Beautiful Tom. There is so much beauty in winter or in the darkening as you call it, but it's not always easy to see. But when you find that beauty, it does feel extra special
Oh, I’ve got an easy fix for arthritis: just have them cut those joints out and put new ones in, you’ll never feel pain again in your life. HA HA HA HA HA. (Sorry, that pushed me round the bend a bit.)
Thanks for this, Tom. It's bringing to mind that German proverb, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." Though I'm not sure yet how to clothe ourselves for what's to come.
In Tokyo, it's like that in the spring. The rain starts in mid-May and it doesn't end until mid-July. It's a weird damp time, but it's also oddly magical. People don't stay in, though, like where you are. Life just continues as normal, except umbrellas are everywhere. I'm so glad you captured the beauty of things like wet moss and mushrooms. I can't imagine a lot of people want to go out in the rain to take pictures.
There’s a saying among locals here that if you don’t do stuff in the rain, you’ll never to anything at all. I saw a few people out that day … but no other cameras! In the PNW, we don’t generally use umbrellas though, just a raincoat and a hat.
Umbrellas are a cross between communal property and the most stolen item in Japan. Every store, restaurant, and cafe has an umbrella stand outside. People often forget them or abandon them. If there's a sudden downpour, a bunch might suddenly disappear. If someone is walking in while you're walking out, they'll might just give you theirs, maybe assuming they can get another one on the way out. If you have a really nice one, though, they'll try to make sure it stays with you. As an American, I'm much more comfortable with the "my umbrella is mine" system.
Great post - and some beautiful photos. I particularly like the wet mushrooms. Love the idea of taking in a particular moment and capturing the immediate. We lose so much by not doing this (deceptively simple) activity. I'm broken out my D90 recently after too many years of it sitting in a cupboard. My 14 y/o has decided to take Art as one of his GCSEs and photography is part; we've really enjoyed using the Nikon to capture images that can't be on an phone. Not to mention, the Nikon allows for photography, with all its requisite focus, without the inevitable distractions of the phone. You don't, for example, have to swipe up a notification or alert while composing a shot. Kind of a needed general philosophy for living, I'd say. Especially with all the current chaos and noise. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Bryan, and you’ll be amused to hear that part of my desire to dig a little deeper into photography relates to your labyrinth piece. I’ve wanted to write about these labyrinths, but most of my photos are cell phone photos and, well, they are not so good. So I’m trying to go around and just get better photos, ones that align with the joy (or squalor, as it were) of the place. Which reminds me, I’m in Albuquerque at the moment and there are enough hippies around here that there must be some labyrinths nearby …
Beautiful shots Tom. I do the same thing when we go hiking, take pictures of the small little details of nature that are quiet, hidden, but so full of life. Because Life doesn't care about politics.
Yeah, the close in stuff is sometimes really beautiful, for sure. I had written and photographed this whole thing the weekend before the election, with no intention that it be politically related, and I find I actually don’t find it political now … I don’t think there’s anything political about always keeping an eye out for beauty (restating what you said!).
Just yesterday my partner Kallie said to me that the difference between the PNW and Nevada is the lack of open expansive views. Trees and dense undergrowth and now even the ocean is shrouded in fog. We walked through a sculpture garden in the drizzle and enjoyed the closeness.
I’ve woken up in Bellingham the past four mornings and head back home to Reno today. The sailing company we work with here jokes every time that we brought the sunshine with us. This time was no exception, we did our test sail on Thursday and it was sunny and cool, with no wind.
Reno has an abundance of sun. The only time it isn’t bright, clear, and sunny is during our many snow storms. My bedroom window faces South and looks out at the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The Airbnb we are staying at in Bellingham is right downtown. It’s a walk out basement apartment where if you leave your blinds open you see cars and people going by, and they can see you. Especially since I’ve been turning a light on because it’s so dark.
I love your photography, Tom. That photo with all of the mushrooms is magical. I used to hate when the dark days of winter rolled through, but I'm much better with it now after last year when I started running through it. February can be difficult still, and I'm trying to figure out how to embrace it with all of its dreariness. Maybe I'll take up snowshoeing.
Thanks Brian, really appreciate it. We’re extra committed to walking in the rain this year, as we’re preparing for a hiking trip in South America in January so gotta keep the legs in shape. I love the snow shoeing though.
Stunning photographs, Tom - I can almost smell the autumn air on that walk I'm imagining myself taking through that beautiful landscape.
I must tell you - I received Sara's art newsletter yesterday, and wow, just wow.
Truly beautiful - one thing I miss a lot from California are the redwood forests - Spain has no forests to speak of. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful Tom. There is so much beauty in winter or in the darkening as you call it, but it's not always easy to see. But when you find that beauty, it does feel extra special
My favorites are the mushrooms and moss photos. And thanks for the trail recommendation! Love the easy trails for my arthritis.
Oh, I’ve got an easy fix for arthritis: just have them cut those joints out and put new ones in, you’ll never feel pain again in your life. HA HA HA HA HA. (Sorry, that pushed me round the bend a bit.)
