This is one of my very top faves, taken just a few weeks ago. It’s straight out of the camera, too (most of these blog posts are, but this one really looks fake!) and I just like it a lot. Hope you do, too.

For more scintillating shadows seen, visit Shadow Shot Sunday. Have a sibilant day!

I’m still in that rose mood. The sun’s been shining, and there are still some flowers on the rosebushes, although this particular photo was taken a few weeks ago. If only that transporting scent could be conveyed to you, dear readers. Perhaps computing power will achieve that some day, but until then, the photo will just have to suggest it.

For more perfect pinkness, visit Pink Saturday.

FREE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE: http://creativetechs.com/training/category/10-week-digital-photography-course/ Another plug for the best deal on the web, a free photography course. It’s in the middle of the ten weeks, but on Wednesday they are going to cover Part 2 of Aesthetics, and Part 1 was fabulous. It’s free to watch the online seminar, but if you want to rewatch it or watch later, you have to pay a bit. Totally worth it, and so many free resources on their site. Definitely check it out. Superior to anything I’ve seen out there.

Driving home from a meeting, still in the parking lot, I looked up and there was a photo, practically like Arizona, somehow. I’ve been totally loving the blue, blue skies we’ve had this year. In my six years in the Seattle area, this far and away the sunniest weather we’ve had. I feel so lucky.

Visit Skywatch Friday for other fabulous local skies. And don’t forget to look up!

I’m trying out a new meme, Window Wednesday. Here’s a photo of Seattle last month that I like a lot, and I hope you do, too.

You’ve gotta love backyard tomatoes. It’s just remarkable how different they are from store-bought, even those “on the vine” ones with the green tops they sell these days. The complexity and magnificence of the flavor of a homegrown tomato is just . . . well, words fail me. Hope the photo helps a little.

For more fascinating macros, visit Macro Monday. For more photos with at least a splash of yellow, visit Mellow Yellow Monday. And heck, let’s get Ruby Tuesday in on this as well! Anyone for more bright colors at Color Carnival?

Taken from the shady part of my yard, looking to the sunnier area, you can see there’s no problem with having flowers in shade, thanks to fuschias, wax begonias and red impatiens. I love that they need almost no care after planting except watering. The coleus (those spiky things) grown easily from seed did very well also. The sunflower is a volunteer from feeding the birds.

For more flowers around the world, visit Today’s Flowers, and for more scenic shots, visit Scenic Sunday.

Downtown Burien Washington, south of Seattle, is really getting spiffed up. A new town square is home to fairs, sculpture, the works. Here’s a shadow shot for you from a recent afternoon. For more shadows around the world seen so very creatively, visit Shadow Shot Sunday.

Burien iron bench with sidewalk shadows

These grew on roadsides where I lived in Northern California, although there they seemed to be a bit paler pink. They are also called Naked Ladies, not just from their blushing tones, but because they grow a rosette of strappy leaves in the winter which die back, and then in late summer the blade-topped stalks push up through the dry dirt all by themselves; naked, as it were. They are wonderfully fragrant and related to the amaryllis. If you grow them, plant in a sunny, very well drained area, and then leave them alone.

For more pink wonderfulness, visit Pink Saturday.

I’ve chosen this post as Best Post of the Week. For more truly interesting self-selected BPOTW, check them out.

And for more brilliant colors of all hues, visit Color Carnival.

Driving up the Viaduct I couldn’t resist clicking the camera out my open window. Happy Skywatch Friday!

On a walk with a friend, I visited the Highline Seatac Botanical Garden this past week. So beautiful. If you are in the area, it’s a must. Not too huge, a perfect strolling size, flat, and wonderful. I really like it, can you tell? I’ve got to go back and really take some photos before the fall weather gets serious here.