Paul D. Natkin: April 2010

Friday, April 30, 2010

They say the walls have ears. There are no walls in the woods, but be careful what you say there.

Like Ears, Apr. 25, 2010

Thursday, April 29, 2010

It was cloudy enough last night that the moon wasn't always visible. When it was, you could see it glow, but you couldn't make out its face. I just got some "sasquatch" photos. I think you know what I mean.

Full Moon, Apr. 28, 2010

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Full moon tonight. The moon was nice last night, but I had no time. Hope I can see it tonight, in spite of the clouds.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Dandelions aren't native here. But they've certainly found themselves a home.

Dandelions, Apr. 25, 2010

Monday, April 26, 2010

The oyster mushrooms abound this year. Soon it will be full moon.

Oyster Mushrooms and Ivy, Apr. 25, 2010

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Many people sit in the same place. Each one comes with a history. Today a young couple asked me if I would take a picture of them with their camera. They were from Uzbekistan.

Gray and White, Apr. 25, 2010

Saturday, April 24, 2010

I had no time to go to the Viewpoint today, although maybe I'll wend my way there before the night is done. Less than three weeks ago, the view of the bay was very different from what it is now. Niklot was king of the Wends. Well, chief of the Obotrites.

The Bay, April 9, 2010

Friday, April 23, 2010

This morning, not far from the Viewpoint, I caught sight of a hawk
--a Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), I believe. Unfortunately, there wasn't time to get into manual mode, and in automatic my camera has focus issues. Oh well, maybe I'll see this beautiful bird again. It may be the hawk that I've heard is nesting with its mate in Volunteer Park. In Polish, Cooper's Hawk is called Krogulec czarnołbisty.

Hawk, Apr. 23, 2010

Thursday, April 22, 2010

There are many places in Boren Park and Interlaken Park where you can see exposed roots.

Roots, Mar. 7, 2010

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The bay...different every day.

The Bay, Apr. 15, 2010

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Some people speed through, while others tarry.

Sitting Couple and Woman in a Hurry, Apr. 15, 2010

Monday, April 19, 2010

It's strange how the Union Bay can be a vivid blue color, and at the same time, Lake Washington just pale blue, or even some indistinct hue, nevertheless pale. I don't know the explanation.

Two Kinds of Blue, Apr. 15, 2010

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Well, we're just about at high spring, I'd say. Lots of bushes and trees in bloom, birds all over the place. Before you know it, it'll be summer.

Spring Foliage, Apr. 15, 2010

Friday, April 16, 2010

There are those who linger at the Viewpoint, and then there are those who pass through in a matter of seconds. The latter may be in the majority.

Man Passing By, Apr. 15, 2010

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Although you might go through the parks without seeing another human being, you're sure to see signs of past human activity.

Rusted Beer Can, April 11, 2010

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

These two trilliums were just beginning to turn color when I photographed them the other day.

Two Old Trilliums, Apr. 11, 2010

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

As trilliums age, they take on a red-violet hue. I was thinking it was magenta--till I looked on Wikipedia.

Old Trillium, Apr. 11, 2010

Monday, April 12, 2010

There was plenty of sunshine to go around yesterday. Two girls were having a picnic on a blanket. The dandelions and daisies were in bloom, and dog-walkers came and went non-stop.

Two Girls Picnicking, Apr. 11, 2010

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Dicentra formosa, the Western bleeding heart, or Pacific bleeding heart, is a flowering plant in the fumitory family, generally found in moist wooded areas from California to British Columbia.

Western Bleeding Heart, Apr. 11, 2010

Annyi bánat a szívemen

Kétrét hajlott az egeken.

Ha még egyet hajlott volna.

Szívem kettéhasadt volna.

Én elmegyek közületek,

Isten maradjon veletek.

Tőlem több panaszt nem hallasz,

Kit hallottál, avval maradsz.

Akkor jussak én eszedbe,

Mikor kenyér a kezedbe.

Akkor se jussak egyébről,

Csak az igaz szeretetről.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

The leaves are unfurling. Everything is green. Except what is blue.

The Lovers, Apr. 9, 2010

Friday, April 9, 2010

This morning there was some sun in the distance, but it was raining up on the Hill. Maybe there was a rainbow somewhere, but I didn't have time to look for it. By afternoon the sun was out, but it hid behind the clouds from time to time, once I got to the Viewpoint. At this time of year the light changes so quickly, as the clouds pass over the landscape, that it all feels like a dream.

The Point, Apr. 9, 2010

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Here there was once an overgrown field with, as I recall, a lone house that had the appearance of being abandoned.

The House Below, Mar. 14, 2010

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Sometimes the mountains seem to hover, like apparitions, over the horizon.

White Horse Complex, Apr. 5, 2010

Nad Tatrou sa blýska,

hromy divo bijú.

Zastavme ich, bratia,

veď sa ony stratia,

Slováci ožijú.

To Slovensko naše

posiaľ tvrdo spalo.

Ale blesky hromu

vzbudzujú ho k tomu,

aby sa prebralo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3mA_SEORsk

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

I was told yesterday afternoon that there was a phenomenal effect I shouldn't miss at the Viewpoint. I raced there with my camera and tripod and made it just in time for a few photos.

The Cascades and Lake Washington, Apr. 5, 2010

Monday, April 5, 2010

There are many places down below where you'll see exposed roots.

Roots, Mar. 13, 2010

Sunday, April 4, 2010

There's something otherworldly about areas where skunk cabbages are in bloom. It may be the smell, or could it be the yellow color of the sheaths in the late afternoon sun?

Skunk Cabbages and Stream, Mar. 21, 2010

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Skunk cabbages are found in wet areas. In Interlaken Park, English ivy--an invasive species--competes with skunk cabbage for territory.

Skunk Cabbage Area, Mar. 21, 2010

Friday, April 2, 2010

I haven't been able to get a sharp digital photo of the face of the moon. That will have to wait till I get a new camera. But here's the man in the moon, all the same:

Man in the Moon, Mar. 30, 2010

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Every tree is unique, but certain trees, by whatever circumstances, take on characteristics that make them more memorable than others.

Bigleaf Maple, Mar. 14, 2010

Paul D. Natkin