These aren't great photos but this male Western Tanager didn't stick around long. He had a female companion but she was very shy. His brilliant colors really stood out against our pine tree. But I was shooting through a picture window (which could use a wash) and didn't have time to do anything but point and shoot. Still, he's a beautiful bird.
This past weekend friends M & A stayed a couple nights with us while making there way back down from the Canadian San Juans to their home in Oakland. We spent a relaxing afternoon strolling through the International District.
Gotta wash down the red bean rolls with something. We headed to Oasis Tea Zone for bubble tea. There's bound to be a flavor or style you like here. This day I had a coconut milk tea with tapioca. Mmmmmmm.
S tries to decide on a book in the cavernous Elliot Bay Book Co..
We discover a glass works store and stop to watch glass blowers at work creating wonderful pieces.
It was really hot just standing next to the room. I don't know how these guys could take that heat that was actually pouring from the room. There was on floor fan but I hardly think it did much.
My plans to go explore the tide pools on the Kitsap Peninsula as part of my birthday weekend fell through, way through, to the other side of the planet. I would not be denied, however, and found refuge in the very low tides at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park along Beach Dr. So I got my fix of mucking about in the sand and squish looking for critters and other such specimens. S didn't feel the need to slime up her Keens so she soaked up the sun on a bench up high while I gingerly stepped from soggy mass to encrusted rock, bending here, squatting there, peering under rocks (which I immediately and delicately replaced after observing the tiny eco systems living beneath), and swishing aside various forms of water flora to get a better look what might lie beneath. That was swell of her to wait for me. She was with me in more than spirit but not in slime and that was OK. It was nice that she hung out close by so I could share my discoveries. 
Usually you see plenty of dead crab parts and sometimes, but dead and empty, crabs. This one, however, was very much alive and full and wasn't budging. Just waiting for that tide to come back in and carry him to safety, far from the seagulls. And below you can see some of the growth process of the barnacles found everywhere. 
This is the view from where S sat and waited. Two other curious tidal explorers can be seen. 
I followed this hermit crab for a while. As soon as I picked it up it retreated into the shell.
The main bodies of each of these two crabs were about the size of a quarter. Neither was in a mood to be picked up so all I did was snap pics. I like their colors. 
Walking to the farmer's market on Sunday is quite respectable at 6 miles round trip. Let's not forget the hills that go UP on the way home. This week we treated ourselves to goods from flying apron bakery. Vegan, wheat and gluten-free and drop dead delicious! Don't let the vegan part fool you, these are baked goods. Eat them sparingly. However, you won't find butter, lard, shortening, etc. so that is healthier than conventional pastry. I also don't see any refined white sugar in these two items either. Another plus. Apricot Thumbprints
organic brown rice flour, organic garbanzo bean flour, organic safflower oil, organic rice milk, organic evaporated cane juice, organic Turkish apricots, organic lemon juice, pure vanilla extract, baking powder, sea salt
Got Miso? Need Pocky?
Bubble tea at Oasis across the street to energize before walking back to the opposite end of downtown.
This summer I got a bike. I haven't had a bike since I was in Junior High/High School. The bike is a basic hybrid, built for comfort, but with plenty of gears to get me up and down the Seattle topography. Seattle is a great place to learn about bikes. Plenty of bike shops and folks who live to bike. I'm not sure I will ever be one of those folks (I'm a pedestrian/hiker to the core) but I'm really enjoying the bike. Check out this metal sculpture of three cyclists. I look just like this when I ride.
You're never sure what you might see. Along the way you can spot affordable waterfront property. This one comes with some appliances.
Technically, the GRT begins at Cecil Moses Memorial Park and we've begun the trail there in the past. But I prefer to begin further south at Bicentennial Park in Tukwila. From here to the Riverbend Golf Complex in Kent you're pushing 15 miles round trip and that's pretty respectable as far as I'm concerned. And this ride is much more scenic than the stretch between Cecil Moses Park and Bicentennial Park. The golf course is a good place to turn around but you can certainly go farther on the GRT then hook up with the Interurban Trail and ride all the way to Auburn. Someday. I'm new to biking and I'll get there little by little.
Crossing the river to the west side because of the detour. This is looking south. This is the second bridge between our starting point and the golf course.
Looking north, in the direction the river flows.
I was traveling lightly this day, only carrying a Nikon Coolpix in the pocket of my cargo shorts.
I think this is going to be a bountiful blackberry route in another 4-6 weeks.
Heading back to the GRT, looking to the east side of the river.
Yes, a beaver dam. I did catch sight of a beaver on one trip. Clearly, there's more than one.
Total distance traveled (in kilometers) as recorded by my Cateye Enduro 8 cyclometer, an early birthday present from S. A very good ride.
There was so much good food at the fair. Had delicious falafel that wasn't dry and bitter. Had wonderful juice drinks.
Had a decadent dessert dish of coconut ice cream on top of sweet, sticky rice. One is all you need until next year's fair. Very rich. Shared a Frisco Chicken sandwich which is one of the must haves if you go. Saw more stilt walkers in one place than ever before. Nabbed a couple of cool t-shirts. Visited with M & A, old friends of S who help run a tie-dye booth.
This is why you need to wear sunscreen.
