west, though, the stacked blocks of buildings take on an almost geometric diamond shape, determined by the city's core being built on a step hill descending to a bay. The distinctive Amazon.com building on Beacon Hill far to the south of downtown is compressed into this scene to look as if it were very near (orange/terracotta colored stair-stepping looking building to the right). But if you were looking back north at the downtown from the Amazon.com building, this is what you would see.

Friday, September 05, 2008

Faded Advert

I came across this 1960's era faded advert on the side of a brick building on First Hill and thought it was a nice compliment to yesterday's uber in-the-moment Seattle sodas.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Jones Soda Co.

Jones Soda Co. is a local Seattle business specializing in natural, organic sodas. The company definitely has a distinctive marketing vibe. Their labels and six pack cartons often feature cool images submitted by artists and photographers. This campaign year I had heard that they were distributing "campaign colas" with labels featuring presidential candidates. I had looked for them at the market several times but had never come across it. I had to drop a family member off at an event in South Lake Union and thought I'd do a photowalk afterward. I came across a colorful Jones Soda truck parked outside the company's loading dock. I was shooting away at the orange door, orange bottles in the upper window and orange truck graphics when the loading dock door suddenly went up and an employee took some trash to the dumpster. He was surprised to see a woman with a tripod clicking away at him in the dark. I said something lame like "there goes my orange door," hoping I didn't seem too weird. I asked him about the business and mentioned how cool their labels were and if the candidate sodas had been discontinued. "Why, no, were there any in particular you were looking for?" ;^) Jones Campaign Colas are available online here. One can even submit a photo and slogan for their own "My Jones" label design. I was also told one can go to the company on Friday's to quench their thirst for organic soda for a mere $00.50 USD.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

For Daniel Behind the Mountain

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!"

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

White Tower

A blue scene with towering clouds and a white tower on Sunday evening. Music from the Bumbershoot festival in the distance was rising up to us. I was having a pleasant conversation with a couple from Poland and a fellow from Moscow, and we were all shooting this scene.

Update: Thanks to Knoxville Girl's heads up! As it turns out, Saint Louis Daily Photo's Strangetastes was shooting this scene just a few yards away from me, but neither of us knew it. The sad thing is, we had hoped to meet up for coffee while his family was on holiday in the area, but, due to an email snafu on my part, we didn't end up connecting, except in this shared vision that evidenced our near proximity. Today SLDP also features this same view from almost the same instant on the same day. Cue up music for the Twilight Zone now. . .

Monday, September 01, 2008

Theme Day: Sister Cities

No, this is NOT Seattle! Today CDPBloggers are showing you photos of our sister cities around the globe. Bergen Norway is the second of Seattle's 21 official sister cities (adopted in 1967; Kobe, Japan was first in 1957, and 19 others have come since). Like Seattle, Bergen is a port town and very beautifully situated. King Olav the 5th of Norway came to Seattle in 1975 and dedicated a Nordic heritage plaza in the Ballard neighborhood called "Bergen Place," which features a large colorful mural depicting life in Bergen, as well as stone benches carved to honor Norway, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. Many Seattlites trace their heritage back to Norway and the other Scandinavian countries. Photo, "Bergen Harbor," is by Jonas Smith, http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonassmith/. See who your other favorite City Daily Photo Blogs' sister cities are around the globe.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.
Or click a city from this list:Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Aurora, South Africa by shelagh, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Bandung, Indonesia by Bunyamin, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Bandung, Indonesia by Eki Akhwan, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Busan, Korea South by iamnbinb, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cavite, Philippines by Steven Que, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Chateaubriant, France by trieulet, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Shantaram, Chennai, India by Ram N, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Darmstadt, Germany by Elsch, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Edmonton (AL), Canada by , Evry, France by Olivier, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Gothenburg, Sweden by Lo/David, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Hanoi, Vietnam by Jérôme, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Helsinki, Finland by PPusa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Honningsvag, Norway by J., Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Istanbul, Turkey by mustafa34, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jerusalem, Israel by Esther, Karwar, India by Yogesh, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Madrid, Spain by Tr3nta, Mainz, Germany by JB, Manila, Philippines by Anthony, Mashhad, Iran by Meead, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Muizenberg, South Africa by Pentaxjunkie, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Delhi, India by Delhi Photo Diary, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, New York City (NY), USA by Kitty, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Nice, France by Angelaj, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Paris, France by Elsa, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pensacola (FL), USA by P J, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Philadelphia (PA), USA by Andrew Foderaro, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Sharon, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Rancho Palos Verdes (CA), USA by Sarah Adams, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by Burd Zel Krai, Schenectady (NY), USA by Buck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Seoul, South Korea by Phil, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Zannnie, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, South Pasadena (CA), USA by Laurie, Springfield (IL), USA by Aubrey, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Tel-Aviv, Israel by Olga, Telluride (CO), USA by mtsrool, Tempe (AZ), USA by angie, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torino, Italy by Fabrizio, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Turin, Italy by Livio, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Villigen, Switzerland by z, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by D.C. Confidential, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

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