On last week’s trip to Las Vegas for that conference held at the Flamingo Hotel, mid strip, like most conferences we were stuck inside for long hours, but there was a short break that included a walk through the Habitat section of the hotel’s grounds, with real flamingoes, by the way. I’ll post them later, but today wanted to share how the hotel looked reflected in one of the pools for the abundant birdlife. Do you see the fish?

Visit Weekend Reflections, Shadow Shot Sunday, Scenic Sunday, SOOC (straight out of the camera), Window Views and Blue Monday if you’ve a yen for more variations on a theme, or the home blog of some great photo memes. And if there’s only one measly photo showing here, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for lots more.

I know everyone likes the sunshiny skies, but since this IS Seattle, once in awhile I have to show what it truly looks like. These clouds over Volunteer Park do have a little tone variation, and you can tell I’ve lived here for a bit, because I do appreciate that the clouds aren’t just one tone of gray! Seattle doesn’t actually get any more rain than New York City, say, only about 36 inches a year on average, but it sure is cloudy, a lot. Did I mention dark and cloudy?

Anyway, be sure to visit Skywatch Friday for more skies all around the world. Outdoor Wednesday has more outdoor photos of all kind, and Scenic Sunday has more great scenery. If there’s just one photo here, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the full blog.

Palm trees silhouetted against a sunset sky . . . what could be better? I feel relaxed just looking at it. Our conference in Las Vegas at the Flamingo Hotel did keep me busy morning to night, but I did sneak some pictures, thank goodness.

Visit Skywatch Friday for more fascinating skies seen round the world. This one is definitely SOOC, or straight out of the camera, and Scenic Sunday has some more scenery for you, too. Pink Saturday has more pretty pinks!

I like this photo a lot and am calling it my Best Post of the Week.

I’m back from a conference at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, and here’s a pretty fountain with flamingo sculptures for you, taken early this morning. The statues were metallic but the light was pink.

More water photos at Watery Wednesday and more scenic things at Outdoor Wednesday and Scenic Sunday. It’s also straight out of the camera (SOOC), with no tweaking at all.

If there is only one photo here, be sure to click on Sara’s Fave Photos to see the rest of them.

That overlook near my house in Normandy Park, Washington didn’t disappoint in yesterday’s good weather at sunset. Mount Rainier is lookin’ picture-postcard good. Those tiny orange-leafed trees and houses seem very much like a painting that I’ve seen somewhere. And did you realize that even though it’s pronounced rah-NEER, it’s spelled like “rain-ier” (rainy-er!) which I think is a hoot. And that helps you remember to put in both i’s.

Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies around the world, and Scenic Sunday for more scenery (of course).

One post only on this page means there’s lots more to see if you click on Sara’s Fave Photos. Do try something new here, perhaps a search for “Rainier”?

Nothing like a waterfront park, is there? Seahurst Park, this little gem of a local park in Burien, Washington, looks out over Puget Sound to some islands and the Olympic Mountains in the distance. I think it’s lovely in the late afternoon, with the soft light falling on the new grass, happy with all the rain we’ve been getting. The leaves are going to sleep, but the lawns are waking up!

Visit Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Midweek Blues (a new meme!), Blue Monday and Scenic Sunday for more photos on the theme.

If you’d like to view the complete blog and there’s only one photo on this page, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the whole enchilada.

I know I’ve posted a few photos of autumn leaves recently, but how can I resist when I see an image like this one? The local (mostly gray) weather makes me run for my camera whenever the sun shines and I can get outside. I took this one yesterday on a little walk near my house. I have never appreciated sunshine like I do now that I live in Seattle, that’s for sure.

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday and SOOC Sunday (straight out of the camera), Scenic Sunday, Blue Monday and Color Carnival for more super photos with a theme.

If you’ve arrived via a permalink and you see only one photo here, you might click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the full blog experience. And do click on a new tag or category, or even a search for something less obvious. You never know what you might find.

This is a very strong favorite of mine. I’m calling it my best post of the week.

Looking upwards (or downwards) can sometimes really perk up a photo. This one is hot off the memory card, taken just this afternoon. The day started off beautifully sunny after a week of rain, and I was hot to photograph some of those incredible leaves before another rain system removed them forever. But when I could get outside, it was starting to be overcast—not the best sky for photographs of glorious fall color. But looking upwards yielded some blue, a perfect complement for the flaming orange leaves.

Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies seen around the world. Color Carnival has more bright colors, and SOOC has more straight-out-of-the-camera shots.

If there is only one photo on this page, do click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the full blog. And while you are here, you might try a tag or category to see some others you might like.

Nothing as delightful as a bit of water splashing into a pond, is there? This scenic view was taken a few weeks ago at the Highline Botanical Garden, south of Seattle. The gardeners in this area, the Pacific Northwest, are very skilled at combining leaves and textures for a subtle but lovely effect. It’s an Asian influence, I understand.

Visit Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday for more of the same, and try SOOC (straight out of the camera) and Scenic Sunday as well. Weekend Reflections has some fascinating visual reflections for your enjoyment.

Be sure to try something new here; maybe search for “Highline” to see other shots taken in that lovely garden area. If you see only one post here, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the full blog.

There has been fog in the mornings recently. This is my neighbors’ yard from our house. Fog makes it all so quiet and mysterious!

Visit Skywatch Friday for more photos of skies seen around the world, and Scenic Sunday likewise for scenery. And while you’re here, do try another tag or category, or a search for something interesting. Fog, perhaps? To visit the latest post here, click on Sara’s Fave Photos.