It was just after dawn this morning when I spotted a half dozen big bull elk out in the pasture. With no time for setting up a tripod in the gloomy light, I tried to get some shots. Only one amounted to anything, and it wasn't much. Then these two wandered by, so I tried again. Same story. Too dark, and my hands too shaky to get a good, focused picture. But I had fun trying.
Just like the elk, these guys will be back. Actually, the deer never really leave. They're like our quiet neighbors.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Ghost Elk
I was up before dawn this morning and spotted a half dozen big bulls out in our pasture. All with enormous racks. Didn't have time to use a tripod but I attempted to get some shots anyway. All failed. This was the only one to amount to anything, and it's pretty bad.
Funny how the smaller the image, the better it looks when the focus and other attributes are off.
Still had fun trying to get pictures and not scare them off. They all eventually ran off as I tried to be discreet with my Nikon D40. At that time of day on a Saturday morning, it is deathly quiet. The sound of the shutter firing is like a gunshot. But I know they'll be back.
Funny how the smaller the image, the better it looks when the focus and other attributes are off.
Still had fun trying to get pictures and not scare them off. They all eventually ran off as I tried to be discreet with my Nikon D40. At that time of day on a Saturday morning, it is deathly quiet. The sound of the shutter firing is like a gunshot. But I know they'll be back.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Learning To Hike Quickly
The weather was great again today in Hobart, so after work I forced myself to get up and go hike for a couple of hours. Since the Taylor Mountain Trail is just down the road two miles, I drove down and started out. It's all uphill the first mile or so and while that doesn't sound too tough for most, for this flabby old computer idiot it's tough enough. Just enough to get my blood pumping and lungs working. Hopefully, I can keep this up for awhile.
It all started with geocaching, but that's just the premise. The real goal is to get out, get off my butt, and get moving. So far, it's working.
By the way, this was taken with my first generation iPhone, then run through the CameraBag app (I threw text on in Photoshop). Thanks to Chase Jarvis (chasejarvis.com) and some timely iPhone tips, I now know to frame the shot with the button already pushed. Then let go when the shot is ready. DOH! I am SO stupid! Why didn't I notice that before?! SO simple.
It all started with geocaching, but that's just the premise. The real goal is to get out, get off my butt, and get moving. So far, it's working.
By the way, this was taken with my first generation iPhone, then run through the CameraBag app (I threw text on in Photoshop). Thanks to Chase Jarvis (chasejarvis.com) and some timely iPhone tips, I now know to frame the shot with the button already pushed. Then let go when the shot is ready. DOH! I am SO stupid! Why didn't I notice that before?! SO simple.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Kira's First Swing
Here it is, the middle of January and the weather's so nice our grandkids are outside playing in the sun. After all the snow, rain, and flooding this is heaven.
Kira turns two in April. Her brother, Kelton turns four in March. The last time it was nice enough outside to play, Kira would have nothing to do with the swings. Now, it's a different story.
Spring and summer should be fun this year.
Kira turns two in April. Her brother, Kelton turns four in March. The last time it was nice enough outside to play, Kira would have nothing to do with the swings. Now, it's a different story.
Spring and summer should be fun this year.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Hobart = Heaven
For anyone who's never been to Hobart in Washington state, this is the perfect place to view it. A once thriving logging community is now a simple hamlet with mountains in the background and small farms, livestock, wildlife and families below. The community you see between Mount Rainier in the distance and where I shot this is Hobart. This trail takes you above it with panoramic views in all directions. I could even see the highest skyscraper in downtown Seattle from here. It was behind me.
On this day it was quite breezy, but so incredibly warm. After recent record setting snow and torrential rain and flooding, it was like a dream come true in the middle of winter. Just wish I'd been there earlier in the day for better light. The trail is easy to navigate, but a bit steep if you’re not used to it. Those on horseback or mountain bike will have no problem at all.
If you are inclined to visit, follow the Issaquah-Hobart Road south from Issaquah until you get to the Highway 18 interchange. The trailhead is clearly marked. There's plenty of parking, many trails, and more than a few geocaches up there. Horses, kids, hikers, mountain bikers are all welcome. Those with strollers or wheelchairs should probably go down the road a few miles to Landsburg and the start of the Cedar River Trail. It's much easier.
