seattle pics

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Shorts in a Rain Storm?

Shorts in a rain storm? Typical Seattle? You bet. Seattle folks can seem pretty casual about rain sometimes, like this guy on Capitol Hill. This storm hasn't been really cold, just blustery with a lot of thunder and lightning and hail. Toward the end of the month we'll be putting our winter tires on our vehicles and pulling out the wooly jumpers, Northface jackets, scarves, hats, gloves, and thick jeans. But right now, it is more beautiful than bleak. The lovely fallen leaves are beginning to pile up now, and if you'd care to see the hail piled up in my garden yesterday, just click More Seattle Stuff.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Skywatch: November Storm

I took this shot of Seattle's skyline and I-5 in the rain yesterday evening, looking out from Capitol Hill. We had our first good storm last night with lightning, hail, wind, downpour and thunder claps so big they shook the house and sent the kitties scrambling for cover. It's Skywatch Friday and you can see skies from all over or contribute a photo of your own by clicking here.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Lines & Reflecton

Several SDP visitors have mentioned living here for years and not yet visiting the Central Library. It is an amazing space inside and out, and you will enjoy going just to do a self tour of the place. I was trying to get a shot that contained strong graphic elements and reflections when this trio walked past me into the scene and peered down from this third floor overlook down to the first floor. If you'd like to see what they saw, click my More Seattle Stuff page.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

iPhone Wednesday #17: Museum Steps

These steps are on the south side of the Seattle Art Museum and help pedestrians start an ascent up the steep street. The design elements running along this elevation catch a glint of late afternoon sunlight. Hammering Man is visible at the corner, and pedestrians cast long shadows as they walk up the street.
Ming the Merciless has an iPhone Wednesday shot to share with you, too.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Angled Tunnel

As promised, another entryway. This one is on the east side of the Central Library. The steel diamond grid that forms the exterior shell of the building descends as an open work past the glass wall on the first floor which angles back. The shapes are reflected in the glass. I liked looking down the tunnel it forms leading to the east library entrance and to Chocolati, the on site coffee and chocolate source that makes hanging at the library on a rainy day an even more splendid experience.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Garfield Community Center Doorway

Here is a runner up shot I considered for yesterday's theme day, and I'll have another doorway for you tomorrow. I was walking in the Central District and thought this was such an interesting entrance. It caught my eye from a block away. The steps leading up to it have many thought provoking sayings written in bronze letters on the stair kicks. The doors themselves are conventional glass doors you might find anywhere, but the cast aluminum sculpture suspended above them defining the space is far from common. It is the Kuba Textile Grill based on traditional textile patterns of the Kuba people of Zaire, Africa, and is the work of Beliz Brother & Mark Calderon, 1994. I also like the cheery element of the colored tiles spaced randomly in the brickwork facade.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Theme Day: Doorways

It's a beautiful fall day here with blue sky, puffy clouds, autumn colored leaves all around, and it's November 1, and our CDPB monthly theme day: Doorways. I saw this guy framed against the light in a 3rd floor doorway of the central library. The entire 3rd floor (walls, ceilings, floors, doors, hallways, access panels) is entirely red and high gloss. His reflection echos on the curving walls and the shiny floor. You can see doorways all around the world today. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.