~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #203: Local Vistas ~

Posted on June 18, 2022 by Lindy Le Coq

Though I have lived in Vancouver, WA forty-five years, the place I have been exploring with my camera is around the Long Beach Peninsula, WA. We have owned a condominium in Long Beach for five years and spend a good deal of time there during the “non-tourist” seasons. Here are some favorite vistas:

A level sandy beach beckons guests to walk, bicycle, fly kites, parasail, and dig for razor clams (in season) along the coastline. Vehicles are permitted to drive on the beach. I’m not a big fan of that, yet most people stay to the 25mph speed limit and are respectful and friendly.

Cape Disappointment State Park is a year-round attraction. With two light houses, camping grounds, a Coast Guard station and maritime history, there are many reasons to explore. For me the vistas are what draws me to return with my camera.

View from North Head LH

Because we choose to make our condominium available for guests during holidays and the summer season, I haven’t attended the many events that the peninsula offers to visitors during those times. From the Washington State International Kite Festival (https://kitefestival.com/), to the “Rod Run to the End of the World” (https://www.visitlongbeachpeninsula.com/event/rod-run-to-the-end-of-the-world/) there are loads of family friendly events to enjoy. Good food, fresh ocean air, and the beauty of nature are year round!

This challenge has inspired me to do some photo shoots this summer of sites around Vancouver, WA; places I haven’t visited for years, and new vistas in the making. Should be fun!

Wherever you find yourself, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾

Thank you to Anne Sandler at Slow Shutter Speed for this inviting challenge. Being a host is a challenge in itself and I appreciate the attention all the LAPC hosts give to their followers!

Lens-Artists #203: Local Vistas
Posted in Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Pacific Clouds ~

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Lindy Le Coq

Whether it’s cloudy or sunny where you are, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾

Posted in nature, nature photography, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography, Report from the Edge of a Continent, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

~ CMMC ~ June ~ Any Pale Color ~

Posted on June 11, 2022 by Lindy Le Coq

Wherever you find yourself, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾

Thank you Cee, for providing another outlet for us to stay sane!

CMMC June Pale Any Color
Posted in Cee's Midweek Madness Challenge, CMMC, nature, nature photography, pacific northwest | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #202: Minimalism/Maximalism ~

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Lindy Le Coq

Our host this week, Sophie Alves of photographia asks us to consider the subject of Minimalism/Maximalism and suggests we could think of it as Simplicity/Complexity or Sparce/Full. I admit that I love some of the understated/toned down/spare images I have photographed over the years. At the same time, I prize the bright/complex/full photos in my archives.

Light/hue

Above, minimal light and color as the sun sets on a foggy afternoon create a sense of quiet peace. Below, a similar view after sunset, washed in color and dappled light is infused with mystery.

Quantity

Above, a single songbird calling from atop a post on a misty day, creates a sense of solitude. Below, migrating shorebirds flock together filling the beach and sky. All four images presented so far have not been enhanced or filtered. These are the colors the camera caught when I took the photos.

Texture/Surface

Above, a drift of snow lies undisturbed on a winter evening. In contrast, frozen foot and paw prints on a sand trail to the beach, flanked by frosty dune grass is filled with movement.

Whether you prefer the quiet or the bright, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾

Lens-Artists Challenge – Minimalism/Maximalism
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~ Wordless Wednesday + Cee’s FOTD ~ Spanish Lavender ~

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Lindy Le Coq

Lavandula stoechas

Wherever your garden grows, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾

Posted in Cee's Flower Of The Day, flowers, landscape gardening, pacific northwest, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #201: Three of a Kind ~

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Lindy Le Coq

As I was thinking about what photos to present in this challenge, I realized that for my Wordless Wednesday posts there are usually three photos focusing on one theme to tell a story wordlessly. All of my snaps this week are from the archives. Hope you enjoy!

