Wordless Wednesday: Spring in the Cattails
Blossoms and Time
The creative process is not like a situation where you get struck by a single lightning bolt. You have ongoing discoveries, and there’s ongoing creative revelations. Yes, it’s really helpful to be marching toward a specific destination, but, along the way, you must allow yourself room for your ideas to blossom, take root, and grow.
Carlton Cuse
I’m looking at a calendar tonight and am shocked to admit it’s been one month since my last post… wow. I can honestly say it’s not for lack of desire, I miss everyone here, and I’m really tempted to say it’s because I’ve been allowing myself room for ideas to blossom which is partly true but really the biggest obstacle has been time limitations. I have plenty of new ideas and future post topics are scribbled on notes all over my office but in reality I’ve been buried in work and family obligations and after three years of illustrated posts it’s actually happened – I’ve run out of pictures. Yikes!
Now that our days are longer and our weather is (a little) drier I have a healthy list of places I want to visit and photograph so things should improve soon but in the interim I hope you enjoy this pretty view of cherry blossoms snapped quickly last night while Finn pulled and tugged on his leash trying to chase every single bird in the neighborhood. 🙂
Hellebore
While local garden centers are filled with pretty displays of spring bulbs and primroses I’m starting to worry about the mostly dormant state of my own yard. Plants that usually bud and flower in early February show no signs of growth and my weeds are the only green things that look truly happy but this one brave hellebore is giving me hope for a brighter season to come.
Taken with my iPhone 7+ and edited in Snapseed and VSCO.
For more examples of mobile macro photography please enjoy Sally’s latest post over at Lens and Pens by Sally.
Wordless Wednesday: Happy Earth Day 2015
A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up March With Hipstamatic (week 3)
Just when we thought this strange, sun filled winter would last forever spring arrived and brought some much needed rain to the Pacific Northwest. This week was exactly how March should feel in Washington with lots of fresh green growth, wet petals on the ground and flashes of bright sunlight.
Sunday set a record for one day March rainfall and I spent most of the day inside working through my never-ending to-do list with a brief dash outside for a photo of rhododendron leaves from the back deck. Monday’s photo documents some of the pretty cherry blossoms knocked to the ground after Sunday’s rain and Tuesday evening I stood under the scoreboard at Ryan’s middle school to read and appreciate the new banner hanging from the scoreboard. “Where sportsmanship is an expectation. So please, let the players play, let the coaches coach and let the spectators be positive.”
A dry Wednesday brought the opportunity to photograph one of our red azaleas ready to flower and just when I thought I didn’t have an interesting subject for Thursday’s photo I drove by this old willow tree. A quick dash through Heritage Park and I had my shot for the day. Friday was the official first day of spring and I captured the wet change of seasons looking over Westlake Park in Seattle while Saturday found John in a quiet moment enjoying some welcome sun in what is typically Finn’s favorite spot on the stairs.
Each photo is straight from Hipstamatic’s “shake to randomize” function and posted without any additional editing. If you like a particular combination and want to try it at home just click on the image to see the lens and filter used. I’ll be back next Sunday with 7 new photos and maybe even a few new favorites!
The Edmonds Spring Garden Market
One of my favorite ways to spend a few hours is walking through a Farmer’s Market. Lucky for me Edmonds has a wonderful space in the Downtown area that hosts both a spring and summer market. The Spring Garden Market opened Saturday, May 4th and continues every Saturday until the Summer Market opens, June 29-Oct. 5. The Spring market is a smaller gathering and includes produce from some wonderful farms as well as amazing flowers, fresh eggs, specialty jams and honey, pasta, cheese, baked goods, wine and hot doughnuts. What more could you want?
Northwest Frame of Mind 