365 Project – 204: Montebretia – Port Angeles, WA (July 25, 2013)

365 Project – 203: Black-eyed susan – Port Angeles, WA (July 24, 2013)

365 Project – 202: Flirting bushtits – Port Angeles, WA (July 23, 2013)

No, I’m not being vulgar. These petite birds are called bushtits or PSALTRIPARUS MINIMUS. A flock of them flew into our yard, allowing me to freely observe and photograph them. I don’t quite know what this behavior means, when they rub their beaks against each other, like an eskimo kiss. If any of you birders out there know, please share!

365 Project – 201: Colorful Olympic Peninsula sunset – Port Angeles, WA (July 22, 2013)

365 Project – 199: Luncheon of the boating party ;) – Lake Crescent, Port Angeles, WA (July 18, 2013)

In 1880, Renoir had a more refined setting in mind when he painted Luncheon of the Boating Party but, in 2013 this is how girls lunch, after air-mattress kayaking on the lake, digging into their grub while reclining on their air mattresses! I love their style! LOL

365 Project – 198: Ripped! Lake Crescent – Port Angeles, WA (July 17, 2013)

Yes, the scenery is gorgeous at Lake Crescent but, I can’t get over how ripped my daughter’s abs are! Oh, to be a kid again…although, I don’t know if I ever sported a washboard stomach like this. Someday…HA!! Love these strong and adventurous girls! 🙂

365 Project – 197: Mt Olympus looming large from Hurricane Ridge – Port Angeles, WA (July 16, 2013)

Hiking at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park – Port Angeles, WA

365 Project – 189: Playing tour guide on the Olympic Peninsula (July 15, 2013) #portangeles #iphonography #picoftheday #hurricaneridge #rubybeach #lake crescent

I’ve had family in town and the weather has been fabulous to show off the Olympic Peninsula all week. Here are some shots from Lake Aldwell (with a glimpse of the “new” path of the Elwha River), Ruby Beach on the Pacific Ocean, getting Twilight goofy at the Forks Visitor Center, splashing at Lake Crescent, and enjoying the views of Mt Olympus and the Olympics from Hurricane Ridge. Living in Port Angeles is paradise on these gorgeous summer days! 🙂

365 Project – 253: Sepia Saturday – “Summer in September” (September 8, 2012)

Shutter Speed: 1/1250, Aperture: F/5.6, ISO: 400 – applied Lightroom Preset “B & W Creative – Sepia”

Shutter Speed: 1/1250, Aperture: F/5.6, ISO: 400 – Straight out of the camera (SOOC)

Straight out of the camera this shot was decent but, after applying a simple Lightroom Preset (B & W Creative – Sepia) I prefer the desaturated version because your eyes are drawn to the girls’ faces. In the color version I feel like the colors are a little distracting. Do you agree?

Yesterday got up to 81 degrees in Port Angeles and here are the girls having a sweet TGIF playdate after school. It’s “so pacific northwest” of our weather to get these gorgeous summer days AFTER school starts. If I had my way, our school year would go from October through June. Keep the kids in school through the “June gloom” and enjoy our September summer days at our favorite spots, without the tourist crowds, while EVERYONE ELSE goes back to school. Yeah, I’ll just wave my magic wand and make that happen. HA! Well, here’s to making it through a fabulous first week of school and enjoying summer in September! Have a great weekend everyone! 🙂

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

365 Project – 189: Summer’s here! Hiking to Hurricane Hill (July 7, 2012)

Shutter Speed: 1/50, Aperture: F/16, ISO: 100

Here’s Nora in paradise in our backyard: the Olympic National Park. Hiking to Hurricane Hill via the Nature Trail is a great family activity, but, heads up, there’s still SNOW on the trail! Only about ~1/4 mile of slushy snow as of yesterday, but it’s melting fast. It’s so beautiful up there with the majestic mountains carpeted with evergreen trees, and brimming with gentle wildlife and vibrant wildflowers.  Yes, I’m biased but, it’s a beautiful place for a nature-filled vacation for the whole family.  If you’re looking for a getaway to see wilderness that is accessible via car, Hurricane Ridge is a fabulous national park to visit.  Come on out and experience this sweet slice of paradise! 🙂

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

And, here are some marmot photos, which were post-processed a bit:

Port Angeles on Dwellable