Here they are, photos from the third week of June. I really liked the ones I got this week, especially the deer, the robin and the cows. It was an action-packed week, especially if you throw in the Keeley action shot. Good practice for Africa…less than two weeks to go.
My other passion, besides photography, is cooking, which I truly love. Over the years, I’ve realized that this is how I express my affection for friends and relatives. I enjoy cooking for those I care about… or even like. Tomorrow, we’re having friends over, meaning I spent some of today preparing and will spend a lot of tomorrow cooking, and I LOVE IT! These books are just a few of the cookbooks I own; I got rid of many more when we moved three years ago. I kept the ones I really love, even though I hardly ever use them. Most of my best recipes (even the ones that came out of these books) are on my iPad in an app called Paprika, maybe the best app I own.
I took an afternoon walk on a trail next to the Snoqualmie River in Duvall, a small town just east of where we live on Redmond Ridge.
It was a sunny, dusty day, but I captured some good greenery shots before they turn brown later this summer.
The robin and cow shots are just me practicing my wildlife skills for Africa. Two weeks from tomorrow…we fly!
A quick shot I took today with my phone while my son and I attended a Seattle Mariners game. My kids and I have been going to Mariners games since the early 1990s. My son and I aim to catch at least one game each year. This year we’ve already been to two. It’s one of the ways I’ve bonded with both my kids. It’s been a while since I’ve gone to a game with my daughter, but that was her gift to me for Father’s Day, so we will be going (with Joel and the grandkids) in August. If you don’t live in Seattle, T-Mobile Park is gorgeous. It’s a great place to watch a game, and today we had really good seats.
Took Keeley to the dog park today. She had a great time, and it gave me a chance to practice my action photography. I think she is happiest when I throw a ball for her. One thing we have learned is that we have to limit how many times we throw the ball. With her hip dysplasia, if we throw the ball more than that, she can barely walk the next day. As it is, she is panting beyond belief after only ten throws.
The two teens and a fawn.
The two teens
This is mom.
You may notice that there are five deer: a mother lying down, two teenagers (the ones with antlers—probably born last year), and two fawns—probably born this year.
On Fridays, I drive into downtown Redmond to grocery shop. I visit our local supermarket (QFC), Trader Joe’s, and on some days, PCC (our local food co-op). This morning, I drove by a large grassy area that I pass every time I head downtown. Today, I looked over and saw seven deer just standing there, eating grass. Unfortunately, there was no place to pull over, so I had to pass on photographing them. Ninety minutes later, as I was headed home, I was amazed to see that they were still there, still eating grass. Now, with very little traffic, I was able to pull off the road, get out, and shoot to my heart’s content. That’s why you get five photos today.
Yesterday, another person doing a 365 in the group that started with me back in January mentioned that he had taken his granddaughter to the Strawberry Festival in their Colorado city. Unfortunately, he said there were no strawberries. Well, maybe that’s because they are all here. This year, we have had the most amazing strawberries: sweet, dark, and juicy. The young lady who has sold them to me for the last three weeks at our Saturday Market told me that this varietal is a darker and sweeter strawberry, but they don’t last as long as the less sweet ones. I told her it was fine if they didn’t last as long because we always eat them in no time at all.
While out for a walk today with Keeley, we reached a wooden walkway over the final section of a lake that I have shared photos of previously. It was a beautiful day with a lovely sky. We had rain all day yesterday and this morning, but by the time we walked, it began to clear up. Later, it warmed up for a while, which made us both feel hot as we walked on the streets. Fortunately, I had brought water with me for her. I must say I took this with my phone using Apple’s version of Camera RAW, and I am NOT happy with the quality. It has become clear that Apple’s RAW is not meant for everything. That’s why I shoot with my Nikon—for better control over my photos.
I was born in Hoboken. I am an American. Photography is my passion. The search for Truth my obsession. —Alfred Stieglitz