North Head Lighthouse

Cape Disappointment has two lighthouses. From the beach where I walk with my beagles, the North Head lighthouse is a prominent feature. It overlooks what has been called “the graveyard of the Pacific” by seafarers, for the dangers presented by the Columbia River entering the Pacific Ocean. When the lighthouse was reopened for visitors, Creighton and I jumped at the chance to see it from the inside

Bald Eagles – Haliaeetus leucocephalus

This breeding pair of Bald Eagles was not happy to have an almost mature Bald Eagle intrude upon their territory. Notice their expressions and body language!

Western Gull – Larus occidentalis

The ubiquitous gulls fascinate me for their various feathering and behavior patterns. As with eagles, gull maturity can be determined by the color of their bills, in addition to their body and wing feather colors.

Jack-In-The-Pulpit ~ Arisaema triphyllum

Three stems of Jack-In-The-Pulpit emerged in late spring – to my delight! For as long as I have known about them, I wanted this fascinating looking plant. A perennial, it continues to please me every spring and summer.

Wherever you find Three of a Kind, please honor our earth, be charitable and stay safe.🐾

Thank you Ann Christine, for a theme with so many possibilities!

https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2022/05/28/lapc-201-three-of-a-kind/
Posted in Birding, birds, Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, ornithology, pacific northwest, pacific ocean, photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Almost Summer! ~

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Lindy Le Coq

Wherever you kick back and relax, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾

Posted in landscape gardening, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , | 4 Comments

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #200: Every Little Thing ~

Posted on May 28, 2022 by Lindy Le Coq

Many little things have added up to cause me to be late with this post. Still, I am happy to share a few of the little things that brought a smile to my face and prompted me to take a shot.

Above, a mother tree with a young seedling nestled in its ancient roots. Below, though pixelated, the best photo I have of a fledgling Killdeer.

The contrast in size between the little tricycle in the back of a pickup truck started my day with a smile. I’ve been saving this photo for just the right challenge!

A daisy peeking through conifer branches, a damselfly by the creek, and a tiny frilled mushroom in dune grass are just a few of the small things in nature that bring delight to my life.

Max and Daisy were always happy when we crossed paths with these two women on our walks around the Breakers. Treats were in her pocket and she enjoyed sharing!

Wherever you enjoy every little thing, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾

Thank you Amy for giving us a reason to smile in the midst of the anguish in our times.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #200 — Every Little Thing
Posted in Beagles, Birding, birds, bugs & critters, Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, pacific northwest, photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Great Honker! ~

Posted on May 25, 2022 by Lindy Le Coq
Male Northern Shoveler – Spatula clypeata
The Breakers Marsh Ponds – 5/24/2022
Long Beach, WA – USA

Whatever trails you follow, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾

Posted in Birding, birds, nature, nature photography, ornithology, pacific northwest, photography, travel, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

~ Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #199: Mechanical/Industrial ~

Posted on May 21, 2022 by Lindy Le Coq

Cranberries have been farmed on and around the Long Beach Peninsula since the late 1800’s. At first growers would pick the cranberries by hand, which is okay for a family and community harvest, however unsustainable for future a commercial ventures.

The Furford dry harvest picker was first introduced by Julius Furford of Grayland, WA in 1956. Power is supplied by a 4-6 h.p. gas engine.

“During WWII growers welcomed the increased demand for cranberries to help feed the troops, but the shortage of labor for hand-picking prompted them to look for more efficient, mechanized harvesting methods to improve production. One of the most unique pieces of equipment developed to do the job was the vacuum or ‘suction” picking machine.” Cranberry Museum

Today most cranberries are harvested using a technique known as wet harvesting. The bog is flooded with water and the cranberries float to the surface, where they are easily scooped up.

The Cranberry Museum is located on the Washington State University Agricultural Extension scientific research ground on Pioneer Road. Hope you visit and buy some of their delicious cranberry condiments!

Thanks to John for getting me to focus on one small and important part of the history of this stretch of sand along the western edge of the USA continent!

Wherever you walk, please honor our earth, be kind and stay safe.🐾

https://photobyjohnbo.wordpress.com/2022/05/14/lapc-199-mechanical-industrial/
Posted in Lens-Artists, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, nature, nature photography, pacific northwest, photography, Report from the Edge of a Continent | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments