By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
There is nothing quite like getting out, or in this case thumbnailing through a few archives on the old hard drive.
Continue reading “A Few Pictures of Boats”Category: Environment
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
The restrictions enforced against Washingtonians are approaching absurdity. Somehow Washington State believes that fishing alone in the middle of Banks Lake will lead to worsening the COVID19 outbreak, so it banned recreational fishing. Yet going into a crowded big box store to panic-buy toilet paper and bags of flour is legal and safe.
Is there a threat that we the public are not aware. Is it that Corona Viruses from China can waft into the jet stream and drop like paratroops onto fisherman at Westport? Might it be frightfully possible that we may be swallowed whole by mutant razor clams lurking beneath the sand. What, if we may ask, is this horrorshow?
I suspect it is one of the worst kind of threat…a government agency given too much authority.
Continue reading “Washington State Prohibits Citizens From Fishing, Cites Corona Virus Outbreak”
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
A couple years ago we were driving up the coast and a chance glance to my left brought me something I have not seen for many decades, a locomotive having Great Northern Railroad livery. I had to stop and take pictures then, but having only a anemic flip-phone camera, it was nothing to write home about.
I unexpectedly found myself presently having no meetings, paperwork was deferrable, the car had a tank of gas, and the camera was beckoning. This could mean only one thing…ROAD TRIP. So, I thought I’d return to that small town from years ago and snap a few frames.
Click each image to enlarge
Continue reading “Saturday Photos: A Great Northern Railroad F7”
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
It’s the weekend and time to return to the sticks, with of course the requisite camera and hunger for fresh air. Spring yearns to blossom her colors yet winter continues his reign, or should I say “rain”. Nevertheless I still remain patient. All seasons are good as long as you are there to experience them.
Click each photo to enlarge
Continue reading “Sunday Photos: Single Lane Forested Road, Single Lense Reflex, Single Purpose”
I usually do not comment on Hollywood stars and their disconnected reality. However, since I first thought this was a joke meant to amplify his brilliant performance in Joker, it appears that Joaquin Phoenix is serious in announcing that he will wear the same tuxedo in all of his award ceremonies this year to reduce waste. It seems a declaration that preceded the statement from the movie that “I used to think that my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it’s a f**king comedy.” Nevertheless, the sacrifice was met by breathless support from British designer Stella McCartney, who declared that she was “proud to join forces” with the “Joker” star.
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We often discuss how pollution is often discussed without addressing studies showing hundreds of thousands of premature deaths each year due to its health impacts. One of my greatest disagreements with the Trump Administration is its staunchly anti-environmental policies and its opposition to climate change reforms. Indeed, additional rollbacks on environmental protections are being pushed forward by the Administration. The connection between air pollution and death rates for lung cancer, stroke, asthma and other ailments is well established. Now a new study has linked it to the loss of bone density and strength.
Continue reading “Study: Air Pollution Causes Loss In Bone Density”
We have discussed disgraceful attacks or abuse of wild animals from birds to squirrels to tortoises to rabbits to sharks in the past but few reach the level of reported savagery as this week in New Zealand where a shark allegedly was pulled from the water and kicked to death on a beach. Most of us cannot imagine wanting to participate in such an attack on a wild creature. Indeed, many of us travel hundreds or thousands of miles just to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats. Yet, there remain many people who get a sick joy in harming animals or watching such unspeakable scenes of cruelty. The most distressing element is to see children in some of these pictures. However, the one promising note is that there were people who sought to intervene to help the shark though they said that they roughly treated by the mob.
Continue reading “New Zealand Horrified By Videos Of Beachgoers Kicking Shark To Death While Laughing and Taking Selfies”
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
While on another drive through the woods, I could not help but notice the affinity of which moss takes to the trees, much it seems to their lichen. After all, what is there not to like about nature?
Continue reading “When Moss Takes A Lichen To Trees”
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
In response to this week’s unnecessary contentions on a personal and national scale I thought I would offer to the reader a bit of a respite and distraction. Here follow a few pictures of a journey I made to the coast, featuring the woods, lighthouses and a sunset.
Feel free to click on each image for a larger version. Enjoy…
Continue reading “A Few Pictures Of The Coast”
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
We went for a short drive and found a few images worth sharing. People should take more time to experience nature, and less time fighting about the employment status of elected officials.
Click each to enlarge
Continue reading “A Few Pictures of the Coast”
Yesterday hiking in Nevada and California took me from the sweet to the bittersweet. The Sagehen trail can only be described as a “sweet” trail. Trails have personalities. Some played with you and make you earn the summit. Some are just sweetheart, girl-next-door trails. That is the Sagehen trail. A lovely 5 miles there-and-back to a lake with added side trails available. I then did the Donner Summit and Mount Judas trails. That one is not sweet but gorgeous. Think of Mary Ann and Ginger. It was a great combination on a spectacular day.
Continue reading “Sweet to Bittersweet: Hiking Sagehen And Donner Summit Trails”
By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
My wife and I went for a drive and happened along an abandoned nuclear power plant along the side of the road. As this was a bit out of the ordinary, I took a few pictures.
Continue reading “From Atoms to Mothballs: Photos of an Abandoned Nuke Plant”
I am in California to speak among the judges and attorneys of the Eastern District in Lake Tahoe on Sunday. As many on this blog know, I am an avid hiker and often take the opportunity of these trips to explore the local trails and forests. Yesterday, I hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail and then the Mt. Rose Trail. These trails take you along the Nevada and California border. The latter is quite difficult as you work your way up the summit of the highest point in the area. At roughly 9000 feet, it is the highest peak of the greater Sierra Nevada range. It is a gorgeous though strenuous hike.
Continue reading “The Beauty of Mount Rose”
Good news for kids around the world! Researchers at Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands have determined that it is possible to grow food on Mars except for spinach. Of course, Matt Damon was the first to demonstrate this finding. Unfortunately, the selection thus far is not what many of us would prefer: garden cress, rocket, tomato, radish, rye, quinoa, chives, peas and leek. Only spinach failed to grow.
Continue reading “Report: No Spinach On Mars”
I started Sunday with a dawn hike at Billygoat trail. I then went on a hike with visiting family (and our dog Luna) to Scott’s Run. It was a gorgeous fall day with temperatures hovering in the 50s. Scott’s Run is shorter, but you can walk to the waterfall and then along the river. It tends to be quite busy, but it remains a favorite for dog owners.
Continue reading “Sunday Hikes: From Billygoat to Scott’s Run”