Pt. Townsend, Flugelhorn Phil, and The Bubble Lady

While cruising Water Street and the beach in Pt. Townsend a few years back, I had the pleasure of photographing a musician as he entertained a crowd of onlookers and listeners. I found out later that he’s Phil Flugehorn and the bubbles behind him were created by Brenda Easley, aka, The Bubble Lady.

As Brenda swayed along the shore creating enormous and colorful floating backdrops, he created an atmosphere of his own while playing requested tunes from the crowd as they sang and shouted for more.

I can’t remember when I’ve been more delighted to attend an impromptu photo shoot then that unforgettable day on the beach, and I’m forever grateful to Brenda for forming the enormous bubble behind Phil – which resembles the shape of the horn…now that’s good karma!

To learn more about Phil, visit his website at www.flugelhornphil.com. And you can find Brenda at www.facebook.com/brenda.easley17.

Johnson Creek Railroad Trestle

Infrared rendition of the Johnson Creek RR Trestle

My apologies, I guess my colorful photo art post yesterday sent the website into a tizzy since the scheduled post didn’t go through until I published it manually…oh well, maybe this black and white image will get things back on track.

Otherwise, I find this walking bridge, aka the railroad trestle, to be photo worthy anytime of year, even in the dead of winter.

A great place to take visiting friends or family, it truly has an interesting history, as the sign indicates, as well as the website, https://peninsulapassage.com/johnson-creek-train-trestle/ :

“410 feet long and 86 feet high, it is the largest railroad trestle on the Olympic Peninsula. It is curved and banked for strength and stability. These two platforms originally held barrels of water for use in the event of a fire. Platforms were built with money raised by friends of Jerry Williamson…1947-2002”

Fast forward to today, and we find it being part of the Olympic Discovery Trail (since 2002) and a beautiful crossing for runners, walkers and bikers. Another reason to tackle the temps and get outdoors!

What if…

I pass by this boat in the Port Angeles boatyard often when driving out to Ediz Hook for bird photography. And while I’ve photographed it several times I always saw it as a black and white image.

My opinion changed only after a trip to Cape Verde, off the coast of Africa last year where colorful boats sat perched by the shoreline and served not only to transport fish but to make a statement about the abundant creativity of the island’s residents.

And so I now see this one as an opportunity to get out the crayons so to speak and to get creative! I hope you enjoy the results as much as I do.

The Perfect Couple

I found these two snuggling up on a snag not long ago, and although a bit far from Sequim (at Semiahmoo), they have plenty of siblings, and/or cousins, in our area. And seeing that we have such clear blue skies as I write this, I couldn’t resist sharing them with you.

Although nothing is ever “perfect” with any couple, I think this pair comes quite close.

Female Northern Harrier

Although not my best image, this photo gives a good indication of the difference between the female and the male Harrier and shows her owl-like facial features.

On their website at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Harrier/ So All About Birds states the following:

‘Northern Harriers are the most owl-like of hawks (though they’re not related to owls). They rely on hearing as well as vision to capture prey. The disk-shaped face looks and functions much like an owl’s, with stiff facial feathers helping to direct sound to the ears’.

Note the white strip across the top of the tail as well, it’s a clear indication of an Northern Harrier, both male and female.

The Grey Ghost

Often seen in open grasslands, this raptor, the Northern Harrier, is a local but a very evasive one.

Catching a glimpse of one is difficult enough, but getting a photograph, and especially a closeup, is uncommon; and catching one in flight a true challenge.

This is the male who while in flight has a more ghostly white appearance with a face resembling an owl although they’re not related. The female is a darker brown with more pronounced owl-like features and is somewhat larger.

Keep an eye out for them in grasslands, marshes, or fields in our area, and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed in watching their acrobatics as they glide, tip and swirl, hunting for their prey: small mammals, small birds, rabbits and ducks.

If you know of a great spot to photograph them, let me know in the comments…please! 😁

Color? Color!

While on our route through Sequim this afternoon, I couldn’t help but think about how dreary things appeared today. So for those of you who are feeling a bit down about gray skies and chilly temperatures, know that I empathize!

And there is color out there, it’s just a bit harder to find this time of year. Fortunately for me, these trumpeters were swimming in the last remains of fall color at Kirner Pond, and close enough for me to capture them with my camera.

And, it appears that love may be in the air – just in time for Valentines’ Day!