Thanks for this, Tom. It's bringing to mind that German proverb, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." Though I'm not sure yet how to clothe ourselves for what's to come.
Beautiful, Tom. I feel like I’ve walked similar woods myself, in similar weather. And also seen the roofs of houses be consumed by clouds.
I bet you have!
Beautifully written and personally experienced. Sometimes I think Climate Change has forgotten about the Pacific Northwest.
Let’s hope so! I like it the way it is.
In Tokyo, it's like that in the spring. The rain starts in mid-May and it doesn't end until mid-July. It's a weird damp time, but it's also oddly magical. People don't stay in, though, like where you are. Life just continues as normal, except umbrellas are everywhere. I'm so glad you captured the beauty of things like wet moss and mushrooms. I can't imagine a lot of people want to go out in the rain to take pictures.
There’s a saying among locals here that if you don’t do stuff in the rain, you’ll never to anything at all. I saw a few people out that day … but no other cameras! In the PNW, we don’t generally use umbrellas though, just a raincoat and a hat.
Umbrellas are a cross between communal property and the most stolen item in Japan. Every store, restaurant, and cafe has an umbrella stand outside. People often forget them or abandon them. If there's a sudden downpour, a bunch might suddenly disappear. If someone is walking in while you're walking out, they'll might just give you theirs, maybe assuming they can get another one on the way out. If you have a really nice one, though, they'll try to make sure it stays with you. As an American, I'm much more comfortable with the "my umbrella is mine" system.
Ooh, that’s really interesting!
Beautiful photos Tom! I was just at the Redmond Watershed doing a little mushroom foraging, maybe you were doing the same??
No, I haven’t quite educated myself enough to feel confident on eating my own foraged mushrooms, maybe someday. This would have been the year though.
Great post - and some beautiful photos. I particularly like the wet mushrooms. Love the idea of taking in a particular moment and capturing the immediate. We lose so much by not doing this (deceptively simple) activity. I'm broken out my D90 recently after too many years of it sitting in a cupboard. My 14 y/o has decided to take Art as one of his GCSEs and photography is part; we've really enjoyed using the Nikon to capture images that can't be on an phone. Not to mention, the Nikon allows for photography, with all its requisite focus, without the inevitable distractions of the phone. You don't, for example, have to swipe up a notification or alert while composing a shot. Kind of a needed general philosophy for living, I'd say. Especially with all the current chaos and noise. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Bryan, and you’ll be amused to hear that part of my desire to dig a little deeper into photography relates to your labyrinth piece. I’ve wanted to write about these labyrinths, but most of my photos are cell phone photos and, well, they are not so good. So I’m trying to go around and just get better photos, ones that align with the joy (or squalor, as it were) of the place. Which reminds me, I’m in Albuquerque at the moment and there are enough hippies around here that there must be some labyrinths nearby …
Looking at your pictures I can feel the dampness and hear the silence. They are a meditation.
Thanks a bunch Terry. I imagine you get some practice with that particular kind of meditation.
Not as much as I'd like, but yes 😀
Beautiful!
Beautiful shots Tom. I do the same thing when we go hiking, take pictures of the small little details of nature that are quiet, hidden, but so full of life. Because Life doesn't care about politics.
Yeah, the close in stuff is sometimes really beautiful, for sure. I had written and photographed this whole thing the weekend before the election, with no intention that it be politically related, and I find I actually don’t find it political now … I don’t think there’s anything political about always keeping an eye out for beauty (restating what you said!).
I live 5 min from there! Did you do the trout trail (the western one with no horses allowed) or the main trail?
What a nice area! I think I do all the trails honestly, trying to mix it up. I used to run there, pre-joint replacement… sigh!
Just yesterday my partner Kallie said to me that the difference between the PNW and Nevada is the lack of open expansive views. Trees and dense undergrowth and now even the ocean is shrouded in fog. We walked through a sculpture garden in the drizzle and enjoyed the closeness.
I’ve woken up in Bellingham the past four mornings and head back home to Reno today. The sailing company we work with here jokes every time that we brought the sunshine with us. This time was no exception, we did our test sail on Thursday and it was sunny and cool, with no wind.
Reno has an abundance of sun. The only time it isn’t bright, clear, and sunny is during our many snow storms. My bedroom window faces South and looks out at the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The Airbnb we are staying at in Bellingham is right downtown. It’s a walk out basement apartment where if you leave your blinds open you see cars and people going by, and they can see you. Especially since I’ve been turning a light on because it’s so dark.
I love your photography, Tom. That photo with all of the mushrooms is magical. I used to hate when the dark days of winter rolled through, but I'm much better with it now after last year when I started running through it. February can be difficult still, and I'm trying to figure out how to embrace it with all of its dreariness. Maybe I'll take up snowshoeing.
Thanks Brian, really appreciate it. We’re extra committed to walking in the rain this year, as we’re preparing for a hiking trip in South America in January so gotta keep the legs in shape. I love the snow shoeing though.