For the long Thanksgiving weekend we went up to Seattle. Normally we just head up to Edmonds to do some SCUBA diving, but this time we decided to stay downtown Seattle (then go diving on the way back home). This typical bypass of Seattle meant that it had been a while since we wandered around town and visited the sights. The highlights included getting a “Piroshky Piroshky” potato and cheese piroshky at Pike’s Place, walking all the way out to the Space Needle at night, and going to the Seattle Aquarium.
While we had been in Seattle back in April (for Scott Sigler’sbook signing), it had been years since we last visited the aquarium. Apparently, there had been a lot of work done on the aquarium in those years. Previously, the entrance was in the middle and inside, and there was the IMAX theater residing next to the entrance and gift shop. Now the entrance is on the south side of the pier. It looked like the aquarium acquired all the theater space for expansion. Inside the entrance there was a new large tank and a new open area exhibit room. This new area also included tube shaped tanks that were home to two giant pacific octopi. One was hanging out in a tube that connected the two tanks (it was at eye level and you could walk under the tube). The other was smashed up in a corner of the larger of the two tanks.
After seeing all these improvements, I was a bit bummed that I hadn’t brought my DSLR (only the little Casio that we use for diving). Ah well, at least now I know. Next time I will endeavor be better prepared. :)
Now that I’m looking at the settings that were used to take this photo I have no idea how the hell I was able to get the photo as sharp as I did. Half a second and handheld (granted I had the camera pushed up against the tank, but still)? Really? ::boggle:: I suppose the anti-wobble function on this camera actually does work once in a while.
The week of Christmas 2008 we got a decent snow storm that brought Portland to an effective standstill for several days. While my work was closed for the week, I took advantage of the new scenery in my yard by taking photos until I got too cold.
I love the glow of the ice and snow that seems to be self generated. Hopefully I was able to capture that effectively in this image.
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Technical Details
Aperture Value: f/9
Focal Length: 55mm
Exposure Program: Aperture Priority
ISO: 400
Shutter Speed Value: 1/160 sec
Location: My front yard, Vancouver, Washington
The weather today is 24°F and with the wind chill it’s… well… colder. The good news? It’s sunny. :)
While I do love this winter weather, I don’t particularly enjoy the cold feet aspect. I like to fend off the cold with a fluffy blanket, some hot tea, and thoughts of Hawaiian palm trees swaying slightly amidst warm tropical breezes.
Didn’t you hear? Giant spiders are the new black. They’re all the rage this season.
This was actually a Twitter inspired piece. (Yeah, I know. It’s been a while since I did one of those.) You can thank @KJToo for his wonderful tweet of inspiration by sending him boxes of large live spiders. Preferably ones that have been exposed to cosmic rays. ;)
The hardworking minions over at The Secret Lair try to get the teleporters up and running for the overlords. Why does it suddenly smell like a combination of burnt popcorn and toasted electronics? Hmm… I wonder if this has anything to do with it?
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