137.

Twilight on the ferry heading back from San Juan Island to Anacortes, Washington. I don't know what island this is, but I do think it is a fitting shot for the last day of 2009. Have a great New Years Eve.

136.

view looking south and slightly east from American Camp on San Juan Island. I shot this through my sunglasses in an attempt to get the moon to show up a little clearer. For some reason it makes me think of Africa.

PS...today is my birthday. Have some cake.

135.

A view from American Camp on San Juan Island looking southwest. In the distance is Mt. Baker and the next island over is Lopez Island.

EDIT - my apologies, this view is looking EAST towards Mt. Baker, not west.

134.

this is the view looking southwest from American Camp on San Juan Island. American Camp is the site of the American fort that existed here about 100 years ago. There is only one building left. English Camp is on the opposite end of the island. The mountains in the distance are part of the Olympic range on the Olympic Peninsula.

133.

The Yaquina Bay Bridge, in Newport Oregon.

132.

sun setting near Knox Butte, outside Albany, Oregon. During this time of year, the fog rolls in near sunset and doesn't burn off until the next afternoon.

131

my nephew on Gleneden beach, Oregon. My sister and her family are far away on Christmas, so I am posting this happy memory from last summer. Merry Christmas everyone.

Interruption

I apologize for the gap in posts. I will be back starting tomorrow at some point.

130.

Snowberries (I think). San Juan Island, Washington.

129.

the lighthouse at Lime Kiln Point, shot between two madrona trees. Madronas have curiously red skin that shows through bark that peels easily back

128.

moss on a rock, San Juan Island, Washington

127.

the lighthouse at Lime Kiln State Park, San Juan Island, Washington. I actually shot this through my sunglasses to get the effect I wanted.

126.

Lime Kiln State Park on San Juan Island. It was the first park I have ever been in where you are actively encouraged to put yourself in danger for a picnic. There are no handrailings along the trails, which skirt the very edge of the rocks, and as you can see from this picture, the picnic tables are right out there on the rocks. These are at the base of a lighthouse, which is behind the photographer.

125.

boat with sails furled, Strait of Juan de Fuca between Anacortes and San Juan Island, Washington.

124.

on the ferry between Anacortes and San Juan Island. During this time of year, the sun never gets very high above the horizon. This was taken between 10:00 and 10:30 in the morning.

123.

islands in the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Anacortes and San Juan Island, Washington.

122.

the back of the ferry between Anacortes and San Juan Island on a gorgeous fall day.

121.

the Strait of Juan de Fuca is a deep channel filled with seawater. The tops of the mountains stick out of the water and create straight-sided islands scattered throughout the area.

120.

sun through the clouds on the ferry between Anacortes and San Juan Island, Washington.

119.

these four kayaks are set to be launched from the back of a ferry going to San Juan Island, Washington. Sea kayaking is a popular sport around the islands in the area, although it takes some very warm clothing and some serious waterproofing to do so.

118.

water churning off the back of a ferry, on the trip between Anacortes and San Juan Island, Washington.

117.

a downtown fountain in Kent, Washington. At night the fountain lights up with different colors and it is absoutely beautiful.

116.

seen at a Thai restaurant in Renton, Washington. I don't think it was part of the menu...but I didn't ask.

115.

Beach art made from seaweed and rocks on South Beach, San Juan Island, Washington.

114.

on the ferry between Anacortes, Washington and Friday Harbor, on San Juan Island, Washington. The weather was absolutely beautiful, despite the very brisk breeze, and this part of the ferry was totally deserted.

113.

The good thing about gray days is that if you get it just right, you can get everthing in silhouette with a perfect background. This starling was sitting in a tree outside the waiting room in the doctor's office. Renton, Washington.

112.

I think the leaves on the ground look like confetti. Have I mentioned I like leaves? Kent, Washington.

111.

It is really hard for me to capture exactly how much these leaves glow, even on a cloudy day. They are so intense it is almost hard to look at them. Kent, Washington

110.

moss on the side of a tree. Taken in Kent, Washington

109.

Seriously, I love leaves. Taken in Kent, Washington

108.

I love leaves. Taken in Kent, Washington

107.

Although it doesn't rain nearly as much in Seattle as the rumors claim, it has been raining a lot recently. So after days and days of rain, seeing the sun and clear blue sky is absolutely glorious.

106.

Cedar tree...taken in Kent, Washington.

105.

The Green River runs close to my apartment complex, and due to a faulty dam upriver, the Army Corps of Engineers has predicted a 30% chance of flooding this winter. King County placed these sandbags on the banks of the river and while they are hideous, we are grateful for the protection.

104.

Fall is my favorite season, and this is one of the reasons why. I love these leaves. Taken in Kent, Washington

103.

I love how it looks like the fallen leaves are still attached to the tree being reflected in the puddle, and the oil slick looks like a cloudy sky. Kent, Washington.

102.

It was raining, and I thought that the reflection of the trees on the ground, with the leaves that had fallen from those same trees, looked really amazing. Taken in Kent, Washington.

101.

As the weather changes and the time change kicks in, for a few weeks I am back to arriving at school when it is still light outside. This is facing west across the athletic fields, Renton, Washington.

100.

The International District in Seattle, formerly known as Chinatown, is a section of Seattle established by Chinese immigrants around the turn of the century. It is not a place I have had much opportunity to explore, but the dragons on the light poles are one of my favorite features.

99.

Seattle is justly famous for it's coffee and while Starbucks may be the most famous of the hundreds of local coffee shops, Tully's isn't far behind - at least in this part of the country.

98.

I love trees. This one is right outside my apartment and in the fall and winter when the sun stays towards the south, it ends up in a lot of my photos.

97.

When you live in a damp climate, you get a lot of moss. The moss this year is vibrantly green and I love the way it looks against the red roof.

96.

While the Northeastern US may have a right to claim the most beautiful fall leaf show, the maple leaves here turn a vibrant, intense gold, and when the sun hits them, the entire tree glows. Happy Veterans Day.

95.

6:30 on a fall morning is really dark. These globe lamps sit outside the front entrance of Renton High School in Renton, Washington. The school is almost 100 years old and has some beautiful architectural details.

94.

a countertop jukebox at the counter at Johnny Rockets, a 50's diner style restaurant at Kent Station in Kent, Washington

93.

neon lighting at night. Armondo's Italian Restaurant, in downtown Renton, Washington

92.

glass balls in the window, an artistic touch at Armondo's in downtown Renton, Washington

91.

If you haven't noticed by now, there is something about the way light acts that attracts me. I am especially fascinated by the way light and glass work together. This was the overhead lighting at an Italian restaurant in Renton, Washington.

90.

I don't know why I like this picture so much, but I do. Again, there is something about the sky here that is incomparable and indescribable. You can almost breathe in the blueness. Taken in downtown Renton, Washington.

89.

There is something about the velvet liquidity of the sky at twilight that is so amazing here. The blue sky here is deeper than in other places I have lived. Taken in downtown Renton, Washington.

88.

One of the best things about fall is football. I liked the high contrast of the 10 yard marker against the turf under the stadium lights.