Stuff on My Desk

This is an old lens that my Uncle Don used. I haven't used it, but it is pretty cool to look at.

Building Blocks

I'm experimenting with an effect in Photoshop that over-saturates around the edges of the photo. I like it, but it needs a bit more tweaking.

Carving Pumpkins

The night before Halloween!

Tom, Bikes & White River High School

We had a great day shooting bikes at the high school today. My buddy Tom Owen brought his strobes, softboxes and expertise, I pulled in Mike Kent and his Harley, Waylon Owens and his choppers, and we put some heat to cameras and transistors.
As Tom was my teacher in photography over my years at Morning Sun, it was great to have him help my students too! Mike brought in an incredible Harley, and Waylon blew everyone away with his custom choppers - serious works of art!
-Adam

Tae Kwon Do Belt Test

The boys had their Tae Kwon Do belt test today, M from Orange to Green, and B from Yellow to Orange. B was super nervous, but settled down and did a great job, M was just business as usual.

Pumpkin Patch!

These are from Spooner Pumpkin Patch in Orting.

Husky Fan

We went to the Husky football came the other day, it was cool to see Marcus as a Husky fan! It was great to be on campus again too. We all went with Butch and Kathy.

Jet City Espresso

This is part flea market, part espresso stand...a unique flaver in the blandness of Starbucksland.

Tulips

I like the delicate detail of this.

The Chalet Theatre in Enumclaw

Enumclaw Regional Hospital had a ground breaking celebration that included a bunch of free community events, one of which was a free movie at my favorite theatre - the Chalet.

Grand Columbian Triathlon Relay

Karen swam a great leg of her 1/2 iron relay, their team finished 2nd!

Nature Break from Bike Racing Photos

This tree and landscape caught my eye as I was dragging the boys across the Super D course on Sunday.

Super D at Capitol Forest

FOCF Super D race.

Mr. Sucher, of the Star Wars Store

That is a duplication of Carrie Fisher's real autograph, and this shows Mr. Sucher's dedication to his Star Wars Store. He said that this was the only Star Wars memorabilia that he was not selling! People bring in there on things, he buys them, then puts them on the shelf to resell. The place was packed with kids and dads when we were there. The pictures I've posted here don't do it justice...it's a must see.
-Adam

Sucher and Sons Star Wars Store

This store in Aberdeen, WA is incredible to see. If you were a kid for the first round of Star Wars movies, and you have kids now that are into the movies, this is like going to Disneyland, but better. It's hard to believe the volume of stuff here, and it's all crammed into something that looks like your grandmothers' spare bedroom. You really have to see this.

Sand Dollars at Westport

M and I got up early and hit the beach. We found 15 sand dollars!

Westport at the Beach

We had a great time visiting relatives and playing at the beach.

Hiking to the Creepy Cave

On a trail less traveled from the Carbon River entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park, we found a really creepy old cave that was boarded up, but not so tight that we couldn't peek around!

Tae Kwon Do Sparring

In-house tournament sparring, M's first time - a win!

Poomse

Bowing to the judges of the Poomse competition at the in-house tournament.

Swimming Lessons

The boys finished their last swimming lessons for the Summer at Lake Jane Pool.

Flowers in the Woods

On the trail to Spray Park.

Spray Park

A few pics from Spray Park, hiked in from Mowich.

Mowich Lake

Mowich was pretty majestic on the morning of our hike.

Hike to Spray Park

The hike was pretty long for the boys to Spray Park and back, but we made it and it was great to see the sights along the way.

Seniors and little Sis

Point Defiance Park is always a great place for portraits!

Kids Racing Mountain Bikes

A few of the kids racing at Ragnarok's White River Revival, near Greenwater, WA.

Greenwater Mountain Bike Race

I spent yesterday photographing the Indie Series Mountain Bike race in Greenwater. It was the final in the series. I rode as well...my lack of fitness showed.

Auburn Fun Run

Karen was second at the Auburn Fun Run this year, pretty good for a Mom who is almost 40!

South Prairie to Orting

Trail Workers

This is a group of student volunteer workers doing some trail work on the Pacific Crest Trail between Chinook Pass and White Pass, in Washington. They were out with a Forest Ranger and were building a bridge over some sloppy mud. I've always wanted to do some trail work like this, a big part of me wanted to spend the day there.

Dad on the Trail

On the last day, Dad and I spent a little more time taking in the sites, so we found ourselves off the back a bit. It was o.k. though, it was a short day to the cars at White Pass.

Pacific Crest Trail

We hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from Chinook Pass to White Pass over the weekend. Three days and about 27 miles.

