We were lucky enough to be able to slip away for just a couple of days to Port Townsend, Washington. It was a first visit, but won’t be the last. The weather was alternately sunny and rainy, making magnificent skies and vistas, and even some rainbows which I will post later. This view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca is from the dock at Fort Worden. Back here in the gray, drizzly weather in Seattle, just looking at it makes me smile.

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Just got back from a getaway in Port Townsend, WA, a very lovely seaside town. This lilac was blooming in the yard of the place where we stayed. The sun peeked out and I ran out to get the photo. A minute later all was gray, the way spring skies can be.

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I was in a beautiful old garden down past Tacoma a week or so ago. The skies were amazing that day! My sky post for last week with the towering puffy clouds was taken that same afternoon. Cirrus clouds are some of my top faves, as they look like down wisps or cotton candy being spun, or, well, what do they look like to you?

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The other day the clouds were just wild. I know it’s not safe to snap photos while driving, but sometimes it’s just imperative. I was blown away by the huge, towering forms in the deep blue sky. It looks like it was raining under them, but all was sunny and gorgeous where I was.

Visit Skywatch Friday for more interesting skies from around the planet, and Scenic Sunday for amazing sights of all kinds. Remember, you can always see today’s post by clicking on Sara’s Fave Photos above.

A shady creek on a sunny day yields some lovely ripples and reflections.

Visit Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday after you’re done here. And remember, you can always return to the most current photo here by clicking on Sara’s Fave Photos above. Browse around!

Finally a break in the gray weather. Had a moment to stop at the overlook near my house in Normandy Park with its vista of Puget Sound at dusk, my favorite time of day.

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We’ve had mostly very gray skies lately, and cool temperatures, but we did have a sunbreak or two and I got to get this photo of our pink dogwood tree.

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Here’s the thing about apples: they must have cross pollination to set fruit. And even if there is another apple tree nearby, if the bees aren’t out doing their thing, you may have to help nature along. Here in Seattle where sunshine is an occasional thing (“sun breaks,” anyone?) it will definitely increase your harvest to get out there and help.

How? Take a clean, dry, soft artist’s paintbrush, or even a Q-tip, and brush the pollen carefully on a bunch of flowers on Tree A. Then go to Tree B (a different apple variety) and brush some more. Back and forth a few times should do it. Of course for a big tree, you can only do so much, but for dwarf backyard trees, you will make a huge difference.

We have two trees of the “columnar” type. They’re a super skinny, super dwarf size, good in containers, and both can be hand pollinated in just a few minutes. Go back in a few days when more blossoms have opened and do it again. You’ll be glad you did.

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These were taken by my sister when we visited the tulip festival last week. I think hers are pretty wonderful. I wish I took that top one!

Please visit Macro Flowers Saturday, Color Carnival, Pink Saturday, Shadow Shot Sunday and Scenic Sunday after your visit here.

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This one below is of me.

Yet another view from the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. For more skies seen round the world, visit Skywatch Friday. And try Scenic Sunday for more scenery, what else?

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