Our recent getaway to Port Townsend had some fine photo ops. This view towards Whidbey Island was about as scenic as it gets, with pink sky reflected on water, AND a rainbow, in case the view wasn’t pretty or colorful enough.

Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies seen around the world, and try Weekend Reflections and Scenic Sunday, too. And remember, you can always click on Sara’s Fave Photo on top for the latest post.

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.

Visit Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday for more photos on the theme. It’s also straight out of the camera, or SOOC. Love those easy sunny exposures! Click on Sara’s Fave Photos above to return to the latest post.

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?

Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies seen around the entire planet, SOOC for more straight-out-of the-camera shots, and Scenic Sunday. Click on the top header, Sara’s Fave Photos, to return to the most current post.

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.

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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I know it’s bad to take photos while driving, but sometimes when the light is good I just do it anyway. Naturally I delete the overwhelming majority of the photos that result, but sometimes I actually like one or two. This is from a couple of weeks ago.

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Here’s another view of the tulip fields taken at the Skagit Valley Tulip festival recently. See the teensy people in the distance?

For more blissful pinkness, visit Pink Saturday. Scenic Sunday has more vistas and other inspired scenery. And you can always get back to the full blog here by clicking on Sara’s Fave Photos at the top of the page.

Last week when I drove up to the tulip festival (more tulips to come soon, I promise) the sky was very springlike and changeable, with sun on the buildings but such a dark sky, so I stuck the camera up and snapped. A little hailstorm hit soon after this shot.

Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies seen round the world. And remember, you can always click on Sara’s Fave Photos on top to get back to the most current photo.

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.