Happy Halloween everyone!

This evening after my wife and I got off work, we decided to head out and take some pictures. We hadn't been to the State Capitol in a while so off we went. As it was just about dusk we were trying to get in as many photos as we could before it turned completely dark. I'll probably share a couple of other photos in a few days. They had colored lights on the fountain which was beautiful. We took quite a few there, then moved on to the Legislative Building. The lighted dome at night really is impressive. While we were there we noticed some people with children in costume so we decided to check it out. They were heading to the Governor's Mansion to Trick or Treat. My wife said "Well, we don't have any kids with us but let's go see what's going on anyway". I didn't think the people in line would appreciate us walking right past them but my wife taunted and double dog dared me to go for it. I couldn't help it, I folded. We headed up the driveway past the hundred or so parents and kids that were in line. When we got up to the front of the mansion this is what we saw. Governor Christine Gregoire and her husband, the First Gentleman Mike Gregoire were dressed up in Toy Story costumes handing out candy to the kids and having their picture taken about every thirty seconds or so. It looked like everyone including them was having a pretty good time. Again, since our kids were with grandma, not with us tonight, we didn't have to stick around long, just enough to snap a couple of photos then on our way we went.

From our recent trip north to the Seymour Conservatory in Tacoma, I give you Orchidaceae Colmanara Wildcat "Bobcat" as my contribution to this week's Floral Friday. I really liked the way the light made the colors so vivid.

For more wonderful Floral Friday shots click the link below.

The mornings are a little darker, a little cooler each day it seems. By the time we get off work, stop off at the grocery store, then make it home this is about the only light there is. I can't wait for the weekends this time of year. Then we can actually get out and do something in the daylight.

Future Farmer of America? Nope. Future wife? You got it! Seeing as it's time for Remember Whensday again, my wife Krise was kind enough to dig out one of the old family albums and bare her cute little grin for all the world to see. As you can see in the lower left corner this photo was taken in April of 1981. She was four years old and hard at work on her grandma's John Deere plowing the garden with her trusty helper Mickey. The thing that really gave her the qualifications for the job was the Mack Truck hat. That sealed the deal.

For more Remember Whensday memories click the link below.

As I mentioned, this past Saturday after work I headed to Capitol Lake to photograph the beautiful fall colors. While I was there I was fortunate enough to catch this guy chillin' on a log, as well as a variety of colorful foliage. Down at the other end of the lake however, there was a miracle a happenin'. A seagull that walks on water. Of course as soon as he saw me he just stood there as if nothing was going on. Show off!

It appears that someone, while preparing their yard for the upcoming holiday, wasn't quite careful enough and ended up getting "a head" of themselves.

See the world of Monochrome Maniacs by clicking the link below.

Staghorn Sumac at Capitol Lake. Taken about twenty feet from where I took yesterday's photo. I hope everyone had a great weekend.

For more Scenic Sunday shots click the link below.

Seeing as the weather cooperated today I decided to go out after work and photograph some of the wonderful fall colors down at Capitol Lake. As things worked out you're going to have to wait until tomorrow to see those. This Great Blue Heron convinced me that he needed to be front and center on today's post. This is the boss of Capitol Lake. You might remember I posted a night shot of him not too long ago. I don't think anything spooks this guy. I could just about walk right up without him even moving a muscle. The only thing he did was turn his eye my way.

I thought this photo would express how we feel around here lately. We had such a wonderful warm summer that lasted longer than usual. Then when the weather turned, it turned all at once. Wind, rain, gray skies all day long. It seems like we ticked off Mother Nature. As I was leaving work this evening and heading to my car I spotted this. Blue skies on one side, dark clouds on the other. I don't know how much good the barbed wire is going to do to stop those clouds from rolling on in, but I did think this would qualify for my SkyWatch Friday shot.

Click the link below to check out SkyWatch Friday photos from around the world.

Okay, I'm going to take another chance here and post an old photo of myself again. This one must be from about 1968 or 1969. I would have been eleven or twelve at the time and posing here with our English Bulldog Meg. She was such a wonderful friendly playful dog. She loved to go for rides in my old chevy, and I don't think she missed one of my baseball or soccer games. Judging by the ultra sharp clothes I was wearing here I would say I was either on my way to church or some special event. Okay, feel free to print a copy for your dartboard now.

This blast from the past is my contribution to "Remember Whensday."

For more Remember Whensday photos click on the link below.