Ranger Falls

This is Ranger Falls, en route to Green Lake from the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Forest. I'll be back at this location with a tri-pod and earlier in the morning sometime next week. This is at 1/4 of second, hand-held against a mossy rock! Not bad. (There are 20 others that are blurry!) I checked out the Ipsut campground, almost got to Chenuis Falls and then went exploring on the Green Lake trail. I rode my bike from trail to trail, about 10 miles of biking and 2.5 running.

M on the TKD Offensive

I don't think you get any points for kicking your opponents butt in Tae Kwon Do, but there has to be some intimidation factor there!

Mountain Biking with the Boy

More pics from our break when mountain biking at the State Patrol Trails in Kennewick.

Mountain Biking

This was his first real mountain bike ride. We rode about 50 minutes on a great trail in Kennewick. Here we where taking a break toward the end. He's got great balance on the bike and was really gritting it out on the uphills! I was very proud. It has worked out really well for him to ride his Mom's bike, it's very nice and makes things a bit easier. The bike is pretty big for him, but as he gets bigger the bike will just get better and better for him!

Columbia Cup Hydroplane Race

Karen and I, and the boys went to the hydro races in the Tri-Cities this year. I haven't been in years, but I was the biggest fan growing up. It was great to remind myself of the boat racing culture and see the monster roostertails. The boys were impressed too. Dave Williams, driver of the U-48 Miss Lakeridge Paving, was really nice, took time out of a busy day, in which he was qualifying and racing, to sign autographs for my boys and take this picture. He did a lot to make my boys fans, and I really appreciated him taking a minute to connect with us. Thanks Dave, you are one of the good ones!
-Adam

Waterfall on the Way to Green Lake

Carbon River area.

Breakin' Boards Camping

The boys broke some boards at Squaw Rock Campground over the weekend. We built a really great rock dam on the creek next to the river also.

Blue Jays

I think this is a blue jay. He really liked peanuts from our campsite!

Third Degree Burn at the Pit

Tim's band at the Pit in Auburn, it was a fun night and they got hired back for next year.

White River Tennis Camp

Drills at tennis camp.

Lake Padden Indie Series Race

This was my favorite from the set at the Bellingham race.

Indie Series, Bellingham

More from Lake Padden's Indie Series race.

Padden Pedal 2008

This was one of my favorite shots from my set in Bellingham over the weekend. The Padden Pedal course was the same as last year and left me wanting to ride it myself.

Carbon River Entrance to Ipsut

We rode and walked for a really long time and never made it to the Green Lake trail. maybe we'll make it next time!

Mt. Peak

We hit Mt. Peak with the Gid today. It was a great trip, nice hot day, the boys got a workout.

Swallows Fly Free

Yesterday morning the first of the chicks took off for their first flight and by the end of the day they were all flying around like crazy. My best count is 6 chicks. They took off in flight like it was what they were born to do, they would fly around the yard, zipping and swooping, you could tell they were lovin' life and pretty proud of themselves...then they would try to land...they were not born to do that! It was like a blooper real of bird crash landings. They crashed into the birdhouses, fell behind the birdhouses, missed the eve of the house, got stuck behind the hose rack, it was all pretty funny to watch. The parents were very protective yesterday, I was sitting in one of my normal spots and one the parents landed on my shoulder and fluttered like mad, no pecking or scratching but it was definitely making a statement. This morning the birds were too scattered to get good pictures of them together. The chicks still seem to be dependent of the parents for food. They appear to follow the parents around trying to get bugs from them. They seem to be pretty aggressive in this action. They are all pretty active around the house, I wonder how long until they start leaving?

Point Defiance Zoo

The Point Defiance Zoo was pretty spectacular today, the animals were out and lively. Here are a few of the best pictures from the day.

Violet-Green Swallows Feeding

The chicks are putting their heads out now as their parents swoop in and swoop out. I've been observing these Violet-Green Swallows for quite a while now. They seem to have to chase off other Swallows pretty often. One of the parent is on look-out much of the time too. Maybe he's resting! They are a very hard working couple though. They swoop in and out, non-stop all day long. One chick seems to capitalize on the opening to the house, I don't really see the one ever move!

Swarming Bee's

Evidently, bee's swarm when looking for a new home, make a few attempts at a new home before finding something that is suitable. They swarmed in my backyard today and are attempting to make a home in my oak tree! A beekeeper that I called said they are peaceful and will move on in a day or two. I hope so. The picture shows the mass of bee's. The branch on the tree is about an inch in diameter. It is something to see!
-Adam

Fireworks

Tae Kwon Do at Enumclaw Parade

The boys were excited to be in the parade. All the kids got a chance to break a board en route. Board-breaking was a real crowd pleaser!