By the way, The Orchard Compound is just off to the left in this image. We’re up against the Cedar River Watershed, where Seattle and surrounding communities get much of their drinking water. Much of the forest in the left of this image is the watershed. One of these days I’ll have to arrange to be up there while someone is out back of our barn burning something smokey so we can pinpoint our little place with Mount Rainier in the background. It’s on my list of things to do.
On this day it was quite breezy, but so incredibly warm. After recent record setting snow and torrential rain and flooding, it was like a dream come true in the middle of winter. Just wish I'd been there earlier in the day for better light. The trail is easy to navigate, but a bit steep if you’re not used to it. Those on horseback or mountain bike will have no problem at all.
If you are inclined to visit, follow the Issaquah-Hobart Road south from Issaquah until you get to the Highway 18 interchange. The trailhead is clearly marked. There's plenty of parking, many trails, and more than a few geocaches up there. Horses, kids, hikers, mountain bikers are all welcome. Those with strollers or wheelchairs should probably go down the road a few miles to Landsburg and the start of the Cedar River Trail. It's much easier.
By the way, The Orchard Compound is just off to the left in this image. We’re up against the Cedar River Watershed, where Seattle and surrounding communities get much of their drinking water. Much of the forest in the left of this image is the watershed. One of these days I’ll have to arrange to be up there while someone is out back of our barn burning something smokey so we can pinpoint our little place with Mount Rainier in the background. It’s on my list of things to do.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Cold, Hard Cache
My three-year-old grandson, Kelton and I went out today for what’s fast becoming our weekly geocaching adventure. This time we stayed close to home. We drove down to the start of the Cedar River Trail at Landsburg. That's about three miles away from home. This is where Seattle and surrounding areas get most of their drinking water. They suck it out of the Cedar River at Landsburg, send it down a huge pipe to the Lake Youngs Reservoir near Renton, then from there it goes out to Seattle and surrounding areas.
The trail is the old railroad right of way. Years ago, we used to walk along the river when the tracks were still there. We even have a couple of old glass insulators from the telegraph poles that lined the route. All of that is long gone now and the trail is great. It runs all the way to Renton, crosses some old trestles along the way, and ties into all the other big trails in the area. Very nice.
Today’s find was hidden near one of those stream gauge sites. It has a zip line across the river and they use the site to gauge the flow of the river. After all the recent snow and rain and flooding, the river was still running very high and fast today. Our hike was just shy of two miles, round trip from truck to cache and back. An easy hike, but Kelton’s little legs were giving out toward the end. But he made it. He’s turning into a pretty good hiker and treasure hunter, even when the weather’s cold.
The trail is the old railroad right of way. Years ago, we used to walk along the river when the tracks were still there. We even have a couple of old glass insulators from the telegraph poles that lined the route. All of that is long gone now and the trail is great. It runs all the way to Renton, crosses some old trestles along the way, and ties into all the other big trails in the area. Very nice.
Today’s find was hidden near one of those stream gauge sites. It has a zip line across the river and they use the site to gauge the flow of the river. After all the recent snow and rain and flooding, the river was still running very high and fast today. Our hike was just shy of two miles, round trip from truck to cache and back. An easy hike, but Kelton’s little legs were giving out toward the end. But he made it. He’s turning into a pretty good hiker and treasure hunter, even when the weather’s cold.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
One Of Those Days
Today was one of those days. No, not one of THOSE days. It was one of those days you savor, like a fine wine. It was good.
It started, as all our days do, very early in the morning. Joyce went to work in downtown Seattle and I got to work at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue. On the way in I stopped at a Starbucks in Issaquah and ran into none other than the legendary Dick Foley. For the uninitiated, Dick was a familiar face on KOMO TV in Seattle back in the 80s and 90s. But before then he was one of the wonderful voices of The Brothers Four, an incredibly popular folk group of the 50 and 60s. I’m happy to say he still looks great and that melodious voice of his is as smooth as ever.
