Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Snowshoeing

Last weekend I discovered a beautiful snowshoeing hike. Just across from Stevens Pass Ski Resort a cat track leads up to a cell tower. That wasn't the beautiful part. From the tower we followed fellow snowshoer tracks up to a frozen lake and from there continued up to a rocky peak. I could see the jutting rocks topped with snow from below, but it wasn't until we got up there that the grander of the view was revealed. Below us lay the ski slopes and highway, and all around us a sea of peaks making up the Cascade Mountain Range. Blue sky and fast moving clouds made for a dramatic backdrop as we couldn't believe our eyes.



The drive back to the city wasn't boring either. The swimming hole near Gold Bar, Washington was iced over. Light snowflakes started to fall as we were chilled by just the sight of the river flowing under huge icicles. The rope swing hung with a seat of ice on the surface, making it hard to imagine this place in summer. It did feel like a winter playground however.




Friday, December 11, 2009

Cityscape


A little while ago I was asked to photograph the Seattle skyline at night. But I had to wait for the clouds to clear. They finally did as the temperature dropped to 20 degrees! There are a lot of good views of Seattle and I wasn't sure which one was best. So the other day I grabbed my hat and gloves and took the first shot from Gas Works Park looking South at downtown. I love the reflection in Lake Union, but it didn't wow me.

So the next night I ran out to West Seattle at dusk. As luck would have it it was a beautiful, clear (cold!) day. As the sun retreated over the horizon the light reflected back in the skyscraper glass and lit up the city.

Maybe I'll start a collection of views...