Mt Rainier

Don't forget... left click on the pic for an enlargment, then hit Esc to return to the blog... or just advance through the pics without having to suffer through the words....

So.... if you've followed this blog starting in Maine about 3 years ago, you'll know that I had several part time jobs... remember? ... Watching the tide to make sure it goes in and out as forecasted?  Also had those same part time jobs in Garibaldi, OR.  Well, I had to pass the part time work to our friends next door Ralph and Shelly.  I understand Shelly has been doing an excellent job keeping up with the comings and goings.

But now, many miles from the coast in Graham, WA,  I thought I might start getting bored with no part time work until it dawned on me... SOMEBODY had to watch to make sure Mt. Rainier would appear each time the clouds lifted.  And so my new part time job was born.

Here's where my work started.  Luckily I get this view from inside our trailer so no excuses, rain or shine the job goes on.   Can you see the summit? It's horizontally centered in the picture, slightly high from vertical center. You can't imagine how many times I thought I could see the dang mountain staring out at this gray on gray.

I took a quick break and when I resumed my stare... there she was.

And with 250mm zoom

It was hazy all day so we'll be getting better (I hope) pictures later in the week.  But I did want to capture the first few glimpses.

Stop the presses folks!  Just to show you this new job of mine is not "9 to 5" with an hour and a half lunch break, the following shot through the window was taken at about 8:30pm.  The RV Park is between the sun and Rainier... how something that was so destructive 5,000 years ago could be so beautiful now is just another of the mysteries and splendors surrounding the Universe or God - you pick which.  I prefer a combination of Both!  As it sits, the peak is at about 14,400 feet but back then, before the tea kettle started to whistle, and Rainier blew its top, it must have been up around 20,000 feet?

By the way.... NO tricks before the lens, or after the shot here.  THIS is exactly (?) what I saw out the window.  And just for the heck of it I also did a closer up that really didn't focus in very well due to low light levels - just as fishermen have a hundred excuses for not catching fish... photographers have just as many for crummy photos!

That's it for now......