Pretty Pix

St Francis Mission

2012-02-12T02:11:00.000-08:00

On the open prairies just north of us

is this beautiful mission

St Francis Xavier

established in 1838

Have a wonderful Sunday !

Of Yesterday

2012-02-11T01:50:00.000-08:00

This old one room schoolhouse sits quietly in the countryside

From chalkboards to school desks to artwork on the walls

so much remains intact

Like everyone just upped and left

When I discover these abandoned treasures

I take only photos

and leave everything as I found it

Remainders of the Day

2012-02-10T02:55:00.003-08:00

In 1980 Mt St Helens erupted with such force

it devastated over 150 square miles

of pristine forest in just 6 minutes

The total energy output was equivalent to

400 million tons of TNT

This fascinating casualty of that day

sits precariously on the bank of Coldwater Lake

which was born of the volcano

I live in the valley below Mt St Helens

here in Washington State

Tiny Signs of Spring

2012-02-09T02:24:00.000-08:00

The Pussy Willows are slowly waking up

I dream of Spring

Lofty Escapades

2012-02-08T02:58:00.000-08:00

I can't help myself

I just have to explore

nooks and crannies

high and low

To Pause and Reflect

2012-02-07T02:07:00.000-08:00

Spiritually calm

otherworldly quiet

One cannot but

pause and reflect

Coldwater Lake

Mt St Helens

Washington State

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Weekly Top Shot

Fly Like An Eagle

2012-02-06T02:54:00.000-08:00

Into the future ~

The Magnificent Bald Eagle

Daydreaming

2012-02-05T02:25:00.000-08:00

Find a little time

to daydream

A Walk in the Park

2012-02-04T02:24:00.000-08:00

Hope you have a happy weekend ~

' Tis the Moon I See ~

2012-02-03T02:41:00.000-08:00

and the weekend on yonder horizon ~

A Parting Gift ~

2012-02-02T01:48:00.000-08:00

Heading home I turned to see

the clouds had parted

revealing Mt St Helens and

the Toutle Valley below ~

Flying Free

2012-02-01T03:16:00.000-08:00

Proud and Strong

2012-01-31T02:47:00.000-08:00

Trees in winter are so boldly beautiful ~

Coldwater Lake Revisited

2012-01-30T01:56:00.000-08:00

Drove up to Coldwater Lake Saturday

at the base of Mt St Helens

It was so clear and crisp and still

Well worth the semi-treacherous road conditions ~

Misty Mornin'

2012-01-29T02:32:00.000-08:00

Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday ~

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Peaceful Paths

2012-01-28T02:31:00.000-08:00

We all seek them

May we all find and walk them

Have a joyful weekend ~

Lakeside

2012-01-27T02:32:00.000-08:00

These trees were all leaning towards the lake

It's amazing they don't fall over, and into.

I'm really having fun playing around with HDR

I love the depth and clarity it gives an image ~

Ravage and Renewal

2012-01-26T02:36:00.000-08:00

The forest slowly returns ~

A Mountain in Recovery

2012-01-25T01:39:00.000-08:00

Mt St Helens erupted in 1980

blasting away the north face

along with its beautiful peak

For over 30 years we've watched the mountain

and surrounding wilderness slowly recover

I'm in awe of nature ~

Shades of Gray

2012-01-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

Parallel Worlds

2012-01-23T00:32:00.000-08:00

I love playing with reflections

especially when the sun is shining ~

Somewhere ~

2012-01-22T02:25:00.000-08:00

Shadowland

2012-01-21T02:29:00.000-08:00

Have a happy weekend !

Winter Blues

2012-01-20T02:27:00.000-08:00

We had a foot of snow here

Gorgeous !

Then it started to rain and

bye-bye snow in the lowlands

I'll trek up to the mountains

for snow photo ops ~

A Sprinkling of Sunshine

2012-01-19T03:24:00.000-08:00

I've been silently visiting many of your blogs

as I'm often unable to leave comments.

I can at some but not others.

