This was taken from my front porch this morning. If you compare it to
this picture taken last week from almost the exact same spot, you might be able to understand why I was just SURE that the weather forecast for today (fog, then rain) was spot on. I was wrong. The sun is shining gloriously out there right now (3:00pm), but it barely made it into the sixty-degree range (15 degrees C). The sun shining through the fog gave me a good silhouette for the flicker who was dining on the suet feeder.
He's got a bit of suet in his beak. We listen for his call nowadays and keep out of sight through the window so we won't scare him when he comes for breakfast. I do love seeing all the birds who come to visit on our porch. This one (I believe he's the one) was taught how to use the feeder last year by his parent, and I tried unsuccessfully to get a picture of the two of them; he's a bit smaller than the others who visit, which is why I think he's the young one.
After deciding to skip the last swimming class but head to the Farmers' Market for some veggies and then swim afterwards, the sun came out and lifted my spirits. It turned out to be a beautiful day, and I captured this picture while waiting in line for my collards and kale.
The beauty of the fractalish cauliflower in the middle, surrounded by a pink strain of cauliflower, created a picture I couldn't resist. There was a bit of sunshine lighting up the center spiral. Now I am at home, looking out at the same front porch scene that was so foggy earlier. The brilliant sunshine makes me just the tiniest bit sorry I didn't go take my chances at Snohomish, hoping for a skydive, but today is turning out to be a very satisfying one, nevertheless.
After my purchases at the market, I walked over to the YMCA and met two of my fellow classmates in the swimming class, who were just finishing up. I got what I wanted out of the class; I now am able to keep kicking when I breathe and it will eventually become second nature. I decided that the flip turn at the end of the lane is not for me, since I'm not trying to set any records and really don't like all that water going up my nose. And I now can swim the backstroke. It was good to have a professional watch me, but all of those drills are not my style at all.
It's looking like we might be able to get together tomorrow, the Trailblazers that is, and maybe make one last "extra" hike before the snow flies. Al is suggesting possibly heading down past Marblemount and trying for
Hidden Lake Peak. Sounds just right to me (9 miles and 3,300 feet elevation gain to a lookout) if the weather cooperates. Since the High Country will be closed to us until spring, and we will be spending our Thursdays hiking close to home, I hope we can do one more. Time to change the batteries in my camera...
:-)
Oh my, is that cauliflower shot beautiful! Never head of the center one, just amazing! And what a view you have, every day of your life, and those hikes just enthrall me. I need to get back to the mountains one of these days. Wonderful post, Jan.
ReplyDeletehope you get that hike in...that is some cool looking cauliflower...love that early morning mist...
ReplyDeleteOh wow. I love this series. And all on the same day! That is incredible. And the silhouette of the flicker! How nice to get second generations visiting. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI love the vegetable displays in the farmer's markets. That photo of cauliflower is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed the sunny weather too. I hope the rain holds off for a while yet this evening, pours itself out overnight, and then lets you go hike in the high country.
Love that photo of the bird, DJan. Are you sure it's the same one as before? lol.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the weather tomorrow. Hope you get to do that hike.
No wonder you wanted to get to the Farmers Market and swim after. I would too.
ReplyDeleteHave a great hike tomorrow.
Do you eat that funny looking green? How does it taste? How about that Pink Cauliflower? Does it taste the same as the regular cauliflower? Have you given up on the swimming lessons..how are you feeling..is the cough ALL gone? Hugs:)
ReplyDeleteThat farmers market photo is awesome. It seems to me the vegetables and flowers are more colorful in Washington state. I'm very jealous of your bird feeding. Sorry you didn't get in one more skydiving day but hopefully you'll get in one more long distance hike. The rest today was probably just what you needed.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that you have a variety of cauliflowers there, I wish we have that too here, we only have the yellow ones but they're very expensive during the wet season. Well seems to be a fine day there, hope you had a lot of fun today and tomorrow!
ReplyDeletelove the cauliflower, for a centerpiece! too pretty to eat!
ReplyDeleteThe series of photos is amazing. It's hard to believe that the sun could ever shine through that fog and yet the day turned out lovely. There must be a message in that, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteThe weather is pretty awesome here, too! I can't believe the Indian summer we're having. We are doing something everyday, granted, it's been a lot of yardwork.
ReplyDeleteI just love that misty, mysterious foggy picture. It's wonderfully beautiful. Your market photos are always fabulous!
Always great when the forecast turns out wrong if it's for the better.
ReplyDeleteToday was our last farmers market. Now we cn just pull our collars up and try to keep warm.
I never saw either kind of cauliflower and they're so pretty in that arrangement. How do they taste? Sounds like you're making great progress in your swimming- well done. And have fun hiking tomorrow. We went from high 60's yesterday to low 50's and rain today, but tomorrow is back to the 70's so I'll take it. Saving my long run until tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSome of my mornings have been just like yours, DJan...hazy fog turning into a wonderful sunny day. The cauliflowers are pretty, but I would have to think twice about eating the pink variety!
ReplyDeleteThree very pretty photos. I'd love to see a flicker. Frank identified one which paused ever so briefly at the cottage, once but it didn't stay long enough for me to get a good look, much less a photo. The silhouette makes a lovely shot.
ReplyDeleteThose farmers markets sound like fun. I wish we had some nearby to our small town. Lots of farmers with huge combines... no local markets. :(
ReplyDeleteI love the shot of the flicker. Had a very personal connection to some baby flickers when I was a kid. Good memories!
ReplyDeleteNever have seen either kind of cauliflower! Wow! Exotic foods you have over there--LOL! ;)
This time of year, especially, the weather can change so drastically from morning till night. You never know what to wear, so layers are best. I hope you make the hike tomorrow and you have good weather--and your battery is charged--LOL! :):)
I appreciate farmers markets more and more as we change how we eat to healthy.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen cauliflower that spectacular! What a great shot. I have missed our farmer's market the past few weeks and need to get down there before the good stuff is gone!
ReplyDeleteWe had a glorious sunny day on Saturday down south!
What a magnificent photo !!!
ReplyDeleteI love cauliflower in all it's incarnations.
Hugs to you!
Our day started off about the same as your, overcast early but a gorgeous sunny afternoon. We are suppose to have rain all day tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThe cauliflower is so pretty. I have been wanting to try some of the pink but it seems to sell out at the farmers market before they get it off the truck. The vendor only had small amounts.
Hope you get to do your extra hike.