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Tag Archives: Methow photography

Winter to Spring and back to Winter again

March is a month that cannot make up its mind. Of course, there is still lots of snow on the ground at the start but warm days soon begin to shrink it. We go outside and see what shows up after the long winter. Birds return. Spring skiing is grand. Yesterday it was fifty degrees! Farenheit.

Today it is snowing and the wind is blowing. Visibility is lacking. Bare ground is once again covered and I need to go out and shovel snow. I wonder how many times we will go through this cycle before April gets here?

Last week we had spring skiing at its finest!

A large flock of Bohemian Waxwings hawked insects over the Methow River

Today is a different story

Today is a good day to stay inside with a cup of tea and update my website 

Picture Perfect

Today was picture perfect weather for the last day of the hot air balloon get-together in the Methow Valley. Clear cold skies got the balloonists up early and fanning air into their enormous nylon envelopes. Parking lots were full and balloons popped up all over the outskirts of Winthrop. The air conditions must have been perfect as most of the balloons stayed up for a long time and passengers seemed to be enjoying themselves. Everywhere people were photographing the sights with all manner of cameras. The colorful balloons are a wonderful foil to the snow-covered landscapes we’ve had for months now. I think that’s why I enjoy this event so much.

Last night there was a ‘balloon glow’ in downtown Winthrop. The striped balloon is from our local balloon company, Morning Glory Balloon Tours.

Nice moon too.

Balloons in the morning mist

Filling a balloon is a time consuming practice

This balloon had a new pilot and they were trying to land the basket in the river and let the current take them downstream. It’s a delicate balance to keep the balloon inflated and upright and let the water move them along.

That just didn’t look good

Someone else got their balloon in the main channel of the river and set down easily

They had to lift the balloon over the log and still figure out how to get to the other side of the channel

Cameras everywhere

Nope, still not moving downstream

Hmmm, what are they looking at?

Well now they are moving again.

They got down the little riffle

What’s the next obstacle?

More trees to clear

Up, up and away they go!

 

Drones and a Bride and a Hot Air Balloon

Drones and a Bride and a Hot Air Balloon in Winthrop. What a combination!

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with the big balloons. There were some winds, not that we could detect on the ground, that kept most of the hot air balloons stored in their trailers. However, the couple from Oregon was here to get married in a balloon today and Captain Krystal was not going to let them down, so to speak. Keeping the balloon tethered in a church parking lot, the ceremony went on, complete with flying drones doing the wedding photography! The bride was radiant in her long white coat and furry white hat. The groom was dignified in his black stocking hat and Carhart jacket.

Normally when I am doing wedding photography, I am getting paid for my work and it is very pressure-filled. You can see examples of that at Reflected Light. Today was fun to simply be taking snapshots of the happy occasion without worrying about disappointing clients.

The two drones were provided by the Roswell Test Flight Crew.

Here Comes the Bride!

 There were LOTS of cameras!

Thirty feet in the air with a drone hovering closeby, the two exchanged their vows.

I always love the wedding flowers – even fake ones.

The couple did their ‘formal’ portraits inside the balloon envelope!

 Gotta have a dog picture.

 The Radiant Bride!

Still Winter

But Spring is just around the corner. Skiing conditions are highly variable but when they are good, they are very, very good. We still get intermittant snowfall but also warm temperatures are lessening the snowpack in the valley. More animals are moving about. My neighbor even claims to have seen a chipmunk already! Seems to early for them to be out and about.

 

Making first tracks on the Community Trail near Browns Farm

 

Big Valley, seen from the Community Trail

 

Lots of squirrels are enjoying the warm afternoons. This one is perched just above its burrow in the snow.

 

The Methow River from the Suspension Bridge

 

Winter still has a pretty good grip up in the Rendezvous area.

 I know, it looks like I have been playing a lot; however I’ve also been doing some serious work. You can see that at Reflected Light.

 

 

 

The Doggie Dash – A Six Legged Race

Every winter the Methow Valley Nordic Club sponsors the always popular Doggie Dash in Winthrop near the Town Trailhead. It is one of the most fun events of the year for dog lovers and their friends. In addition to being a race, it’s also a costume contest. Many people put more effort into their costume design than the race itself in hopes of taking home the traveling trophy – a magnificent golden poodle! The race categories included kids, adults with big dogs, adults with little dogs and skijoring teams. Generous sponsors provide lots of doggie treats and prizes.

 

This puppy really has a ‘game face’

 

I’m always partial to doodles

 

 What can I say about this?

 

Luna is having second thoughts

 

And the race is on!

 

The little jockey is being followed by the super hero team from Mazama

 

 

It’s ok to fall and get up – you cannot let go of your dog though

 

And she’s off again

 

Normally mild mannered Kristen turned into a new woman when she donned the roller girl outfit!

 

 

At the starting line, Luna is still thinking……

 

Looks like Trip is also thinking about other stuff

 

There’s a good team

 

Trip – don’t look at the girls over there

 

This is just before Luna ran over to me and sat down.

 

One of the skijoring contestants

Just one big happy family

 

 

 

And the winnter of the coveted golden poodle!