Hopefully Blogger will fix this soon ~

Away From the Things of Man

2012-01-18T01:40:00.000-08:00

A morning walk

and I'm ready for (almost) anything ~

Frozen in Time

2012-01-17T02:14:00.000-08:00

Of the past

and long forgotten ~

Dusk

2012-01-16T00:52:00.000-08:00

I used Topaz Adjust to add an HDR effect to this single shot image.

I love the Topaz series, its possibilities are endless ~

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Wintering Over

2012-01-15T02:29:00.000-08:00

I love playing around with HDR. It adds depth and clarity to most images. I try to stay in the natural realm, though I can get carried away.

Quiet Waters ~

2012-01-14T02:49:00.000-08:00

Some have asked about my techniques, and I'm flattered! I'll attempt to pass along some of what I've learned, from so many of you.
I shoot in RAW and use Photoshop Elements 9 and Topaz (the bundle) which I love.
I mostly shoot in HDR (high dynamic range).. but not always. I'm still learning what to shoot which way.
HDR is taking three (or more) photos of the same scene in three exposures (-2, 0, +2) to create a single image. I use Photomatix Pro for processing, tone-mapping.
I shot this image in HDR and processed it pretty much straight forward.

A Walk in the Park

2012-01-13T02:37:00.000-08:00

Lake Sacajawea

and more gorgeous weather ~

The Blue Door

2012-01-12T02:54:00.000-08:00

What lies behind ?

Wishes Hopes Dreams

If we but free the mind ~

Afternoon Walk at the Wetlands

2012-01-11T02:44:00.000-08:00

Like so much of the world

our winter has been very mild so far

I wouldn't mind a teeny-tiny bit of winter ~

Where Time Forgot ~

2012-01-10T00:56:00.000-08:00

Remains pristine ~

Monday Monday ~

2012-01-09T03:29:00.000-08:00

It's a bright new day ~

Hope yours will be a good one !

Incoming

2012-01-08T02:29:00.000-08:00

Canadian Geese

Making their happy noises ~

A Winters Pause

2012-01-07T01:43:00.000-08:00

Have a happy weekend !

Rain Forest Dreaming

2012-01-06T02:07:00.000-08:00

To wander and wonder

and be ~

The Hush of Winter

2012-01-05T02:28:00.000-08:00

The wetlands

quietly waiting for Spring ~

Tired and Worn

2012-01-04T02:21:00.000-08:00

But the stories it could tell ~

Tumultuous

2012-01-03T02:03:00.000-08:00

I love the sound of

rapidly moving waters ~

Quiet Time

2012-01-02T02:55:00.000-08:00

A quiet walk

refreshes the mind

and soul ~

Fresh and New and Wondrous

2012-01-01T02:14:00.000-08:00

A fresh new year

of wonders to explore

May You Have a Wonderful New Year ~

2011-12-31T02:13:00.000-08:00

I have been blessed with many new and wonderful friendships this year.

You, who shared your talents, your knowledge, your dreams, your very selves.

You, who helped brighten a light inside me that was growing dim.

For that I will always be grateful.

Happy New Year !

May 2012 bring you joy peace and light ~

The Rainy Season Has Arrived

2011-12-30T03:12:00.000-08:00

The winter rains have arrived

to replenish our rivers and creeks

and invigorate our waterfalls ~

A little shooting info:

Camera (hand held) was set to f/11 at 1/15sec, ISO was 200

Filter was a Hoya UV haze.. It was a misty morning.

I shoot in RAW, convert to Tiff for Photoshop, then to JPEG.

Thanks for your interest!

Majestic

2011-12-29T02:42:00.000-08:00

Astoria Bridge

Spanning the Columbia River

Joining Oregon and Washington State

Dangling About

2011-12-28T02:52:00.000-08:00

There are still a few leaves dangling about

intriguingly ~

Sunlight Filtering Through

2011-12-27T03:04:00.000-08:00

Sunlight found a small opening

in the canopy

of the rain forest ~

Ripe and Ready ~

2011-12-26T03:03:00.000-08:00

For the birds ~

Serenity Is

2011-12-25T02:32:00.000-08:00

A wooly-warm

winter weekend walk

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Benjamin Sends Tidings of Joy

2011-12-24T02:25:00.000-08:00

Benjamin Hur

Our local resident camel

Just stopped by

to wish you all

A Very Merry Christmas

Isn't he a cutie !

