Tree on

Dunno.

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

mushroom growing on a downed tree in my yard

TWL, alders, timber!

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The latest edition in the TWL work party series removed a number of alders growing on the Crawford property which, in full leaf, significantly shade the grapes on Day Road Farm – on the last farm walk I noticed while elsewhere on the farm the full sun had melted the morning frost this section of the farm still remained white late in the day.

I had never participated in the felling of trees so tall so I watched and learned, fortunately most of the volunteers have years of experience. I think the combination of tree-felling and bring-your-own-chainsaw greatly increased the usual attendance – we had enough volunteers for two separate teams of ropers, pullers and fellers.

Bloedel, trees, waiting.

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

We’ve been doing most of our walking lately in The Grand Forest and wanted a change of pace but still close to home. Fortunately, the Bloedel Reserve’s appointments are easy to come by in the winter on late notice so off to the Reserve went we.

First order of business accomplished, my daughter’s discovery of the perfect walking stick for each of us, we embarked.

mansion by the lake

The willow isn’t dripping in green as it does in the summer, but the orange reflecting in the water still draws the eye.

Snowdown, saws, show.

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

I haven’t been at the computer or behind the camera recently because I’ve spent the last two weekends clearing the mess left behind from the storm of the century – we had some serious snowdown.

I borrowed a chain saw from a friend yesterday but I’m so in love with my Bahco hand saw (and afraid of most gasoline-powered tools) I ended up felling and bucking the trees by hand – it’s more work but certainly more rewarding and carbon free. Some trees I pushed back to standing so if the ground dries out they stand a chance otherwise I’ll continue to add to the wood pile.

Melt, limbs, bombs away.

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

And the snow melts and the winter rains return. Compare the angle of the limbs of the big trees in this photo with the first photo in the previous post (or mouse-over this photo) – these trees can shoulder a heavy load, until of course they fail and try breaking one of my benches.

When we bought our house our realtor said the sellers wished to leave a number of benches if we agreed, to which we did, visions of Smith & Hawken beauty decorating our yard. What we found instead were a random assortment of benches in various stages of decay and, oddly, some 50’s diner chairs. We then did what any good landowners would do, we hid them in the woods and forgot about them.

Invasives, chipper, farm work.

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Throughout high school I worked for the city in the landscape crew fixing front lawns ruined by snow plows or sewer renovations. One of the primary, and more memorable, experiences from that job was walking the streets behind a chipper and loading all the residents’ brush through rotating drums ready to suck in your arm as easily as the maple branches ripping at your legs – it was stressful and exhausting.

Blue, green, red, yellow, pink.

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

We had some fantastic weather today and I had a couple hours in the afternoon with nothing to do so I strolled around the yard making photos.

blue skies and trees

Evidence of the blue skies in Seattle in November.

moss and stone

Moss and stone.

weigela and bug

I’m really enthralled with the weigela leaves as they turn. The pale green and yellow rimmed in red coupled with the wavy forms work for me. Hello little bug.

Fall, color, leaves.

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

My addition to fall color photography.

trees going up, up, up

The Grand Forest – we are the Evergreen State after all.

red

Blueberry.

red and blue

Maple.

lace leaf maple

Lace leaf maple.

bright red maple

Japanese maple.