Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Spring Green
Last month we had tantalizing glimpses of spring and I puttered in the yard, snipping and trimming and straightening up the garden, even planting a new rose, Ketchup and Mustard – I refuse to give up on roses.
The birds were out and about thinking it was spring too. This junco gave a wonderful performance in song to attract a mate.
Then March came in like a lion and brought our first substantial snowfall of the season.
Even though it was gone the next day, it’s been cold and rainy ever since. Spring is fickle in the Northwest.
But it won’t be long until spring green begins to flourish everywhere: a green that is young, full of energy and new life, and providing the accent to other colors to follow.
I can’t wait. 😊
~ Susanne
Surprised by Snow
Yesterday that is. We woke to our most substantial snowfall of the season and even then it was no more than an inch or two.
But it was enough for me to get my seasonal pictures of snow on the berries out my front door.
No more snow in the forecast but who really knows?
That’s what makes life interesting.
~ Susanne
Rainy Day at Redondo Beach
Saturday started out clear and (mostly) sunny. We were desperate to get out of the house after a long, rainy week, so we headed to Redondo Beach in Des Moines (the one in Washington not Iowa.)
But the sunshine was fleeting and by the time we arrived at our destination, the wind had picked up, the sky was turbulent, and rain began to fall.
Storm clouds hovered in the distance and whitecaps whipped up the water.
Bob wondered whether we should walk or not; it was freezing cold and it felt like the picture below, drained of all color.
“Well, you see, dear, there’s a rainy-day challenge so at least I’ll get some pictures of rain,” I thought but didn’t say.
Instead I replied, “Let’s walk down the boardwalk and if it gets too cold, we can always turn around,” and so we did.
We persevered and the rain subsided;
the gulls were grounded and fishing in the surf.
On our return we saw scuba divers – in the 46 degree waters of Puget Sound; even with wet suits they are brave souls, indeed!
They were no doubt hoping to see Pacific Octopus (the largest in the world,) whales and porpoises, along with many small creatures we saw inside the Mast Center Aquarium next door, an aquarium we stumbled upon, not knowing it even existed.
It was small but charming and we loved all the colorful creatures, both plants and animals.
I especially loved discovering something new – a Grunt Sculpin – a fish that can walk (or at least hop.)
According to Wikipedia, “The grunt sculpin generally remains close to shore and is often found in empty giant barnacle shells. The common name comes from reports that the fish vibrate or “grunt” when held. Its defining feature is its tendency to “hop” along the ocean floor on its orange fins.”
So……. I didn’t exactly get pictures of the rain except from a distance. But I did enjoy the fresh air, gulls, starfish, anemones and even a walking fish.
~ Susanne
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
It’s Leap Year so Let’s Leap!
Happy 29th from Benji!
~ Susanne
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
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
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
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
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
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 