John has been taking a break from all kinds of media for about one month. So far, it has been a wonderful, enlightening experience. If you are old enough, think back to a time when there was no internet and before you had a personal computer, and way before your smartphone. It's truly difficult for me to describe the difference. There are positives and negatives on both sides.
Quick update: My 2-mile daily walks have continued while taking the break. This morning, May 16th, while on the walk along the waterfront, I was reflecting on how nice the weather was and how good I felt as one approaching the platinum celebration of life. All is well.
Thank you for stopping by. As for when I might return to regular publishing here on John's Island ... I'm just not sure. To all my friends ... take care and be well.
I've been walking every day. Here are a few pics from early April. Most of these pics were taken during my walks. Those of you who've been following the blog know that walking daily is a challenge I set for myself in early 2021. So, I'm working on my second year now. My #1 recommendation for improving your own wellness is to start walking daily, about 2 miles (3.21km) or more.
Signs of Spring
At work on this year's nest. [Click on images for larger view.] See lots more critter pics via Saturday's Critters!
On the left ... After a very rainy night On the right ... new growth
Daily Start Photo
Every day, at the start of my walk, at a certain spot I snap a photo of the scene to record the sky condition. Above are 4 different days in early April.
Reflections
On the left ... a reflection in the walk path On the right ... the trees above
Just happened to be at the right spot at the right time to catch the rising sun reflecting off the windows of the Space Needle April 6th 6:59AM
Ships
At anchor, waiting for the opportunity to be loaded with grain at the Grain Terminal.
The "Great Hope" being loaded with grain from the Mid-West destined for Asia
Cruise ship season is about to open in Seattle later in April. Here is Ovation of the Seas arriving April 8, 2022, but not to start its summer cruise season yet. Seattle Cruse Ship Schedule 2022 - PDF
Skies
I like the beams of light. Looking west from Seattle over Puget Sound Bainbridge Island in the distance.
Just after sunset, April 5th Click to see the large image. Then, take a long look at the bright cloud, in the center, just above the mountains. What do you see? 😈
...**⇹**...
Experiment
April, 2022
A day or two after this post I’m starting an experiment. Realizing there is little I can do about the state of the world, perhaps taking a break from
the steady stream of information regarding how humans treat other humans might
improve my own sense of wellbeing. I’m starting with an expectation of taking a
month, maybe more, for my experiment. What I’m going to do is disconnect from
media of all sorts. No more following the news on the internet and trying to figure
out what is true and what isn’t. Same for news on TV, radio, newspapers, etc.
Also cutting back on social media, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Tired of so much negativity without realistic plans for improvement. Humankind is in a state of disarray.
Although there has long been speculation about the “end times”, it seems to me
we are closer than ever. So many humans trying to force their own beliefs
on other humans. So, I’m taking a break from it. The reason I mention this is,
for those of you who blog, or follow me on other social media, you may not see
me for a while. No worries, all is well. And especially to my blog friends ... my experiment is not about you ... you are, for the most part, encouraging and uplifting. However, this experiment cannot be carried out peacemeal. Taking a break from the internet means taking a break from blogging. So, see you again soon. Take care, be well, and stay safe!
Yesterday morning, before my walk,I looked out to see the full Worm Moon. The Worm Moon is the last full moon of winter. The name refers to the time of year when worm-looking beetle larvae emerge from the bark of trees as spring approaches and temperatures warm.
Full Worm Moon, March 18th behind a thin layer of clouds.
Unusual sunset, March 8th
Sunset with a silver lining, March 9th
Birds
Thanks to those who let me know this is a Double-crested Cormorant.
Canada Goose During the several minutes I watched this bird, it did not move, and it stayed on one foot the entire time. I am curious if it is just resting on one foot, or does it have just one foot?
Port Pics
First day of "Daylight Saving" and it is dark again as I start my walk.
First fishing vessel to see in a while.
Morning of March 18th. Green for day before ... St Patrick's Day
Newest grain ship at the Grain Terminal The Okinawa
The Monrovia flag always catches my attention.
Nice to see a fully loaded container ship arriving. Note the variety of containers.
Darya Shanti being loaded with grain from our Midwest farms.
Along my walk
Signs of Spring
Early light of sunrise tints the sky ... clouds blanket the top of Mt Rainier.
Mount Rainier on two different mornings.
Couldn't believe I was seeing this photo in New York Times. For a moment, I thought it was mine. Ha Ha. Must have been taken from the same spot where I take a daily start photo for my walks. The image here is a screen shot from NYT online. PRINT EDITION Restoring Nature While Building - March 16, 2022, Page B7
Compare to NYT's pic above.
