Skagit Valley Tulips in late April 2009

My mother and I travelled north last week to view the tulips as we do every year.  The fields were beautiful this year and the weather was just perfect for photography.  I always take so many photos as each tulip I see becomes my new favorite.  Here are some of my favorites for this year.

What fun I have had this month. I had the idea to do a self photo with a mirror and played with it. Interesting. I am hooked on photography. What a fun hobby!!

SELF PORTRAIT

My friend Jane

Fancy Skateboarding

Two Versions of the Same Series

At the skate park

Sharon Eide, Professional Photographer

WHAT FUN!

Today I had the opportunity to photograph a professional photographer! What a fun experience. I volunteer once a week at a non profit organization named "BRIGADOON" They train service dogs for handicap impaired persons. Once a year Sharon Eide and Elizabeth Flynn of S & E Photo come to take pictures and I was invited to bring my Cocker Spaniel "Ruby" to be photographed. Sharon invited me to get out my camera and I didn't hesitate. I requested permission to take pictures of her taking pictures and she kindly gave permission. We were outside and it was mostly cloudy with occasional threat of rain. Each dog trainer had to work with their dog and stay close so it was hard to get a posed shot so these are very spontaneous and natural poses. What a fun and special day. Afterward we all went to lunch for a wonderful visit. Take a look at Sharon on the web at http://www.sandephoto.com/

Duncan 2.

Musicians at work

I asked several street musicians if I could photograph them for a portrait project. All willingly accepted and one (professional musician) asked if he could use some of my photos on his website. Since he "modeled and sang" for me, I told him I'd trade him a few photos if he gives me a photo credit on his site. Can you tell which one is the "professional?". These were taken in San Diego at the Ocean Beach Wednesday Street Market and Balboa Park.

Jane at 90

Spring in Issaquah

Did a little driving around after the rain this morning. I love spring! EVERYTHING is in bloom.

Duncan

6:35 am, Monday

I'm on the stationery bike, peddle peddle peddle, doing 110 RPM's at level 3

Duncan waltz's over, up's the level to 5, maybe 7

"let's see what you can do now"

faster faster faster ...

6:45 am, Monday

work out begins

pulling on the weight machine

up down up down up down on the steps

tossing the 10# weight ball while on the bosu

pulling on the weight machine

up down up down up down on the steps

now stretch crouching across the floor and back

bench pressing weights

faster faster faster

over to the weights for dead lift

tighten my core

reach down to the bar

deep breathe

pick up that sucker

breath out

135# dead lifted!!!

step away from the bar, drink lots of water

7:30am session over

Duncan is my trainer & nicely agreed to the foto session. I've worked with him for over a year now. We laugh a lot. My idea on some of the portraiture studies is to have the actual, followed by some artistic photoshop, ala Warhol as in the "green" Duncan study. what a great foto topic to stretch the ideas of all of us!

Behind the wheel

THE DUTCH CLEANERS IN LYNDEN WA

The DUTCH CLEANERS in Lynden, WA

Alley and Pearl both work there and are VERY special people. Over the three years I have been a client there I have come to know them well. They allowed me to take their pictures today. They work hard to take care of many. Thank you Pearl and Alley!