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

Monday, March 31, 2014

No. 258 Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

Hiram Chittened Locks
3015 NW 54th St, Seattle, WA 98107
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Hiram Chittened Locks
Looking west towards Puget Sound from the Small Lock
The Hiram Chittened Locks, named after Army Major Hirman Martin Chittenden, opened to boat traffic in 1917. The locks are located on the western corner of Salmon Bay along the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Locally they are also known as "Ballard Locks" although there is a pathway that connects Ballard with the Magnolia Neighborhood to south.
Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the lock infrastructure stretches nearly 400 feet across one of the widest bodies of water along the ship canal. Lake Union freshwater table is 20 feet above the salt waters of the puget sound. To prevent saltwater intrusion from the tidal puget sound entering the fresh waters of Lake Union and Lake Washington and disturbing the freshwater ecosystem a 40 foot tall dam was installed. 
The purpose of the Hiram Locks is to maintain the freshwater table of Lake Union at or above 20 feet above the saltwater puget sound table. This main function is done by a 235 foot long spillway with 6 hydraulic gates that are 32 feet long and 12 feet tall. They can be open or closed depending on the amount of drainage required. The Lake Union and Lake Washington water table has to be maintained within certain tolerances because of infrastructures east of the locks such as floating bridges, moorings, channel markers, and vessel clearances under bridges need to be accurate. 
During the summer time the spillway openings are reduced to raise the lake levels for recreational boaters and also store fresh water in case of drought conditions. 
In order for boats to pass to and from the lakes into the puget sound there are 2 ship locks at the north end. The large lock is 80 feet wide and 825 feet in length, and the smaller lock is 30 feet wide by 150 feet in length. Both locks can raise or lower boats in under 15 minutes. Everything from canoes, kayaks, pleasure yachts, sailboats to commercial fishing boats and container ships pass through the locks transporting over 1 million tons of cargo, fuel and seafood.




Hiram Chittened Locks
Control Light for the Small Lock 
Hiram Chittened Locks
Large Spillway to control Lake Water 
Hiram Chittened Locks
Boat exit the large lock into Lake Union
Hiram Chittened Locks
Between the large and small locks
Hiram Chittened Locks
West Larg Lock Gate closed
Hiram Chittened Locks
Control Tower for the lock system 
Hiram Chittened Locks
Looking down the 825 foot long large lock
Hiram Chittened Locks
Spillway from Ballard side
Hiram Chittened Locks
Salmon Waves," artist Paul Sorey
Hiram Chittened Locks
Salmon Waves," artist Paul Sorey
Hiram Chittened Locks
USCG Crew prepares the 45 FRB for the lock
Hiram Chittened Locks
USCG 45' FRB takes a ride on the boat elevator



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Saturday, March 29, 2014

No. 257 Inaugural Sailing of Island Explorer 4

Website: http://www.island-adventures.com/

Saturday March 29th Island Adventures newest vessel the Island Explorer 4  joined her bigger sister ship the Island Explorer 3 for her first whale watching tour. In her past IE4  was used as a dive boat in the caribbean and as a sight seeing boat in New York City. Over the 2013/2014 offseason staff and crew of Island Adventures as well as numerous skilled small business in and around Anacortes overhauled IE4 with new deck work, new wood work, upholstery and engines. For the next 2 weeks IE4 will be running gray whale trips from Everett and then in April head to Anacortes for the start of the Orca season. Later this summer Island Explorer 4 will be in Port Angeles, WA for humpback, Orcas, Minkes and Gray whales sightings.
Island Explorer 4 details: She is 85 ft long and 24 ft wide, with a full walk around lower deck, spacious upper viewing deck, galley with hot food and beverage for purchase, his and her restrooms, over 300 sq. ft. of outdoor rail viewing space, and has comfortable booth style seating in her indoor heated cabin.Powered by 2 next generation Cat Marine Diesel engines she is able to maintain 15+ knots all day long while being environmentally friendly, fuel efficient and meet California Marine Environmental Standards. 
Thanks to Owner Shane Aggergaard, Captain Mike & Captain Scott for inviting me down for Island Explorer 4 inaugural sailing. 



