Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
March Comes in Like a Lion or Perhaps a Tiger!
Snow was in the forecast all week though we only got hail along with the cold and rain.
And Tiger turns 16 this month – that’s 80 in human years!
I don’t know the exact day and even the month is only an educated guess.
Wasn’t he a cutie as a youngster? (Picture is from the previous owner.)
He was five years old when we rescued him from a ‘cat hotel’ where he was dropped off after being neutered and waiting to be rehomed.
The poor boy has been somewhat of an emotional mess ever since, but oh so sweet!
Happy birthday to Tiger.
And looking forward to spring!
~ Susanne
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It’s Leap Year so Let’s Leap!
Happy 29th from Benji!
~ Susanne
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Bird Bonanza in the Skagit Valley
Welcome to the Skagit Valley, where in the winter you may see more bald eagles than you’ve ever seen before. Like we did, last year.
And when the birds move on, you’ll still have this in the spring – Daffodils in March.
Tulips in April.
Worth a visit don’t you think? An hour or so north of Seattle.
~ Susanne
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Fun with Photo Edits and Apps
I don’t usually do a lot of editing on my photos, save for resizing and watermarking them in Lightroom.
But for this week’s Sunday Stills Challenge #Photo-Edits I thought I’d use the simple (and free) tool that came with my Samsung Galaxy phone, Gallery.
I’ll start with a picture I took in early December, of fall leaves and mushrooms. I edited the first photo in Gallery using the ‘Cozy’ filter, the second using the ‘Nostalgia’ filter, and the third is the original.
(Click the arrow to advance through the photos.)
I prefer cozy, how about you?
I took the picture of the Point Arena Lighthouse in California near Mendocino, using my Sony RX10. I transferred it to my phone and edited it in Gallery using the ‘Cartoon’ filter. I prefer it to the original, the next one in the slide show.
I found the ‘Cartoon’ filter also improved a photo of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. I couldn’t find the original. I must have deleted it, so it wasn’t nearly as cute.
I used my compact Sony RX100M3 on our last trip to Washington DC and took the picture below. I liked how the wings of the African American Museum jutted into the scene next to the Washington Monument, even though the picture itself is rather poor.
But I liked the shapes, so I edited it on my phone, using the ‘Cartoon’ filter, then desaturated it to black and white.
I also edited the original in Lightroom Classic where I resized, filtered it, and added a watermark.
All these tools can help improve a photo. And though I like Lightroom Classic, I’m not sure it’s worth the subscription.
It comes with many more features and apps but I don’t have the desire or energy to learn how to use them. And I’m finding many free alternatives including Gallery on my phone, and the Photo App on my PC, which has both editing and resizing capabilities. (The only thing missing is the watermark, but I’m not sure I really need it; if I do, I can probably find a cheaper alternative.)
My Samsung Galaxy phone is somewhat ancient by today’s standards; an S9 and they just released S24. But I looked at S23 last year and realized that even though the new camera would be great, the phone was much bigger and heavier than I wanted to carry. I already have three good cameras of various sizes and my S9 takes decent photos. (I’ll wait for the next Galaxy that has a great camera AND is small and lightweight.)
That’s enough for now. Let me know which editing tools you like the most, especially if they’re free!
~ Susanne
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As Good as Spring in Seattle!
Though the calendar still says February we are finally having some lovely spring weather.
Yesterday we took advantage of the warm temperatures and headed to Lincoln Park in West Seattle, one of our favorites.
We walked through old growth forest of Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar,
these two joined together;
to the bluff overlooking Puget Sound.
We took the trail down
and were met by a troll at the bottom, thankfully a friendly one.
We walked along the beach,
enjoying the sunshine sparkling on the lazy waves rolling in.
Afterwards we went to Spud’s at Alki, an old Seattle favorite, where we enjoyed both the fish and chips AND the history of Luna Park, the Coney Island of the West from long ago. Pictures on the wall were taken by my great grandfather O.T. Frasch, just so you know.
One more stop after lunch for magnificent views of the Emerald City.
Yes, there were clouds, but the bluest skies you’ve ever seen are in Seattle, on a good day.
~ Susanne
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Come with Me for a Walk in the Redwoods
I don’t know how many times I’ve been to the Redwoods – six or eight times? – but regardless, it’s not enough. A perfect road trip down the coast of Oregon to Northern California takes you there easily and scenically from Seattle. Once there, you’ll pick a grove or two (or three or four) and start your walk under the canopy of giant trees, surrounded by ferns,
and carpets of redwood sorrel.
You’ll pause and reflect before moving on to cross storybook bridges, perhaps surprised by a troll or fairy living underneath.
You’ll feel small under trees soaring 300 feet high, trees that have stood for a thousand years,
trees that have weathered adversity and overcome fire.
You’ll feel smaller still, dwarfed by the fallen ones who lay silent,
as indeed you should.
Sharing with Sunday Stills, Iconic Places and CFFC: Weathered Wood.
~ Susanne
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Tiger – From the Box
“Hi Tiger. I’m glad to see you’re using your new box.”
“I’d like to post a picture, but you look a bit grumpy in this one.”
“Sorry Sue. I was trying to sleep. How’s this?”
“Perfectly debonair, Tiger. Thank you.”
Happy Caturday from Tiger.
~ Susanne
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Looking for Red and Pink on a Green and Rainy Day
Monday, Monday and rain is falling here in the Pacific Northwest.
Though I was looking for red and pink for this week’s Sunday Stills Challenge, I firstly found raindrops on green.
Fortunately, the green was surrounded by red berries,
and even the droplets contained some red. Look closely and you’ll see me inside, wearing a red sweater! 😉
Pink was harder to find but I remembered a pastel sunrise from last month, in shades of pink and lavender.
The piglet matches the same color scheme, his soft, baby pink nose and ears, blended nicely against his lady caregiver.
Speaking of ladies, I found this one in a fancy rose dress, at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. The show returns to Seattle this week and hopefully we’ll make it again.
The rose below was much more modest though just as beautiful. It adorned a parking strip, and I was surprised to find it still blooming in January.
Finally, I saw this otherworldly sunset over Astoria a couple years ago. I’ve never seen another one like it; unfortunatley the gorgeous colors were due to smoke from wildfires.
And that’s enough red and pink for today.
~ Susanne
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Heads or Tails with Tiger and Benji
Whilst I was recuperating on my bed last week I had two regular visitors –
Tiger
Benji
Both ends were welcome.
Happy Caturday from Tiger and Benji.
~ Susanne
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A Study in Green – the Quinault Rain Forest
The Hoh Rain Forest gets most of the press for its fabulous Trail of Mosses, but the Maple Glade Trail in the Quinault Rain Forest is every bit as beautiful and definitely less crowded. Off the beaten path, on the remote southwest edge of Olympic National Park, we had the trail to ourselves on a mild winter’s day and everything was dripping with green.
Reflecting on Quinault for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, Green and Weekly Prompts Color Challenge, Green.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 