Quilly Unshuttered

Life Through My Lens

256 Strawflowers

| August 10, 2009

Strawflowers.  Photo taken at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, Anacortes, WA. Strawflowers — also called Everlastings — should be picked and hung to dry before their gorgeous yellow centers are revealed.  The flowers in this photo are past their prime.  When preserving an Everlasting, the stems should be removed and replaced with wire stems. Charlene L. […]

#255 Evergreen in Blue

| August 9, 2009

Douglas Fur tree on Cantilever Point, Friday Harbor, WA. San Juan Islands. That gorgeous blue you see beyond the tree is ocean and mist.  This was an early morning shot on a semi-cloudy day.  I love the surreal pattern the waves left behind and the many shades of blue in the background.

#254 Lavender Forever

| August 8, 2009

Photo taken at the San Juan Winery, Friday Harbor, WA. San Juan Islands. The gardens at the San Juan Winery are a gorgeous riot of texture and color.  Did you know that Lavender is a member of the mint family? I was very surprised to learn that! As I looked at the Lavender, I knoew […]

#253 Gumweed

| August 7, 2009

Gumweed on Cantilever Point, Friday Harbor, WA. San Juan Islands. This tall yellow flower grows in abundance all over Western Washington.  As you can see, the Spittlebugs love them!  The “spit” you see here is actually a protective nest for the Spittlebug nymphs.  Spittlebugs mostly feed on grass but they will also eat some bushes […]

#251 Salmonberry

| August 5, 2009

Unripened Salmon Berry. Friday Harbor Labs, San Juan Island, Washington State. Rubus spectabilis are native to the west coast of the United States from Alaska to California. They look much like a raspberry, but are less robust in flavor. They are good eaten raw and can be preserved, but taste best when mixed with another […]

#250 Wild Rose

| August 5, 2009

Wild Rose on Cantilever Point, Friday Harbor, WA. San Juan Islands. Wild roses grow in Asia, Europe and North America.   It is a deciduous shrub and grows up to 4 feet tall.  The fruit of the wild rose — rose hips — can be harvested for jams, jellies teas and even wine.  Rose hip soup, […]

#249 — Textures

| August 2, 2009

Sign Post & Wild Grasses. Lime Kiln Park, San Juan Island, Washington State. This weathered post secured to a chunk of rusting metal is surrounded by what I believe is wild rye grass.  The different textures, colors, and the patterns of sun and shadow called to me. photographer: Charlene L. Amsden

#248 Hard-n-Soft

| August 1, 2009

Hard n Soft, 2009 Rocks & Feathers. Fourth of July Beach, San Juan Island, Washington State. If you’re looking for a sandy beach, don’t look around the shore line of San Juan Island.   The trees sweep down to the sea and the beaches are mostly rocks and driftwood, though patches of sand can be found.  […]

#247 Surf’s Up

| July 26, 2009

Wind, surf and sea off Waikiki. Queen Kapiolani Park, Honolulu, HI. Waikiki — what vacationer doesn’t dream of surfing there?  On this particular day the waves were up, the wind was high and the sun was shining.  I sat on the seawall in Queen Kapiolani Park with my 200 mm lens and shot surfing scenes […]

#246 — Lamb's Tail

| July 16, 2009

Lamb’s Tail, taken at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, Anacortes, WA. The delicate, feather like fronds of this beauty caught my eye.  I snapped the photograph not knowing what it was, but luckily I live with a card carrying botanist and — though he didn’t know what it was, either — he knew where to go […]