The Quietness of Fog

2011-12-23T02:57:00.000-08:00

Walking the wetlands

in the quietness and stillness

of a heavy fog

Centers my Soul ~

Merry Christmas !

2011-12-22T03:01:00.000-08:00

Wishing all my dear friends

A most joyous Christmas

and may 2012 bring you gladness and light ♥

A Way Out Wild Weed

2011-12-21T02:49:00.000-08:00

And a wee bit psychedelic ~

What Secrets Do You Hold ~

2011-12-20T02:05:00.000-08:00

With quiet patience

you can hear

the whispered secrets

this little shack holds dear ~

Hidden Treasures

2011-12-19T02:28:00.000-08:00

Deep in the Rain Forests

of the Olympic Peninsula ~

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You Light Up My Life ~

2011-12-18T00:12:00.000-08:00

Thank you !

Peacefully Pastoral

2011-12-17T00:55:00.000-08:00

I wish you a

peacefully pastoral weekend ~

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The Last Leaf ~

2011-12-16T02:59:00.000-08:00

Crisp and proud !

Clouds in the Crater

2011-12-15T02:01:00.000-08:00

Mt St Helens

Ever changing

Always beautiful ~

Twilight Time

2011-12-14T03:01:00.000-08:00

Time for the warmth of a roaring fire

and a hot toddy

or two ~

Raindrops Are Falling

2011-12-13T03:25:00.000-08:00

Cleansing comforting rain ~

Tones of the Day

2011-12-12T03:15:00.000-08:00

The sun broke through the clouds

just before dusk

Creating deliciously moody tones ~

Blue on Blue

2011-12-11T01:40:00.000-08:00

May it forever be beautiful ~

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In Afternoon Stillness

2011-12-10T02:28:00.000-08:00

Have a Happy Weekend !

Second Star to the Right ~

2011-12-09T01:23:00.000-08:00

I believe in magic !

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Brightly Shine

2011-12-08T02:34:00.000-08:00

Watching over the sea

and the brave who sail it ~

Lighthouse

Tillamook , Oregon

Lost Boys

2011-12-07T02:52:00.000-08:00

This is Lost Boys Beach

To get to Lost Boys

we had to find our way through this tunnel

at the bottom of a high cliff

It was excavated around 1904

An amazing feat for the time

It was dark and very rugged

and a bit spooky in there

But I loved these little portholes

A wonderfully fun adventure !

On the Other Side of the Mountain ~

2011-12-06T02:57:00.000-08:00

We knew the Pacific was over there

As we were heading west

Over the Coastal Mountain Range

But we didn't realize we'd end up right on Hwy 101

The Pacific Coast Highway

And in an area we hadn't yet explored !

There were so many gorgeous beaches

our senses were on overload

A really fun long weekend out and about !

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Elves and Fairies For Sure Dwell Here

2011-12-05T00:15:00.000-08:00

Thanks for all your wonderful comments !

The moss was indeed a screaming green

Down a little ravine ~ A beautiful mountain stream tumbled along

We hope to return to this idyllic place next spring

the snows are coming and all this will soon be inaccessible.

Tomorrow I'll show you what we found

on the other side of the mountain ~

Moss Hollow

2011-12-04T00:09:00.000-08:00

Went out exploring

found a road we'd never been on

up a mountain and down the other side

White knuckled it a bit

but what we found was beyond beautiful !

I'm King of the Wetlands !

2011-12-03T00:11:00.000-08:00

And I can make pretty swirly circles ~

Have a super wonderful

fun weekend !

It's Gnarly ~

2011-12-02T01:27:00.000-08:00

Have you ever claimed a tree

to be your very own ~

I have and this is it !

It's at the wetlands, it's old and gnarly, and I love it.

I talk to it every time I visit.

Hiding in Plain Sight ~

2011-12-01T02:44:00.000-08:00

Happy December !

