Shadows of My World

JBLM Headquarters

On 1 February 2010 Fort Lewis and McChord AFB combined under a Base Re-Alignment and Closure

(BRAC 2005) action designed to streamline military operations costs and processes. It is a process that I have been involved with significantly over the last 14 months. On this date we saw the fruition of all of our countless hours of work when we cased the colors of the US Army Garrison Fort Lewis, and uncased the colors of US Army Garrison Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Just inside the double doors of this building is a display denoting the history of this building. It was formerly the post headquarters and later a Division HQ and beginning in the 1970s the ROTC Western Region HQ. The display includes a picture just like this of the building in 1954. As of 1 February 2010 it once again is the Garrison HQ of the new Joint Base. As a Lieutenant Colonel, Dwight D. Eisenhour occupied the office behind the bottom left window in the picture.

I used rephotographic techniques to try to recreate the image on display. For more information on the process of rephotography, see the Third View website at http://www.thirdview.org/3v/home/index.html.

It was great being a part of the history of this installation. I have spent 12 years here. That is more than 1/8th of the time this post has been in existence. I will truly miss it after retirement.

The Washington Capitol

On a recent trip to Olympia, Wa, I had occasion to drive through the Capitol Mall. I was very impressed with the number of monuments dedicated to the military and the sacrifices of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines for this country. This is the approach to the Capitol Rotunda that you see in the center. It was damaged in the 2001 6.8 earthquake whose epicenter is just nine miles north of this point. To the left, the obelisk is a monument to all Congressional Medal of Honor awardees. The sculpture to the right front is to all sevicemembers who have served this country in WWI. In between where the ladies are standing is the POW/MIA Memorial. A left face from here would face the Washington State Vietnam Memorial. A walk through these grounds carries a significance and somber reminder that freedom is not free. From those who died or dedicated their lives to open up this territory to those who died in service to this nation in Iraq and Afghanistan, There is a price to be paid for all that we enjoy.

Space Needle Sunset

In the March 2005 I took a photography course during the evenings in Seattle. I had to leave with enough advance time to allow for traffic. On this day, the traffic was light and I arrived near the classroom facility early enough to catch some of the sunset. Since I had some time, I drove back up Queen Anne Hill to find a vantage point from which to capture the Space Needle in the sunset. I found a parking lot, but the only way to see the visa I wanted was through an 8 foot chain-link fence. I used the hole in the fence to rest the front of the lens and took this shot. I caught it just in time. I finished up and went to class with a few minutes to spare.

Crooked Sky

In stark contrast to the tranquil blacks and whites of the lake below, the mountain above was rugged beauty against a blue sky. If you could look around, all of the skyline was similar to this. The stream that flowed through the snow alternated between swollen blue glacial melt rapids and pools of incredibly still dark, deep waters running through glacier-carved troughs.

The Mirror

The drive to Leavenworth Bavarian Village in Washington is beautful and scenic. Just five miles from Leavenworth on Hwy 2 is this lake. With it 25 degrees and fresh snow on the ground, it was a study in black and white. There was no wind and the lake was glass smooth. As I walked up a bufflehead swam away making v-shaped wakes on the mirrored water.

The Cone

This is one of the sights I will miss when I retire. In Western Washington, from October until May, the skies are usually cloudy or overcast. As a result seeing Mt. Rainier is a rare sight. There are days where the clouds break late in the day coming across the Olympic Peninsula and the sunlight streaming through is deep orange. On these days, the result is an orange creamsickle colored peak. This is a sight few locations in the world have to offer.

Bounty

I missed the Tall Ships 2006 in Tacoma, WA because of training. When Tacoma was again awarded a stop on the Tall Ships 2008 tour, I heard about it early. I have always been a fan of the tall ships and masted sailing vessels. I wrote several research papers about their design, construction and function. I heard they were coming back and planned to be there for the Parade of Sail. This is the replica of Bounty. It has been in numerous movies and is a popular attraction on this tour. It was quite a thrill to see this ship and all of the others in the flotilla.

