En route,

in the air, Mount Rainier pokes through the clouds. Holes appeared where you could see down to the ground.

On the east side of the mountains, the Columbia River catches the late afternoon sun as we move.

Changing planes in Denver, the runway lights create patterns.

I am leaving this morning for a trip to Ohio until Nov 2, so I likely won't be able to load any photos until I get home. NOT lugging this 17" laptop on the airplane ever again!!!

Anyway, I woke up early, and captured this pre-dawn sight - the stars were SO bright. Because of the long exposure, they have a bit of a trail... the light at the horizon is from Seattle to the south. The sun hadn't started to rise yet.

See you soon!

Lots of rain today - during a break, I found stray drops flowing down the madronna trunk, catching a bit of light.

Tiny 'shrooms in the grass.

A line of cars under the denuding poplar trees . . .

I took a detour on my way to a meeting in Seattle, and ended up in a small waterfront park near Everett. The Snohomish River was calm, reflecting an abandoned farm on the other side, with a glimple of fall colors and mountains in the hazy distance.

On this shore, a row of pilings held the shore. Occasional ripples signaled the head of a seal; this is the tidal part of the river. Fishermen drifted by in their boats, trying for the salmon that I saw finning a couple of times.

An ornamental maple tree had already shed it's colorful layer of leaves.

Barb brought over a home-grown purple cabbage - look how dense it is! Lovely patterns and color.

Came upon the barred owl this evening - I think it might be one of this year's young - it just seemed to be less experienced, or something. It wasn't too worried about me, until I got within about 10 feet of it's tree. It was only about 15' above me. Cool!

Down on the earth, the mushrooms are in full . . . er . . . bloom. Not a clue as to what kind they are, and not even thinking about edibles.

Just enjoying the fun shapes and textures.

Someone gave me a mystery twine, and I made a small knotless-netting pouch, to be filled with more of the thistle down. The red is waxed linen for an accent. I'll likely be adding some embellishment to the drawstrings...

Swamp stompin' again - it won't be long before the water fills in again. This gnarled tree breathes the life of the swamp - I had a little fun with my camera.

The hardhack leaves have a natural water repellant, creating glittery jems of the leftover raindrops.

Fall photos - I never get tired of them! Gingko Leaf.

Cut-leaf Maple bonsai.

Picked the last of the apples.

Honeysuckle privet berries.

It was a very interesting weather day - you can see that the sun is shining, raising mist and casting shadows on the lawn while the rain is pouring out of the sky . . . .

. . . and looking the other direction, the rainbow was low in the sky, hiding behind the trees.

The birch trees are among the first to start turning golden, but they do it in clumps, not all at once.

Another night out this week - this time to Seattle for the Northwest Basket Guild meeting. It ran late, though, and I missed the 10:00 ferry. While waiting until 11:00 for the next one, I took the opportunity for some night shots from the dock. Above is the ferry dock, with the car bridge on the left, and the railings of the public dock where I'm standing are in the center.

Looking the other way, the Ivar's Restaurant has lights shining on the beach, where the high tide lapped over the rocks.

The restaurant from further out on the dock.

Today was supposed to be a big weather change, windy and rainy after so much sunny weather. So, in the morning, it was pleasant, then it began raining, but by afternoon, this was the sky, a wide variety of clouds and colors. Of course, a few hours later it's raining hard again. Fall weather for sure!

We had a little class at the Bayview Cash Store tonight - it looks so great all lit up at night!

So then I stopped in the middle of the road and tried to get a shot of the reflectors in the yellow line, but a car approached from behind, and I must have moved the camera too quickly! So, it still makes an interesting photo.

A cluster of mushrooms in the swamp.

Back in the swamp again, this time with Cory, who cleared out this area with his trusty (and sharp) machete. We cleaned up a lot of the deadwood, since this will all be under water in a couple of months. It's fun to explore now - just us and the spiders!!

Spooky swamp tree . . .

Also in the swamp (dry right now) nurse logs support an arch of dense, lichen-covered branches.

You may think I take a lot of sunset and sunrise photos, but each one is different and awe-inspiring to me. I never get tired of seeing the colors, sometimes amazing, other times not even there. But the fact of the sun rising and setting every day, day after day, keeping our little planet warm and cozy, well, that's magic. And I keep watching, day after day . . .

Holmes Harbor - dead calm in the morning, vessel reflections on a mirror surface.

Sunlight glows behind the peeling madronna bark. It is growing tattered, and most of it has come off the trunk. The bright green of the freshly peeled trunk has faded to brown, and will eventually become the rich reddish-brown which will then peel off.

A sunrise cloud wisp.

Another lovely fall day, gentle sunset.
They're planning to blow up the moon tomorrow. What are they thinking? What happens if they break it, changing forever the way our world wobbles??? Haven't they learned how to leave well enough alone?

The setting sun burnishes the tops of these alder trees, foretelling the changing colors of fall. But for now we languish in warm sunny days amid green leaves.

Hints of a long summer coming to an end - insects create a lacey effect contrasted against a tree trunk furry with lichen.

At dusk the crows gather in the tree tops, scolding as I approach; suddenly I'm too close and they're away!

Another lovely day, spent stacking firewood and other household chores. The hops vine drying in the afternoon sun.

And, Jupiter and the Harvest Moon tonight. It's called Harvest moon because it rises early in the evening, actually before sunset, and casts enough light for the farmers to finish their harvesting at this time when they're hurrying to get everything in before winter. I didn't show a photo of it, as I have plenty of moon photos here!

Another nice day - we spent most of the afternoon splitting, loading, unloading and stacking firewood, but it felt good to be outside on such a lovely day, and it's just that much more firewood stocked up for the winter. After, a little wander through the woods. The pond is covered with duckweed, sun shining through the branches creates shadows on this green surface.

More shadows on the bark of the birch tree.

It's the time of year when the sun is rising a bit later, and there is often mist or damp. When the sun is low, the rays filter through the mist. . . . and I'm even awake!

Whidbey Weaver's Guild meeting today. One of the best parts is the Show and Tell! Above is a scarf woven on a computerized loom - the pattern colors show differently on the front and back. The weaver finished the ends by hand, adding beads. Awesome!

There is usually a pretty good turn-out!

Another artist shows the shawl she knitted with her handspun wool. Another amazing item!

Across the field is a new housing development - wonderful colors!