iPhoneography

Hello followers! Have you been reading about what's happening in the digital camera market these days? I've been kind of surprised to find out that sales for all stand-alone digital cameras, except the very high end models, have been on the decline for the last year or two. It turns out that more and more people are discovering that the best camera you can use is often simply the one you have with you, and more and more that turns out to be the camera in your smartphone. For me, it's the iPhone, and, if for nothing else, I love it for its camera capability. Since 2008 I've been capturing spur-of-the-moment shots that I would probably never have captured with a separate "camera only". I even maintain a separate archive of photos taken with the phone. Of course, I'm still taking a lot of photos with my primary camera, the Lumix GF1, and most frequently, those photos turn out to be the ones taken on a "photography outing."  Now, having said all that, let's get to the point. There is a certain sort of person who says to me ... "You're just a 'clicker nut' taking all those photos and what are you ever going to do with them? Will you ever look at them?" [Sound familiar?] I can tell you for sure, it is fun to go back and look at the old pictures. And we are not talking family photos here, but just the scenes of ordinary life that are memorable for one reason or another. Here, below, are some shots taken with the iPhone in 2008. Be sure to click on the photos for a larger view. Hope you enjoy and thanks, as always, for stopping by John's Island.

 Riding the streetcar ...

Impressed by a Coast Guard vessel ...

And then, one job I don't want : - ) ....

 Waiting for a ship to come in ...

 Capturing a rainbow ...

The quiet of a restaurant just opened and before the crowds arrive ... 

Waterfront on a pretty day ...

Being political without expressing politics ...

Ahhh, a clean car ...

 A path through the leaves ...

Good to know they are nearby ...

Fall in the city ...

Just to prove we really do have blue skies in Seattle ...

A small Montana town ...

Life's little delays ...

A great cup of coffee ...

Quick snaps in Yellowstone ...

Flowers on a walk ...

Seattle's Space Needle

In 2012 the Seattle landmark Space Needle is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. It was built for the 1962 World's Fair. Yes, we were there in 1962 and we returned yesterday, February 4, 2012, for the first of our visits in the Anniversary year. A quick trip to the O (bservation) Deck will set you back $19. Well, after all, you'll be going up 520 feet.

Although it does rain EVERY day in Seattle, there are rare moments when sky clears. We could look over Lake Union and see the Cascade Mountains in the distance.  [By the way, be sure to click on photos for a larger view.]  Yes, that is the Needle's shadow at the bottom of the photo below.  We have heard that if you can see the Needle's shadow on February 4, winter is over. We'll see about that. Incidentally, the large buildings at the center bottom of the photo are the new home of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

To the west of the city we have the Olympic Mountains on (yes) the Olympic Peninsula. The mountains are in a range of approximately 40 to 60 miles from downtown Seattle. The body of water is Puget Sound.

In the scene below we see Puget Sound in the sunshine. Yes, rare indeed!

Lastly, a view of the city with Mt. Rainier in the background.

As always, thank you for stopping by John's Island. A special hello to our followers -- hope you are all well and having a good winter.

Fire at Sunset

Seattle, Washington

January 13, 2012

The perfect combination:  A nice layer of clouds and a clearing near the horizon for the setting sun.  This view is looking slightly southwest from near the heart of the city.

Thanks for stopping by John's Island.

Colorful Start to 2012

January 2, 2012

Seattle, Washington, USA

Rose Bowl Special

From our collection of Railroad Memorabilia ...

On this day 71 years ago, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team had completed their 1940 regular season with an 8 - 1 record and they were headed to their very first bowl appearance in the granddaddy of them all ... the Rose Bowl. The Athletic Department of the University of Nebraska arranged travel for the team from Lincoln to Los Angeles on special trains. Here we have the dinner menu prepared by the Burlington Railroad for the special occasion. Be sure to click on the pictures for a full size view, easier to read and catch the details.

Did you notice that for the Burlington Select Dinner the "Price Opposite Entree Is Cost of Complete Meal". How about a Grilled Dinner Steak and all the trimmings for $1.50?

Of course, a la Carte was also available ...

The back cover has some nice info on the Burlington Route trains.

Thanks for stopping by John's Island.

A Delicious Northern Pacific Breakfast

From our collection of Railroad Memorabilia ....

A postcard issued by the Northern Pacific Railroad in April, 1936. They were probably handed out in the dining car and patrons were encouraged to "Mail to a friend at home".  Chilled cantaloupe, "N.P. Little Pig" sausages, hot griddle cakes, maple syrup, and a pot of coffee ... all for 75 cents. Now THAT was back when a dollar was a dollar!  If we can believe the code printed on the card, five thousand were printed in April, 1936. Wonder how many are still out there?

Thanks for stopping by John's Island.

Winter Begins

Here, at last ... Winter! Last night we observed the winter solstice and so today is the first full day of winter. Here at the Island we always welcome the cool freshness of winter. For those who are less enthusiastic about this season the good news is that the days are now getting longer and we are on our way back to summer delights. In the meantime, we would like to wish all our followers and visitors a fine holiday season!

Thanks for stopping by John's Island!