Lime Kiln Lighthouse

Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington

Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington

Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington

Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington

Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington

Friday, October 21, 2011

No. 17 Planespotting at Paine Field Everett, Wa

Paine Field in Everett, WA is the home of Boeing’s largest factory and known best as the test field for the fresh off the line 777, 767, 748, and 787 frames. Daily arrivals included B1 First Flight 737 Next-Gen aircraft, coming in from Moses Lake, performing low missed approaches and touch and goes before they head to King County Airport south of Seattle. A few military p-3 Orions and helicopters can be scene in the pattern as well practicing touch and goes but those happen mainly during the summer time. Even if your not a bonafide avgeek or aviation enthusiast I think you will enjoy your time visiting Paine Field.

At the north end of the field you can stop by Boeing's own Future of Fight Museum, check out their exhibits, gift shop or hop on a bus and start your tour of the Boeing Plant. The visitor parking offers nice views of the flight line. You will be able to see the large Dreamlifter, a modified cargo 747-400 that carries parts for the new 787 Dreamliner parked directly across the runway. As you look south you can see 787s, 777, 747, and new 747-8 parked in their stalls. The sheer size of these transport aircraft make it easy for even a cellphone or point & shoot camera to make a decent image. Depending on delivery schedule you might even find yourself less than a football field away from 787 or 747 parked behind the museum.
On a clear day you can spot Mt. Baker off to the north and Mt. Rainier off to the south behind the control tower. The north parking lot brings you in close for aircraft departing Runway 34L when the wind is out of the north and to landing aircraft on Runway 16R when the wind is out of the south.



Boeing Manufacturing might be the largest tenant at Paine Field but jet aircraft aren't the only metal birds you see. There are two privately owned vintage warbird museums located at the airport. Along the west side you have the Historic Flight Foundation which you can access from Mukilteo Speedway. Their collection includes P-51 Mustang, B-25 Mitchel and other aircraft in flying condition. On the eastside you have the Flight Heritage Collection. Both museums offer a rare chance to get up close and personal to vintage aircraft restored in detail and into flying condition. Throughout the summer the skies above Mukilteo are teaming with the sound of radial engines racing through the sky. If your planning on being in the Seattle area over the summer its definitely worth checking out their fly-day schedules and check out these metal birds fly again.

Monday, October 17, 2011

No.16 The Dalles, Oregon

Photo by Tedder

Maryhill Windmills in evening light Maryhill, Washington

Rowena Crest

Japanese Hollow RD Abandoned School House

Boyd Loop Abandoned Farm House

Red Tailed Hawk & Mt. Hood

Seeing eye 2 eye with Red Tailed Hawk



Gear Used:
 
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Saturday, October 1, 2011

No. 15 Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah Washington

Distance from Seattle: 20 Miles
Travel Time: 30min

Lake Sammamish State Park is a 512-acre day-use park with 6,858 feet of waterfront on Lake Sammamish. The area around the lake was an important culture zone for local Indian tribes for centuries. The park provides deciduous forest and wetland vegetation for the enjoyment of visitors. A salmon-bearing creek and a great-blue-heron rookery are additional features.

Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 6:30 a.m. to dusk for the main park and boat launch.


Discover Pass LogoAnnual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.
The entrance to Lake Sammamish State Park is located on the southerns end of the lake off of NW Sammamish Rd. This is a state park and as such you have to purcahse a daily pass or anual pass to park your vehicle inside the park. There are many trails and walk ways for you to wander. In the summer or when the weather is nice you can expect this park to be busy. Following the shoreline you can see many types of predatory birds hiding in the trees.  You will need to walk softly and keep calm if you wish to get up close to these birds. Plenty of ducks and herons can be seen daily. For best birding results it helps to know the weather and feeding habbits of the birds so you will have the best chance of seeing the in action. I have come across a deer or fox but there were signs (poop droppings) that they are around in numbers. To see a deer its probably best to be an early visitor just prior to dawn. 








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Fisherman on the banks of Lake Sammamish State Park
Salmon Fisherman on the banks of Lake Sammamish

Morning Stretch- Lake Sammaish
Morning Stretch

Red Tail Hawk over Lake Sammamish
Red Tail Hawk

Panning along with a duck
Panning Duck

B&W Female Mallard reflection
Black & White Duck

Male Duck fly by
Buzzing the Fisherman