05 Nov 19 No triptych. Today we'll take a look at the hillside ground cover color present near the summit of Stevens Pass each October. As you can appreciate it varies time wise year by year, but it is always some time in October. This year it was in early October which was a bit surprising as all the other color occurred later in the month. Nice part about that is you get a longer season as we did this year with really vibrant color but the weather did its best to make it challenging. (Here in Eglon the color has just recently peaked and the leaves are making for some very colorful side roads and yards.) This shot was one we got between the rains close to noon; thought we might get something even better later in the afternoon but the weather said nope, be happy with what you have. So that was that. The follow on trip to try again was foiled by a combo of snowfall and an over turned 18 wheeler blocking all lanes and interrupting power for many miles. Have to try my luck again in 2020. This is basically straight from the camera save for a small amount of contrast enhancement. Almost a Fire Nikon D500; 18 - 200; Aperture Priority; ISO 800; 1/320 sec @ f / 7.1.
07 Nov 19 Back to left coast color again for today's offering and once again from Tumwater Canyon but with a twist. It being Theatrical Thursday Jan decided to pick out something with a bit if a flare. Of all the trees in our part of the country, Vine Maples take first place for both color and vibrancy. They are small, more like shrub than tree, but definitely a tree, they are the first to turn in the fall and put on the best show. Peak color ranges from a bright orange-red to a rich red and can vary from year to year on the same tree. Regardless of the particular hue of red, they never disappoint. This year they were exceptionally red and bright, likely the best display I've enjoyed in years! There is a location in the Tumwater Canyon a few miles west of the rest area a the bottom of Stevens Pass where there resides a small grouping of these trees sitting atop a rocky shelf at the edge of the road. I photograph this group of trees every year always hoping for something spectacular; this year it happened. You won't experience what we did, but this creative approach doesn't alter the color or brightness of the leaves on the day we visited. So you at least get the idea. Other than the creative application, courtesy of Topaz Simplify 4, this is straight from the camera. Solar Flare Nikon D500; 18 - 200; Aperture Priority; ISO 500; 1/640 sec @ f / 7.1.
01 Nov 19 It's All Hallows Eve as I write this which means, at least from my perspective, that we've officially entered the holiday season. We don't get any trick-or-treaters where we live although we just had some jerk come speeding down our narrow unlit driveway looking for the party! You can bet we exchanged some words!! So, since we aren't doing anything costume-wise or partying, Jan thought the the image for today could use a little costuming so that's what I'm sharing. About 4 years back Jan decided that she wanted to try her green thumb with dahlias and needless to say she has done a yeoman's job with that project. What started out as a small area by the garage of perhaps 4 x 6 feet has now morphed into an area in the front yard of maybe 10 x 6 and growing yearly. It's great because I have my own arboretum in which to photograph flowers either on the stem or cut and in the studio. This is a shot of one in the yard I took a couple weeks back that was just starting to open. As late in the year as it is there are still dozens of blossoms available to shoot and more on the way. But that may end soon as we are now experiencing temps in the low 30s. Time will tell. Other than the creative application, courtesy of Topaz Simplify, this is straight from the camera. Painted Nikon D500; 18 - 200 - 200; Aperture priority; ISO 500; 1/125 sec @ f / 9.