Port of Tacoma

This is not that high quality I am used to. It was a slide that I scanned from my collection. I took this image while I was home on Leave from Korea in 2004. Shanti worked in Brown's Point and I drove her to work. On the way home, I noticed that Mt. Rainier looked like it was floating. I pulled off and took this quickly as as the traffic streamed by.

Raindrops

After church, we go to Point Defiance Park north of Tacoma. We stopped to have a quick picnic lunch in the park when saw the raindrops beading on the leaves of these flowers. I liked the pattern and had to get the camera and capture it.

The Wind

Near the end of our drive through the wildlife preserve, this mustang came running by us. He galloped at a full clip to the end of the meadow and then turned and came back past us. I hope to find a wild herd at some point in the future and shoot for a day or two to preserve this marvelous sight.

Bison Family

This bison was just laying in the grass with the calf eating nearby. I really liked the soft fluffy grasses in front and the "Plains" feel of this image. This is a picture of a life that always teeters on the edge of disappearing. I want to visit Yellowstone to get more images of bison in the wild.

Bull Elk

Another fron the Olympic Game Farm. In December 1997 as I drove from North Carolina to Fort Lewis, WA., I saw a herd of elk along the side of the road in the fields of a long-abandoned farm. Periodically, while in training, I would see an elk in the distance. Here I was finally able to get close enough to capture this magnificent animal with a camera. I hope to make this trip again soon.

Sol Duc Falls

Our first family vacation in some time took us to the Olympic Peninsula and Sol Duc Falls. This was a gorgeous hike and the first time our son Jonathan walke on his own for any significant distance. I had seen this falls in other photographers' images, but it was my first opportunity to see them. They were unique and inspiring. In addition, we were blessed with a beautiful day to see them on.

Peacock

After taking a trip to the Oregon Coast, we went out to the Olympic Peninsula. The Olympic Game Farm is a popular stop and we made the stop. It was a reasonably clear day and I was able to take some shots at spots where I could roll down my window enough to get the lens through. I have often wanted to be in a location where I could shoot wildlife. This was a new experience for me.

Church Monument

I researched the history of this part of Washington considerably while researching Fort Lewis. Steilacoom was significant for many reasons, not the least of which was the first Protestant and Catholic churches in the Pacific Northwest. This monument sits on the site of the first Protestant church. The first catholic church is up the hill a few hundred yards and will be posted at a later date. I took this on my way to work one morning recently. I hope to submit it for next year's contest.

Fall Colors 2

While Jonathan and Shanti were eating lunch, I took the camera and grabbed this shot of leaves in the park. From here I could see the ferry to Vashon Island, boats sailing and a bald eagle soaring below us. On the hill above were a small herd of elk from the Point Defiance Zoo. It was a lovely day for early fall.

Beach Crow

After church, we usually get fast food and go to the park to eat and have a little quality family time. We ended up on Owens Beach taking family pictures and letting Jonathan play in the sand. He kept chasing the crows and seagulls up and down the beach. This one dodged and landed nearby. I was able to catch it before Jonathan did.

Fall Colors 1

Fall is a flash in the pan in Washington State. First, there are few deciduous trees and the ladscape in western Washington is dominated by towering evergreens. Second, when it comes time for leaves to change, the seasonal changes drive a change in weather. Soon after the leaves change, the rains come and with it high winds. I miss the brilliant colors of the hardwood forests of the North Carolina mountains. In my yard we have a variety of japanese maples. These chang color quickly and last.

Sunset Flight

The weather had been pretty bad and we had a break in the clouds and rain. I grabbed the camera and headed to Sunnyside Beach. I saw this flight of UH-60s and CH-47 flying down the sound. As they flew past the ferry, I saw the opportunity and made this shot. Moments later an Amtrak came through glowing red in the sunset.

Columbia Ground Squirrel

Sometime in 2002 I made a trip to Mount St. Helens. (You can see it in the top gray area of the picture. I stopped to take pictures at this rest area. As I parked, this squirrel ran out and stopped right beside me. I ignored him and when I did not give him any handouts, he dozed in the sun. I saw him before I drove away and had to capture this shot.