June in Seattle

Greetings to followers and visitors. Thanks for stopping by John's Island where John posts photos to the web with the thought that maybe some other folks might enjoy seeing what's going on in his little part of the world.

Today's post consists of a variety of scenes all happening within the last couple of weeks in or around Seattle, Washington, USA.

John walks around Green Lake almost daily and
is impressed with this form of exercise.

Whether as a group, or individually, this just looks
like fun.

This is actually what most people would call a weed.
It is difficult to capture the subtle, almost white, color of the bloom.

Didn't have this one in time for Mother's Day.
Mom has her work cut out for her keeping an eye on all these
youngsters.  And we thought 8 was a lot.

Do you really have to bother me while dining?

John likes the color.

Like a stream of yellow.

It is hard to tell in this photo but both parents were standing
on one foot ... as if they were asleep. The little ones
were sound asleep.

Father's Day dawn, June 16, 2013
Looking northeast from downtown Seattle.
The mountains in the distance are the Cascades.
John likes the church spire in the lower middle.

Same day, a little later, looking more to the east.

This little critter was causing the crows in surrounding trees
to make quite a bit of racket, thus alerting John to his presence.
John was on his daily walk around Green Lake.

The Emerald City on the morning of June 16, 2013
This view is from the "ship canal bridge" looking southwest.

Lilly pads at the Japanese Garden

Looking skyward through a canopy of red leaves on a
tree at the Japanese Garden.

Sunset and Music Recommendation

Looking out to the northwest as the sun has just set on June 4, 2013
A few contrails added to the natural.
Just over two weeks to summer solstice and the sun
is near its most northerly setting spot
along the range of Olympic Mountains to the west.

Do you enjoy classical piano music?  If so, you may want to check out the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition which is currently underway and being streamed on the web.  The Preliminary and Semifinal Rounds have been completed and the Final Round will begin tomorrow, June 6th, at 7:30 PM Central Daylight Time.  The Competition, which started in 1962, is held once every four years, in Fort Worth, Texas. As the Competition got underway there were 30 competitors from all over the world. An esteemed panel of 13 judges selected 12 semifinalists. That has now been narrowed to the final 6. Check out the website and enjoy the finals of this wonderful piano competition.

http://cliburn.org/landing.html

Thank you for stopping by John's Island.

Mountain Sunrise, Rock Wall, Wildflower

A nearby hill (center) and distant mountain range (right) are silhouetted in this mountain sunrise on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 in southwest Montana.

Be sure and check out more sky photos in Skywatch Friday

Yesterday, we posted about an area known as Palisades along the Madison river. A large wall of rock lines the edge of the river for probably a quarter or half mile. The height of the wall must be about 200 feet and contains some interesting layers. Below we have an overview photo and then an enlargement to show you the detail.

The general elevation of this area is about 5500 feet.  Mountain wildflowers are abundant, although not many have bloomed this early.  The one below is a tiny flower, but we thought interesting and colorful.

Today's "point to ponder" ...

If you have to be happy

you will always be unhappy.

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Thank you for stopping by John's Island.

Palisades Montana

Please be sure to click on the photo for the larger view. This is an area in southwest Montana known as The Palisades. It's bordered by a very large wall of rocks along the Madison River. The photo was taken on May 15, 2013, near the Palisades Campground. The whole area is remote and home of many kinds of wildlife. While visiting here we spotted a family of Canadian geese taking their very young goslings out for one of their first floats on the river. The geese were on the opposite side of the river so we have a series of enlargements. Focus and tiny movements keep perfection out of the captures, but still hope you will enjoy.

Mom keeping an eye on kids

Come on, kids ...

Mom calling for daddy?

Dad arrives.

All is well.

The Madison flows out of Yellowstone Park and joins up with the Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers to form the Missouri River near Three Forks, Montana.  The Missouri, of course, flows into the Mississippi which ultimately flows into the Gulf of Mexico.  (Just wanted to give you the scope!)

Thank you for stopping by John's Island.

Tobacco Root Mountains

The Tobacco Root Mountains
as seen from near Norris, Montana
Photo taken May 14, 2013
Click on photo for larger view.

From Wikipedia ...


The Tobacco Root Mountains lie in the northern Rocky Mountains, between the Jefferson and Madison Rivers in southwest Montana.The highest peak is Hollowtop at 10,604 feet (3,232 m). The range contains 43 peaks rising to elevations greater than 10,000 feet (3048 m).

Much of the central part of the range is within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, although many, mostly small patented mining claims exist within the forest boundary. The range saw significant gold mining, especially during the 1880s to 1930s.

The high peaks have been extensively glaciated, and most of the larger stream valleys held valley glaciers during the ice age.

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John is visiting Montana for a few days.  We are sharing some of the views along the way.  The area is southwest Montana not far from Yellowstone National Park.

You will never

"have it all together" 

That's like trying to

eat once and for all!

----- Dr. Robert Anthony

Thank you for stopping by John's Island.

Old Mission - Idaho

The Oldest Building in Idaho
Photo taken May 9th, 2013

From Wikipedia ....

Coeur d' Alene's Old Mission State Park is a state park and National Historic Landmark in North Idaho, USA. It is also known as the Mission of the Sacred Heart or Cataldo Mission. It contains the church itself, the parish house, and the surrounding property. Mission of the Sacred Heart is also the oldest standing building in Idaho.

Read more about the Old Mission in Wikipedia

"Time and space are fragments of the infinite for the use of finite creatures."  --- Henri Frederic Amiel

Sphinx Mountain Montana

Sphinx is the dome at right.
Madison Mountain Range, Southwest Montana
Late afternoon, mid May, 2013

Info on Sphinx Mountain is here and here.

"The quieter you become, the more you can hear."   --- Baba Ram Dass

Thank you for stopping by John's Island.