~ Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #42: Creativity ~

In spring my creative efforts move from writing to gardening. One of my favorite events is the annual Idea Fair and Plant Sale that our local PUD sponsors. There I am able to find new additions to my shade and sun gardens.

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One of my favorite vendors is Seabright Gardens. Their variety of perennial shade to sun plants (and I have a lot of shade) is deep and the plants are healthy.

The prices at this market are always a little less, so my dollars stretch a bit farther.

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Some of the plants I selected yesterday, which will be planted into my gardens.

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This little patch under a large fir tree is one that soon will be brimming with new life. Watch this space on Wordless Wednesday to see what I’ve created with plants!

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~ Wordless Wednesday ~

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~ Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge – Vanishing Point ~

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 Migrating Canada Goose flock over Long Beach, WA – USA ~  Easter 2019

“…the seasons they go round and round…” Joni Mitchell

 

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~ Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #41: Delicious ~

Creighton and I love fresh, crusty, classic breads; baguette, ciabatta, rustic all are favorites. We had been disappointed with what we found in local bakeries on the Long Beach peninsula – until yesterday! 

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We went in for scones and here was all this lovely bread!

We stayed for a quiche brunch and brought scones and bread home for later.

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What a delightful little cafe, with delectable food!

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Delicious

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~ Wordless Wednesday ~

 

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~ Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #40: Something Different ~

This week Tina challenges us to show something “out of the norm…something we wouldn’t normally expect from you.” Since most of my posts feature nature, this time my subject is man-made metal objects.

Before Creighton and I bought the condo on Long Beach, we vacationed yearly on Orcas Island. To get there involved a wonderful hour on one of Washington State’s Ferries. I loved getting out of the car to explore the vessel and breathe the fresh air. The images above were taken on one such walkabout.

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The Astoria-Megler Bridge is an amazing engineering achievement. Its construction bears witness to what happens when two states cooperate, as Oregon and Washington did to complete this major infrastructure improvement. Creighton and I gladly paid the toll to cross when we visited Astoria, then drove up the Long Beach Peninsula on our honeymoon in 1969. Driving across this bridge still is a thrill!

 Random Acts of Metal…

“Once, even the simple metal needle

challenged the conventional thinking of a time.”  Jonathan Ive

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“Looks real to me, mom!”

Lens-Artists Challenge #40 – Something Different

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~ Wordless Wednesday ~

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~ Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #39: Hello April ~

As April arrives, birds continue to call for mates and pairing-up is in full swing. Building or re-furbishing nests is in process, and every once in a while I hear what may be the cheeps of chicks. 

IMG_2117While Jello and I were on our daily walk, a Song Sparrow, perched upon a blackberry vine, belted-out a melodious invitation. 

Twining along the rail to my front door is an Evergreen Clematis, it makes a pretty welcome.

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Clematis armandii ‘Apple Blossom

Spring invites us back outside, and since I like messing around with dirt and plants, this is my favorite time of year.

There’s much cleaning out and planning to do – I call it playing outside! 

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March winds linger, scattering Flowering Plum (Prunus cerasifera) petals into pink drifts. Here they are floating in a birdbath while April showers patter.

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Prunus cerasifera

My neighbor has an admirable copse of Forsythia (seen in the background above) with a lovely Flowering Quince anchoring each end of the border. Such a wonderful shrub!

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Primula “Blue Zebra”

A few years ago I learned that Primroses, sold locally as annuals, actually are perennial evergreens in my zone. They are thriving in a rock garden I can see from the kitchen window  –  my “Primrose Lane” cheers me all winter.

“Flowers are beautiful hieroglyphics of nature, with which she indicates how much she loves us.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Hello April

 

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~ Wordless Wednesday ~

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~ Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #38: Weathered or Worn ~

This week Leya invites us to feature photos of things weathered and worn. Since I enjoy taking pictures of old dilapidated structures and manmade things that are being ravaged and reclaimed by the forces of nature, this was another fun challenge! Here are some gems from my exploration of the Long Beach peninsula.

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Boats of many kinds are moored on water and land throughout the area. This little old craft caught my eye as I drove by, and beckoned me back to take some shots!

 

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Earlier this month, in response to Amy’s challenge #35: Architecture, I featured three churches. At the one most in need of restoration, The Sanctuary in Chinook, the chapel bell rests on the ground. If my interpretation of the maker’s mark is correct it was created at The C.S. Bell foundry in Hillsboro, Oregon in 1938.

 

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Heaps of old crab pots, mountains of oyster shells, and coils of rope are another feature in this coastal community.

 

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At Fort Columbia State Park, this storage building is slowly being consumed by blackberry brambles and the hillside.

 

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A hand-crafted memorial marker in Lone Fir Cemetery.

 

https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2019/03/23/lens-artists-photo-challenge-38-weathered-or-worn/

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