After that, I arrived at The Slough and went through my normal routine of online duties. Managed to help a few fans of Pacific Science Center (where I work), contributed to an ongoing discussion of how to help people, linked up with some people I haven’t heard from in years, and handled a bunch of other issues related to work. All in all, it was a rewarding time. But at the end of my shift I spent about 45 minutes hiking around The Slough and that’s what capped off a great day.
I scored two geocaches, something I’ve become obsessed with as we prepare for a new exhibit at Pacific Science Center this spring. Just hiking around the Mercer Slough Park is rewarding, but finding some caches while you do it is great. Plus, the weather was outstanding! After all the recent snow and rain and flooding, walking around in cold, sunny weather was intoxicating.
Then I came back to Pacific Science Center’s offices at The Slough and had a short, impromptu brainstorming session with some co-workers. My job is to tell the stories of what our people do. Since they spend their time teaching young students how to care for the environment, and then teach others how teach even more people about the same, it’s a great story to tell. Listening to our people talk about what they do was rewarding and renewing. I never tire of it. I came away with new story ideas and an even deeper appreciation for what our organization stands for.
Today is Thursday where I am. Tomorrow is a day off without pay for me. It’s all part of our organization’s painful efforts to deal with the economic realities of this time. That includes layoffs that mean we no longer get to work with some very talented folks. But going through my routines on this day reaffirmed my love of what we do, of my belief in our commitment to lifelong learning, and my desire to try to help others on a daily basis. It’s a simple thing, but enjoyable and rewarding. Today was a great day for me. Hope yours was as well. If not, hopefully tomorrow will be. Let’s make it so.
It started, as all our days do, very early in the morning. Joyce went to work in downtown Seattle and I got to work at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue. On the way in I stopped at a Starbucks in Issaquah and ran into none other than the legendary Dick Foley. For the uninitiated, Dick was a familiar face on KOMO TV in Seattle back in the 80s and 90s. But before then he was one of the wonderful voices of The Brothers Four, an incredibly popular folk group of the 50 and 60s. I’m happy to say he still looks great and that melodious voice of his is as smooth as ever.
After that, I arrived at The Slough and went through my normal routine of online duties. Managed to help a few fans of Pacific Science Center (where I work), contributed to an ongoing discussion of how to help people, linked up with some people I haven’t heard from in years, and handled a bunch of other issues related to work. All in all, it was a rewarding time. But at the end of my shift I spent about 45 minutes hiking around The Slough and that’s what capped off a great day.
I scored two geocaches, something I’ve become obsessed with as we prepare for a new exhibit at Pacific Science Center this spring. Just hiking around the Mercer Slough Park is rewarding, but finding some caches while you do it is great. Plus, the weather was outstanding! After all the recent snow and rain and flooding, walking around in cold, sunny weather was intoxicating.
Then I came back to Pacific Science Center’s offices at The Slough and had a short, impromptu brainstorming session with some co-workers. My job is to tell the stories of what our people do. Since they spend their time teaching young students how to care for the environment, and then teach others how teach even more people about the same, it’s a great story to tell. Listening to our people talk about what they do was rewarding and renewing. I never tire of it. I came away with new story ideas and an even deeper appreciation for what our organization stands for.
Today is Thursday where I am. Tomorrow is a day off without pay for me. It’s all part of our organization’s painful efforts to deal with the economic realities of this time. That includes layoffs that mean we no longer get to work with some very talented folks. But going through my routines on this day reaffirmed my love of what we do, of my belief in our commitment to lifelong learning, and my desire to try to help others on a daily basis. It’s a simple thing, but enjoyable and rewarding. Today was a great day for me. Hope yours was as well. If not, hopefully tomorrow will be. Let’s make it so.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Dark Knight Is Back!
The biggest movie ever? The best movie ever? The best sci-fi movie ever? You could argue the answer is yes to all those if you're talking about The Dark Knight. One unarguable point: this film is best seen on an IMAX screen. And if you're in the Seattle area, it is best seen on the biggest screen in town at Pacific Science Center's Boeing IMAX Theater. If you didn't see it last summer then you owe it to yourself to see it during re-release starting January 23. Awesome is an understatement.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Magnificent Moles
I really hates moles. They tear up The Orchard Compound constantly. But today I discovered they are even more industrious, clever, malicious than I thought.
Almost all the snow and ice from the recent storm is gone, so I went hiking around our place. I'd seen mole hills in the snow but today I saw the tunnels they had been digging UNDER the snow! Crazy! With all the vegetation pressed down, you can see their tunnels that had been dug while there was still lots of snow and ice on top. The tunnels were not quite in the dirt, mostly in the grass and weeds. There is a deep hole there on the right of the image, but the rest were above ground. They were all over the place.
They may drive me crazy, but ya gotta admire their abilities.
Almost all the snow and ice from the recent storm is gone, so I went hiking around our place. I'd seen mole hills in the snow but today I saw the tunnels they had been digging UNDER the snow! Crazy! With all the vegetation pressed down, you can see their tunnels that had been dug while there was still lots of snow and ice on top. The tunnels were not quite in the dirt, mostly in the grass and weeds. There is a deep hole there on the right of the image, but the rest were above ground. They were all over the place.
They may drive me crazy, but ya gotta admire their abilities.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Geocaching Mystery
So, my grandson, Kelton and I headed out to do some geocaching on a very dreary, wet winter day. We had great fun, found two caches, but ran into a bit of a mystery with one of them. If you're a geocacher and can shed some light on this, please let me know.
Here's the deal: I went to geocaching.com with my brand new Garmin Nuvi 500 attached to my MacBook Pro. Found this cache (GC17B78) and clicked the "Send To GPS" link. No problem. But every time I opened the cache on the Nuvi, the device turned off! I thought maybe the GPX file was corrupt somehow, so I overwrote it several times. But it still didn't work. The Nuvi works fine on all the others and we've had no trouble with it at all. It's just this particular cache. Has anyone ever encountered this? Any clue what might be going on?
We ended up just printing the page and walking until we were at the coordinates. It's an easy cache and loaded with lots of good stuff. Sadly, the fish hatchery is covered with mud right now because of recent flooding, but no fish were lost. We look forward to going back when the weather's nice and the mud is gone.
Here's the deal: I went to geocaching.com with my brand new Garmin Nuvi 500 attached to my MacBook Pro. Found this cache (GC17B78) and clicked the "Send To GPS" link. No problem. But every time I opened the cache on the Nuvi, the device turned off! I thought maybe the GPX file was corrupt somehow, so I overwrote it several times. But it still didn't work. The Nuvi works fine on all the others and we've had no trouble with it at all. It's just this particular cache. Has anyone ever encountered this? Any clue what might be going on?
We ended up just printing the page and walking until we were at the coordinates. It's an easy cache and loaded with lots of good stuff. Sadly, the fish hatchery is covered with mud right now because of recent flooding, but no fish were lost. We look forward to going back when the weather's nice and the mud is gone.
One Very Wet Find
My grandson, Kelton and I went geocaching today. A very cold, wet, dreary winter day. But we had great fun. This cache was placed in the shadow of I-90 in the heart of Issaquah, WA. Pretty easy to find, but since this was just his second find and my third, it was perfect for us. One of these days we need to hike that trail. It's the old railroad line that goes up the east side of Lake Sammamish.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Wii Straps? Use 'Em!
For anyone who doubted the veracity of the warnings to use those wrist straps while playing with the Nintendo Wii...we on The Orchard Compound have proof. USE THEM! Our daughter-in-law's brother was bowling and this is the result. Actually, you can't see any damage until you turn it on. Then the wrist-rocket strike is all too apparent. For those who entered the World of Wii this holiday season, a word to the wise. For those who've had one of these wondrous machines for some time (as was the case here), know that it can happen to you, too. Strap them on!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Kelton's First Find
Our family has entered the exciting world of geocaching! I have become obsessed with this fascinating pastime ever since being introduced to it at work. Pacific Science Center hosts an awesome GPS exhibit in spring 2009 and I got hooked while researching the subject. This particular cache was hidden right in the heart of Issaquah. Pretty easy to find. I had previously found one cache with two co-workers in Seattle. This was Kelton's first "treasure hunt" and he was ecstatic. We're looking forward to many more years of a great hobby.
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