This morning - Saturday, March 19, 2022 7:57AM
Always tempting.
John's closing thought ...
Russia's "Special Military Operation" is a tragedy for humanity.
One year agoI challenged myself to walk about 2 miles, almost every day, for a year. As of today I've completed the challenge, missing only 12 days in the last 365.
Mt Rainier on a clear morning just before sunrise. February 25 6:51AM [Click on images for larger view]
I have been walking on Seattle's Elliott Bay Trail which goes right along the waterfront. I like to walk early in the morning and every day I take my camera along to snap a few photos of things that interest me. For the last year most of the photos here on the blog have been taken on the walks with a few others taken from home.
Critters
Ducks seen in the last couple of weeks. For more critters visit Saturday's Critters
Ships
Marine vessels seen in the last couple of weeks. Top left: High Speed Passenger Ferry enroute Seattle (Zoomed in a lot but liked the morning sun.) Bottom left: Foss Tug Top right: Ship loading at Grain Terminal Bottom right: Ship at anchor awaiting Grain Terminal
Miscellaneous
Top left: Rainy morning Bottom left: Reflections Top right: Reading while walking ... can you do this? 😉 Bottom right: Frosty morning
Hummingbirds
Recent shots of hummers around home.
Skies
Brilliant sunset March 2nd 5:57PM The view is looking to the west from Seattle
Sunsets from home, except bottom right ... just before sunrise at start of walk.
Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday Thankful to have a place to link up Mission Accomplished. Thanks Michelle!
John's closing thought ... A daily walk can become a great habit. I highly recommend it.
Wordle is a web-based word gamedeveloped by Josh Wardle. Players have six attempts to guess a five-letter word, with feedback given for each guess in the form of colored tiles indicating when letters match or occupy the correct position. The game first appeared online last October. So far, there is only one Wordle each day. If you enjoy word puzzels this game is addictive. Today, February 11, I played Wordle (#237) and got the correct answer on the third try. The very first line above shows the "share" results.
For first time visitors: My current challenge is to walk about 2 miles every day for a year. I started around the first of March last year, so I have about 3 more weeks to meet my goal. Yes, I've walked the walk almost every day and I've done it along Seattle's Elliott Bay Trail which goes right along the waterfront. Every walk I stop at the spot in the first picture above to snap a photo which will remind me of the sky conditions. During the winter, our days here in Seattle are short, and since I like to walk early, the darkness adds to the challenge of getting good photos. As I'm walking, I carry along my little Canon SX 730 camera to snap a few photos of things that interest me. I choose a few of the snaps to share here on the blog.
I snapped this because the water was so smooth. This is unusual in a big body of water like Elliott Bay which is a part of Puget Sound.
I happened upon this little critter just as it found breakfast.
I love the look of the Mallard duck. If you love critters, check out Saturday's Critters!
Every morning I walk by Grain Teminal 86. This is where grain from US Midwest is loaded on ships. The ships are headed to the largest grain market in the world ... Asia. I especially liked the name of this ship ... Magic Twilight
This is the Magic Twilight being loaded with grain at twilight. February 8th at 7:17AM
More views of the Magic Twilight
I always enjoy the view of Mt Rainier but this snap is especially to capture the "linticular" clouds. Read about them HERE on Wikipedia. The clouds are a natural creation caused by the mountain.
I smiled when I snapped this photo. I dedicate this photo to all those who believe governments are poisioning us with contrails. I just don't think so.
Musical Interlude
I happened to discover this delightful tune on YouTube. Enjoy! The Spinning Song by Keola Beamer. (Ka Hikina O Ka Hau: The Coming of the Snow)
Supply Chain Notes ...
The big ships are leaving here with loads of containers but they are not loaded to the max as was common before the pandemic.
This CMA CGM ship could have carried quite a few more containers on the forward part of the ship. This view is looking from Seattle to the west, the water is Puget Sound. The trip for the ship to reach the Pacific Ocean will take about 4 hours. Then, 10 to 14 days to Asia.
Amazing Eagle Video
In my September 4 post I told the story of encountering Matt and Patti along the waterfront as they were banding a Cooper's Hawk. They were kind enough to allow me to take photos to place on the blog. I continue to see Matt along the walk from time to time and we usually stop for a brief chat about what birds are being seen in the area. Matt told me about a video he had put together from still photos that tells the story of a Bald Eagle capturing a Seagull. I asked Matt if I could share this video here on the blog and his reply, "You bet John". Thank you Matt ... you take amazing photos!
Closing Shots
Especially pretty sunset February 9th 5:18PM Looking west from Seattle to the Olympic Mountains in the far distance.
Favorite photo so far this year. February 9th - Hummer at sunset.