Captain Shane and that new boat smell
Captain Shane and that new boat smell 
Naturalist trade microphones for dock lines
Captain Scott secures his new ride 
Island Explorer begins her new life
IE4 ready for passengers 
Harbor Seal investigating the boat
A harbor seal checks out the new paint job on IE4 prior to departure
"Lucky 2" last passengers arrive
The "Lucky 2" make it onboard with the help of Captain Mike 
Big Sis Island Explorer 3
Island Explorer 3 on scene with Gray Whale #53 Little Patch
Gray Whale #53 Little Patch in the water of off Gedney Island, WA
Gray Whale #53 Little Patch near Whidbey Island, WA
Captain and Naturalist Michael Colahan at work
Captain Mike working the microphone and shutter button 
Untitled
Captain Mike and Captain Scott working as team to find us some whales 
Fare Well Fin Gray Whale #383
Gray Whale #383 spotted in the shallows of hat Island,WA 
Fare Well Fin Gray Whale #383
Gray Whale sends us home with a deep dive fluke wave

Friday, March 28, 2014

No. 256 Emerald City Comicon


Today is the kickoff  to the 11th Annual Emerald City Comicon. The event will starts Friday and ends on Sunday. Over 75,000 people are expected to show up in costume and browse the Washington State Convention Center. 
The Emerald City Comicon is an annual comic book and pop culture convention that takes place in beautiful downtown Seattle, Washington. Started in 2003 and originally taking place at CenturyLink Stadium (formerly Qwest Field), ECCC changed venue to its current home at the Washington State Convention Center in 2008. In 2011, the show expanded to become a three-day event. 2012 marked the beginning of our second decade of existence.
The show is an all-ages event for fans of pop culture! We have a diverse array of exhibitors, guests, artists, writers, gaming, programming, Q&As, workshops and much more for attendees to enjoy!

If that isn't enough for your senses, there are also exhibits from major companies showcasing their latest products and the largest retailer area in the Pacific Northwest where you will find all kinds of unique and limited items. These are just some of the many reasons why you should come experience Emerald City Comicon for yourself!



Lea Thompson at Emerald City Comicon presents Back To The Future at SIFF Cinema at the Uptown - Seattle on 2012-03-31 - DSC_8205.jpg
Fluxin - Dave Lichterman 
Emerald City Comicon
Show Floor - David Lee
Wonder Woman!
Wonder Woman - Onceandfuturelaura
The Children of Mandalore
The Children of Mandalore - Craig Damlo
2013 - Emerald City Comicon
Cosplayer - Vincent Milum Jr 

Thursday, March 27, 2014

No. 255 Whale Tours from Everett, WA

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Website: http://www.island-adventures.com/

Tours departing from

            Everett, WA                            Anacortes, WA                               Port Angeles, WA

    March 1st ~ May 18th               April 12th ~ October 25th                August 23~ November 29th 


Starting Saturday March 29th Island Adventures newest vessel the Island Explorer 4 will join her bigger sister ship the Island Explorer 3 for her first whale watching season. She will start off running gray whale watching trips from Everett and then to Anacortes for the start of the Orca season. Later this summer Island Explorer 4 will be in Port Angeles, WA for humpback, Orcas, Minkes and Gray whales sightings. 

Island Explorer 4 details:

New to Island Adventures in 2014, the Island Explorer 4 is the little sister to the Island Explorer 3. She is 85 ft long and 24 ft wide, with a full walk around lower deck, spacious upper viewing deck, galley with hot food and beverage for purchase, his and her restrooms, over 300 sq. ft. of outdoor rail viewing space, and has comfortable booth style seating in her indoor heated cabin.
Powered by 2 next generation Cat Marine Diesel engines she is able to maintain 15+ knots all day long while being environmentally friendly, fuel efficient and meet California Marine Environmental Standards. 

Island Explorer 4 arrives in Everett, WA
Island Explorer 4 enters the Gardner Channel which it will call its Port for the 2 weeks
Captain Shane and that new boat smell
Island Adventures owner and operated Shane Aggergaard sailed Explorer 4 down from Anacortes
Island Explorer Crew prepare for docking
Crews prep Explorer 4 for docking 
Island Explorer Crew prepare for docking

Naturalist trade microphones for dock lines
Starboard dock lines at cast 
Naturalist trade microphones for dock lines

Island Explorer begins her new life
Island Explorer 4 is ready for it 3 hour tours starting Saturday 

