Seattle Farmers Market

Our first day in Seattle, Spring 2005. Nobody out and about, and it was late morning. We went during low season. It got busy later, after all the locals were freed from their cubicles, or what-have-you. That is Jennifer in the dark blue down jacket and insouciant pose.

Lens Flare

The circles are called lens flare, and are the result of shooting into the sun. This used to be considered a bad thing until the film "Easy Rider" featured it repeatedly and won some awards along the way. I'm no Dennis Hopper, but I like the way the refractions frame the shot. You never know what you are going to get with this effect, but that is part of the fun.

Pond

I saw a family of ducks on this pond in the Spring of aught five. I hereby dub this pond "Mallard Pond." (But I don't know that they were mallards... Better get out my bird book)

Dandy

Verticle Purple Weed

Too much flash.

Violet weed

With flash

Spider

Speedy little thing

Green spider

It was tough catching her before she crawled out of view.

Spider

This spider popped out from under these flowers.

Yellow!

Another flash/macro shot.

Twins

This shot came out nice with macro and flash turned on.

Mr. B.

Mr. Beetle trudging across the path. I had to avoid stepping on him for good karma. These guys are all over the place!

Blue

I call these bluebells, but I bet that is wrong.

Sunlit

Pretty little honeysuckle type flowers, these are ubiquitous in the Ord Wilderness. I wonder what they are called.

View

What a beautiful vista. This is one of my favorite spots in the Ord Wilderness Area. Last Spring this pond was full of water. On a recent visit it was barely moist, oh well.

Lizard hiding in mid-path

Hi mister lizard! This guy ducked into this hole, which happened to be in the middle of the hiking path. I bet he scurried away after we passed.

Pink Flower

Another weed. These are fairly common in the Spring.

Weeds

I know they are weeds. I like the way the light is hitting them.

Remains of the Day Lunchbox

Yes, it is an official Remains of the Day lunchbox. No, it is not real. Yes, my photoshopping skills are nonexistent. If you don't "get it," watch the movie "Waiting for Guffman," if not for an explanation, for some fine entertainment.

Jack

This jack rabbit was willing to stand still long enough for me to snap his photo. He took off like a shot about twenty-three milliseconds later. This is right outside my house, near my tiny back yard last Spring. There were a couple wee ones around now and then, so he was probably their daddy or mommy. We haven't seen any bunnies since we've had the dogs, but I'm sure they're still hanging out nearby.

The Lizard King

This little guy posed for me for several minutes. It was a warm day, and he would barely move when nudged with a twig.
I'm afraid he was all done in, destined to be the next scavenger's meal.

Wild flowers

Wild flowers out in the Ord Wilderness Area, formerly Fort Ord, Monterey County.

This is in my "backyard," about 2 miles from my home. Shot last May.

Sexay!

Seattle, 1995.

Kong

Lester loves to play with his Kong. If you don't have one for your dog, I suggest you get one. Stuff some treats inside, like dog biscuits or even peanut butter or Cheeze Whiz, and your dog will work on getting the treat for hours. This stimulates a dog's instinct to work for food, and keeps him engaged, so he doesn't spend his time redecorating your living room.

Mister Cool

Yeah, ok, so he didn't exactly cooperate...

Yeah, so? What are you gonna do about it?

After we found out Pete's real name, we stopped calling him "Jolly," and started spoiling him. Here he is making himself comfortable on our bed, which quickly became his domain.

On the fence...

My niece Violet on the fence in front of her new home in Ramona, California.

Peek-a-boo...

I see you! My niece Olivia in front of her new home in Ramona.

Pete at the dog park.

Pete at the dog park. Short legs, long tail!

Pete

This is Pete, our first foster dog. He went back home to Mississippi to his owner, Johnny Speed. (Not my photo.)

Serious

Ok, here's another photo of Lester. In the other one, his head looks huge, because the photographer was standing too close to him. Doesn't he look serious, and stuborn? He is both. (Not my photo.)

Lester

This is our new dog, Lester. He's a real handful! He was going to be put to sleep, and was given a pardon by the Animal Friends Rescue Project. You can read more about him on their Web site: AFRP. He is about 11 months old, and loves to play. He likes to dig holes, and may be part Rat Terrier and part Australian Cattle dog. (Not my photo.)