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[Morty2264]

Beautiful photos!

Muir Woods

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[FF22]

Finally dragged my butt down to the beach and grabbed some shots at Discovery Park. Tried zooming in on the Great Blue Heron. Definitely looks just like any Summer July day in Seattle (g)

 

[B. Diddy]

Nice shots, as usual! I think I took a shot of a great blue heron recently in Sausalito as well:



Google Lens repeatedly identifies it as a great blue heron, but I don't see the plume on the head (unless it's just flat against the head, or unless this is an immature one).

 

[Morty2264]

Finally dragged my butt down to the beach and grabbed some shots at Discovery Park. Tried zooming in on the Great Blue Heron. Definitely looks just like any Summer July day in Seattle (g)

I LOVE these photos, and I LOVE Seattle!

 

[FF22]

Nice shots, as usual! I think I took a shot of a great blue heron recently in Sausalito as well:

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Google Lens repeatedly identifies it as a great blue heron, but I don't see the plume on the head (unless it's just flat against the head, or unless this is an immature one).

I'm not sure that they always have the visible plume - https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=gr.../images/a/w/b/ardea-goliath/ardea-goliath.jpg.

I once presided over a hearing about a heron rookery. I learned too much about them there birds. From white washed rocks and soil (below the nests) to their mating rituals. Aldo Leopold's daughter, UW faculty, testified at the hearing. Actually, fun but super intense.

 

[FF22]

I LOVE these photos, and I LOVE Seattle!

Seattle has its days! (g)

It is in a great location with lots of amenities. And, probably, if not for the GRAY, it would be much more crowded. Last month, it was 45 years here.

 

[Morty2264]

Seattle has its days! (g)

It is in a great location with lots of amenities. And, probably, if not for the GRAY, it would be much more crowded. Last month, it was 45 years here.

Wow, that's amazing! It is such a beautiful city. It does get a lot of rain but the city is still appealing to me!

 

[FF22]

Wow, that's amazing! It is such a beautiful city. It does get a lot of rain but the city is still appealing to me!

Actually, the problem with out rain is that it is generally not heavy. Rather it drizzles lots of the time making for some very long gray stretches. Like the pictures above, it was like that most of the day yesterday but I don't think it actually rained. Whereas two days prior it was a heavy mist that last for hours. It was just misting out there again and I'm suppose to do a 30 mile bike ride which my companions just delayed for half and hour to allow it to maybe dry a bit. We shall see. I'm usually a fair weather biker, hiker and walker. I will cross country ski what it is snowing. Oh, we rarely get snow down here but the mountains are only 45 miles or so east.

I can't remember - have you been to Seattle? Mid-July through Sept are usually really nice but you can't always count on that either.

 

[FF22]

To add to our weather discussion, from the TV weather station:

"The old saying goes around here: "Summer doesn't *really* begin until July 5th."

But maybe that needs to change. Despite being an apt punch line for a city with a rainy reputation that of course summer wouldn't begin until *after* the 4th of July holiday, there is some basis in the numbers: July 4th is statistically the wettest day of July and the number of times it has rained in the summer months after July 4th drop significantly, starting on the 5th."

Can't tell you how many longer backpacks or other July 4th events have been WET, WET, VERY WET.

 

[Morty2264]

Actually, the problem with out rain is that it is generally not heavy. Rather it drizzles lots of the time making for some very long gray stretches. Like the pictures above, it was like that most of the day yesterday but I don't think it actually rained. Whereas two days prior it was a heavy mist that last for hours. It was just misting out there again and I'm suppose to do a 30 mile bike ride which my companions just delayed for half and hour to allow it to maybe dry a bit. We shall see. I'm usually a fair weather biker, hiker and walker. I will cross country ski what it is snowing. Oh, we rarely get snow down here but the mountains are only 45 miles or so east.

I can't remember - have you been to Seattle? Mid-July through Sept are usually really nice but you can't always count on that either.

It still sounds lovely - mist and all! I do like gray clouds too! And not having a lot of snow there - well, I'm on board with that, too! And being so "close" to the mountains would be breathtaking!

Nope, I haven't been to Seattle yet! One day, hopefully!

 

[FF22]

A few more Discovery Park images - "weather" or not the sunshines.

Yesterday with a bit of brightness toward the south:


Today with more cloud cover:

 

[FF22]

On the drive home from today's Discovery Park walk, the Ballard Bridge opened.

 

[B. Diddy]

Castello di Amorosa, a winery in Calistoga, CA

 

[FF22]

Castello di Amorosa, a winery in Calistoga, CA

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Quite the place. How does one taste wine with a mask? (g)

OLD? Or just made to look old?

Answered my own question:

"The Dream

“In my mind, everything had to be authentic, or it wouldn’t be worth the effort. Faking it in any way might be all right for others, but I would know the difference, making it a failed attempt to explore my passion for medieval architecture. You simply can’t build an ‘old structure’ using modern techniques and tools. It would look fake, and everyone would realize it’s an imitation. Rather, we were going to build the structure – within the limits of the current building code – using the same techniques medieval builders had relied on eight hundred years ago.”

– Dario Sattui"

 

[FF22]

Well, a month or so ago, due to the pandemic, a tuna boat which generally sells its sushi grade tuna to local restaurants had no demand. So they opened it up to the general public. $3.00 per pound for whole tuna. Frozen very solid. I finally got the stainless steel blades and saw and today tackled (no fishing pun intended) part of the job. I only got through about 2/3 and was beat! And what a complete mess. Kitchen may never recover. I foolishly purchased TWO. So lots more work.

(I corrected the orientation)

 

[B. Diddy]

How does one taste wine with a mask? (g)

They had everything set up so that tasting parties were a good distance apart, the attendants were always masked, and there was a essentially a giant sneeze guard between them and us.

The guy behind the castle quite clearly has more money than he knows what to do with, but at least he made something that's great for photos!

 

[B. Diddy]

Well, a month or so ago, due to the pandemic, a tuna boat which generally sells its sushi grade tuna to local restaurants had no demand. So they opened it up to the general public. $3.00 per pound for whole tuna. Frozen very solid. I finally got the stainless steel blades and saw and today tackled (no fishing pun intended) part of the job. I only got through about 2/3 and was beat! And what a complete mess. Kitchen may never recover. I foolishly purchased TWO. So lots more work.

Whoa, that's very industrious of you! Now you can set up a sushi stand on your driveway instead of a lemonade stand. I'd buy some!

 

[FF22]

They had everything set up so that tasting parties were a good distance apart, the attendants were always masked, and there was a essentially a giant sneeze guard between them and us.

The guy behind the castle quite clearly has more money than he knows what to do with, but at least he made something that's great for photos!

I don't think I'm ready for that type of experience yet. Although, getting to see The Castle would be quite something.

Yes, as I read more I did wonder about his financial background. It had to cost millions - the property alone must have cost that. Thanks for sharing. If I venture on a road trip I might just have to see it. How long in advance do you need reservations.

 

[FF22]

Whoa, that's very industrious of you! Now you can set up a sushi stand on your driveway instead of a lemonade stand. I'd buy some!

Now there's an idea. At the sale, there were quite a few people who purchased 10 or 12 tuna. They mentioned sushi and more so, poke. I guess I could try making some poke. I like sushi but also really like seared tuna, crusty on the outside and raw inside.

 

[B. Diddy]

How long in advance do you need reservations.

We had to reserve about a couple of weeks in advance. It's a nice outing, even if you're not really a wine connoisseur.

I guess I could try making some poke. I like sushi but also really like seared tuna, crusty on the outside and raw inside.

Dangit, you're making me hungry!