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

No. 254 University of Washington Cherry Blossoms

University of Washington
Liberal Arts Quadrangle Cherry Blossoms
4182 NE Stevens Way, Seattle, WA 98105
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As the winter weather pattern starts to shift towards spring with longer days and sun breaks the first signs of spring in the pacific northwest start happing. The first yellow daffodils start to bloom in Mount Vernon, WA  followed by the first official day of Spring. The next question many Washingtonians ask is when will the Cherry Blossoms bloom.
Depending on the type of Cherry blossom and location they can bloom in late March or early April.
They Cherry Blossoms in my yard are stubborn trees and always seem to drag their feet. But around the Puget Sound most trees have started blooming.
One of the most popular places in Seattle for gazing at the bloom is at University of Washington's Liberal Arts Quadrangle.
The original grove of Yoshino Cherry trees were planted in the Seattle Washington Arboretum around 1939. Later during construction of the 520 floating bridge 31 Yochina Cherry Trees were transplanted to the University of Washington campus. That makes this grove of white and pink fragrant cherry trees 75 years old. The average lifespan of a Yochina Cherry Tree is between 60 to 100 years.
In 1999 it looked as if the original cherry trees had 10-15 years left until fungus and disease would force them to be cut down. It was hard to find replacement cherry trees that would produce the same white and pink blossoms and bloom around the same traditional period.
 During the 40th reunion of Class of 1959 members raised an endowment of  $85,000 to help continue a cherry blossom bloom on campus. The Center for Urban Horticulture at UW grafted new seedlings from clippings of the original trees. These replacement trees have been growing at a nursery in Mount Vernon, WA until they will be needed. However the trees in the quad seem to be healthy and doing so well that a second round of replacement trees may be needed because the current 2nd generation are becoming almost too large to me moved.

2014 Cherry Blossom activity
The Yoshino Tress have been flowering and blooming since March 14th and reached full bloom on March 22nd. The trees will have their puffy whites and pink for about 2 to 3 weeks, around the first week of April or until weather and wind will take care of natures business.
Univerity of Washington Cherry Blossoms 2014
Walkways at the Quad
Univerity of Washington Cherry Blossoms 2014

Univerity of Washington Cherry Blossoms 2014

Univerity of Washington Cherry Blossoms 2014

Univerity of Washington Cherry Blossoms 2014

Univerity of Washington Cherry Blossoms 2014

Univerity of Washington Cherry Blossoms 2014






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Friday, March 21, 2014

No. 253 2014 Skagit Valley in Bloom

Mount Vernon, Wa
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For last 2 weeks the fields around Mount Vernon and La Connor, Washington have been seeing sign of spring. The daffodil fields are close to being in full bloom with many acres covered in rows upon rows of yellow speckles. It is definitely worth the trip to spend the afternoon driving through the floral route.
Daffodils are one of the early spring bloomers and you will want to go sooner than later. By end of March, early April and weather or wind blow off the tops of the Daffodils.

Distance from Seattle: 62miles 1hr 10min
Rating: 4 out 5
Reason to go: Short drive from Seattle to see hundreds of acres of wildflowers, daffodils and tulips in all sizes and colors. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of the most fantastic events in the state of Washington.  It runs from April 1 to April 30 every single year. Its worth it to start your day really early or go during the week. The word is out and weekends the tulip route will be packed with young kids and families. If your into Landscape or Flower photography this festival will give you great subjects to photograph.

TIPS: Although the Tulip Festival runs from April 1st through April 30th the actual blooming of the tulips varies with weather conditions. Short or long winter weather can cause tulips to bloom earlr or be delayed a few weeks. Check http://www.tulipfestival.orgTulip Festival / for current field conditions.

 If you do plan on going to the Tulip Festival. LEAVE EARLY in the morning to avoid the traffic mess, easier to find parking, setup your camera in a field looking east for a nice sunrise shot. Shoot by yourself and not have many people will be walking through your shot. The best light is in the morning and towards the evening.
It can be cloudy in Seattle but bright and sunny in Mount Vernon. Once the sun gets up over the cascade mountains the sky becomes a huge baby blue light box and it will be harder to find the right exposure for the flowers.
Tulips grow on raised mounds of dirt. Depending on previous days weather you could be walking on soft dirt or trekking through mud puddles, so bring shoes and pants that you don't mind getting dirty.

Every year the layout of fields change, to find out where things are  you can download a field map from Tulip Festival. Some of the growers charge a parking fee of $3-$5 to visit their grounds. Most of the streets that run between Mount Vernon and La Conner are 2 lane rural roads with NO SHOULDER PARKING.  There are ropes and signs all over the place telling people not to park on the side of the road, but as the day goes on and the mass of weekenders start to roll in you will see backups building up because people will stop in the middle of the road to admire the fields.



Postcards, Art Prints and Canvas Prints are available for sale here
Skagit Valley Daffodils
Over 450 acres of Yellow Daffodils are no in bloom 
Skagit Valley Daffodils

Morning Rows Yellows
Etherial Sunbreaks
Bring Fire to the Rain
Setting Fire to the Rain
Flooded Field Sunrise Reflection
Flooded Field at first light
Behind the scenes in Skagit Valley, WA
Behind the scenes at the farm




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