A Little Sunshine ~

2011-11-30T01:59:00.000-08:00

On a rainy windy November day ~

Divine Reflections

2011-11-29T02:41:00.000-08:00

Beauty is everywhere

in most everything

If we look

we will see ~

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and What's Up

Silently

2011-11-28T02:46:00.000-08:00

Perpetually silently

slipping past

its journey forever

may it last ~

Dockings

2011-11-27T02:52:00.000-08:00

Of yesterday ~

Enchanted Forest

2011-11-26T02:00:00.000-08:00

Hidden away

we came to peek

on shy little elves

playing hide and go seek.

Happy weekend !

Morning Has Broken

2011-11-25T02:22:00.000-08:00

A hint of morning mist

welcomes the day.

Over the River and Through the Woods

2011-11-23T17:53:00.000-08:00

Through blogging I've made so many wonderful friends

to share with... to learn from.

And I am ever so grateful

so thankful

for each and every one of you !

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Lazy Afternoon

2011-11-22T12:41:00.000-08:00

A wonderful place

to share with a good friend

read an intriguing book

or just to

take a softly sweet nap ~

Just Floating Along

2011-11-21T02:43:00.000-08:00

On a quiet afternoon ~

Snow in the Mountains

2011-11-20T02:07:00.000-08:00

Fresh fallen snow blanketed the mountains ~

A sight that makes my heart happy !

Castaways

2011-11-19T02:05:00.000-08:00

Or wannabe

garden art ~

Topaz Adjust 5 and Photoshop 9

for HDR effect.

Sharing with Photo Art Friday

Coal Creek

2011-11-18T01:13:00.000-08:00

Heavy rains have added

drama and dimension to these small but gorgeous falls.

I took this pic yesterday ~

in some of that pouring rain ...

And loved every moment !

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Afternoon Delights

2011-11-17T02:36:00.000-08:00

Trestle for north-south main line

crossing the Cowlitz River ~

Late afternoon

just before the sun sank into the west.

Foggy Fields

2011-11-16T02:18:00.000-08:00

A frothy fog

was forming fast.

Sharing with What's Up Wednesday

Take Me Home ~ Country Road

2011-11-15T01:55:00.000-08:00

A storm is heading in ~

So fleeting are the beauties of autumn

I guess that's why

we cherish them so.

Beachcombing

2011-11-14T01:25:00.000-08:00

Oh how I love

the Oregon Coast !

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Quietly Reflecting

2011-11-13T02:16:00.000-08:00

I love playing with reflections !

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Still Going

2011-11-12T02:05:00.000-08:00

Tired and worn

Still going strong

Happy weekend ~ dear friends !

Freedom

2011-11-11T01:52:00.000-08:00

This beauty graced my presence at the wetlands today

I believe it's a red-tailed hawk.

I saw freedom in him

A freedom we all share

thanks to Veterans alive and not

from many lands

of many wars

throughout all time.

Landing Gears Down

2011-11-10T02:34:00.000-08:00

We're usually all soggy and cold by now

Instead our weather has been gorgeous

Pinch me !

A Dreamy Fall Day

2011-11-09T01:19:00.000-08:00

To experience

the beauties of nature.

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A Fence Full of Flowers

2011-11-08T02:39:00.000-08:00

These cuties are still blooming away

but alas, not for long

Any day now we'll have our first frosty night and

good-bye Nasturtiums ~

See you next Spring !

Heading Home

2011-11-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

I love when the ground

is littered with leaves.

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Simplicity

2011-11-06T01:22:00.000-07:00

May your Sunday be

Simply beautiful !

Coldwater Lake ~ Mt St Helens

2011-11-05T01:18:00.000-07:00

Late afternoon

I was the only one at the lake ~

it was magical !

This short boardwalk was built by the National Park Service.

Thank you National Park Service . .

I love this place !

Coldwater Lake was born from the eruption of Mt St Helens, in 1980.

March of the Mushrooms

2011-11-04T01:49:00.000-07:00

These little guys looked so animated

I couldn't help contributing ~ a wee bit.

Happy Friday !

Sharing with Photo Art Friday