Category Archives: Photography

Sky Sensuality

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I woke up to this sexysexy tropical sky. Even if none of these heavenly clouds brought any rain, only extremely high humidity, aren’t they breathtaking?

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

As beautiful as this scene is, it only slightly mitigated my revulsion when I walked into the kitchen and saw a MILLION ants. I’m not exaggerating. Well, maybe I am, but only slightly.

I had hoped that the scouts found in the bathroom had been successfully “dealt” with, but I guess a message was still able to reach the collective.

They decided to retaliate in a big way and war was imminent. It seems as if they gathered their forces and decided to descend on my kitchen counters and sink during the night. I awoke to large-scale hostility. I had to take immediate action, and can only hope this is the end of it.

I will update as soon as I have any new information. I’m hoping for a complete cessation of this armed conflict as soon as an agreement has been reached.

In he meantime, I’m looking up to the sky for peace and serenity.

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

#WordlessWednesday

Fly Away Home

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“If you become a bird and fly away from me, I will be a tree that you come home to.”
Margaret Wise Brown

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

Margaret Wise Brown wrote at least a hundred books, including The Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon.

Our oppressive heat seems to have abated a bit and there’s the slightest chance we might see rain from Tropical Storm Marie, but I’m not overly optimistic. It would be awesome, though.

Lunar Eclipse Photo Journey

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I was lucky enough to capture the swift travels of the full moon’a partial eclipse.

I used to think it was the moon that flew across the sky but I learned the rapid journey of the moon is an optical illusion caused by the Earth spinning on its axis, rather than the moon zooming through space. As Earth rotates, it makes the moon look like its traveling westward at a rate of about 15 degrees per hour but that’s really not the case. Like so many other things in life, it’s not what it seems.

That was enough education for one day — it makes my brain hurt — although I’m sure most people already learned that even if I didn’t. I can only assume it was yet another topic on yet another day I didn’t pay attention in school.

I love every phase of the moon and its significance. A partial lunar eclipse symbolizes a powerful period of emotional illumination and a transitional turning point where the subconscious shadow meets conscious awareness. As above, so below.

The moon and
her shadow side
Reveals exactly what we hide

Here’s the first pic with a bit of spooky cloud cover…

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

The eclipse’s progression…

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

Almost fully eclipsed, right around 9pm…

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

It’s still oppressively hot and humid here, but that’s supposed to change in the next couple of days, fingers crossed!

Were you able to experience this amazing partial lunar eclipse?

Crescent Beach Camping

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I ended up having a relapse of whatever upper respiratory infection I originally had, and doc prescribed different antibiotics so I wouldn’t end up with pneumonia.

This gave me time to go through old photos and share an awesome camping adventure we went on a few years ago to Crescent Beach in Washington. Near Port Angeles, it’s an amazing sandy, private beach with spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island.

It’s fun to take the ferry there and back, such a treat, and not long enough to get seasick, which is a plus!

We camped right across the street from the beach, and there were decent waves for a little surfing, too. The weather was amazing, no one else was there, and the only negative were the mosquitos at night but the magical sunsets made it all worthwhile.

Fun facts:

  • Salt Creek flows onto the beach and can be tricky to cross earlier in the year when water levels are higher and the tide is in.
  • Marine Life Sanctuary: Salt Creek’s shoreline is a designated marine sanctuary, so respect the ecosystems you encounter and leave no trace.

Deer in Port Angeles:

Random wood structures:

Deer at campsite!

I love this view:

And this view:

Spectacular sunset from my tent!

View of Seattle from the return ferry:

California Poppy Parade

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There is nothing that seems more alive than a summery blooming California Poppy, the state flower of California. It’s the best orange EVER!

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are tough, low-maintenance wildflowers that thrive on neglect. They need at least six hours of direct sun daily, poor-to-average sandy soil that drains very well, and only occasional, sparing water once established. Avoid using any fertilizer, as rich soil or nutrients reduce flower production. It’s the perfect summer flower for a drought landscape!

July Moon Rising

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Last night as I was closing the windows, I looked out and up, and witnessed the rising of the moon.

I hadn’t used my real camera in a while, but I knew my phone would never be able to capture the details, so I snapped a few pics with my Canon and this was the best of the bunch…She’s a beauty!

July 2026 full moon
Photo by Enchanted Seashells

Yes, it was really that reddish-orange-gold color, probably from whatever wildfires are raging in the area, and those are the power lines near the lagoon.

Thank you, Mother Moon! Happily, I found a Leon Russell song to accompany a full moon…When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold:

I couldn’t locate a live performance, but it’s still Leon being Leon, Master of Space and TIme.

A Perfect Rose

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I’m not referring to myself, haha, not this time, anyway… but I’m so proud that I propagated this rose and cared for it so lovingly until it produced a first bloom!

I feel like I just gave birth to a beautiful rose baby.

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

Abandoned Urban Skateboard

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Photo by Enchanted Seashells

Near a local Asian grocery store, I parked my car next to an empty space that should have been filled with some sort of landscaping but it was resolutely devoid of all life.

The skateboard definitely belonged to no one. I thought the shadows and shapes and red wheels were interesting enough to snap a photo of it, like the skateboard was purposely planted there, but for what reason?

Where did it come from? Who left it there? Why was it abandoned? Is it some kind of sign? We can only speculate. Considering the location of the store which is in a sort of sketchy part of town, it’s not unlikely that someone was arrested for shoplifting and had to abandon his board as he was handcuffed and whisked away in the back of a patrol car. At least that’s the story I’m telling myself.

I edited a version in black and white. I can’t decide which one I like better…

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

I felt like I should call the uber cool guy from YouTube, Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t, and ask him to plant something in that dead zone. He’s really good about stuff like that.

Which photo do you like more, color or black and white?



Celebrate The Sky

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I didn’t find a whole lot to celebrate on the 4th of July — Independence Day seems to have lost its meaning for a lot of us in the-not-very United States, but I did snap a photo of the sky in all of her glory, and that seems more significant.

In the garden as the sun waned, it was still quiet, the idiots hadn’t yet begun to set off their illegal fireworks, and Mother Nature put on a spectacular show.

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

I think I finally see the light at the end of the long, dark shingles tunnel; I slept all night and woke up with less pain, so that’s my good news. I am definitely getting the vaccine as soon as it’s safe, after completely healing.

Daddy Day Lineup, International Surfing Day, and Summer Solstice

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Surf lineup, that is!

Twenty-four hours early, but Happy Bio/Step/Deadbeat Daddy Day, whichever one applies.

Today, June 20, is International Surfing Day. This global event brings together an estimated thirty-five million surfers and ocean enthusiasts worldwide. It celebrates surf culture while driving awareness for ocean conservation, and highlights the need to protect coastlines, reduce marine pollution, and keep beaches safe and accessible.

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

Along with International Surfing Day and Father’s Day, it’s pretty cool that June 21 is also the longest day. The Summer Solstice occurs at the moment the earth’s tilt toward from the sun is at a maximum. On this day, the sun appears at its highest elevation.

Spiritually, the summer solstice is a powerful energetic turning point that symbolizes illumination, abundance, and the triumph of light over darkness.

As the longest day of the year, it represents the peak of the sun’s life-giving energy, encouraging us to awaken our inner power, celebrate our growth, and nurture our spirits.

Happy Summer Solstice , International Surfing Day, (and Father’s Day)!