My Way Is The Highway

Japanese willow resplendent in fall colors, Kubota Garden, Seattle

I got a couple of good shots during my last visit to Kubota garden, but I was not satisfied. That day was overcast and I did not get to capture what I had started out for - fall colors backlit by the sun.

The next few days, Seattle was shrouded in a heavy cloak of fog and clouds. Not a ray of sunlight escaped the seize. I did my part. I kept the camera ready in the boot of my car just to take advantage of the vagaries of nature, if such a chance came my way.

Coming out of a meeting, I realized that the sky heavily overcast an hour ago had cleared and a soft sunset was on its way. I ran to my car and pointed it across the bridge to Kubota garden. As I reached the garden, the sun had already started dipping behind the tall fir trees and I rushed to the east most part of the garden.

There, just for under five minutes, a Japanese maple was bathed in the most glorious light. Now I am satisfied.

Seattle Fall Colors @ Kubota

Three years ago while wandering through the farmers market, I was drawn to a stall exhibiting a photo of a massive tree resplendent in fall colors bending over a water body. After praising the image lavishly I innocently asked the lady where it was taken. Hesitatingly she confessed that it was taken at the Kubota Garden in Seattle.

“But don’t fool yourselves in believing that you can go there and come back with a photo like this.” 

I was taken aback by the attitude. I silently paid $3.99 to buy a postcard of her photo and have been keeping it on my desk ever since.

Finally I got to shoot it.

What I thought was a massive tree is no more than 3 feet tall! No wonder she did not mind challenging me. Now I can’t wait for the farmers market to open next year so that I can go show it to her.

Rattlesnake Ledge: The best eastside hike

An afternoon well spent. A 20 mile drive on I90, a 0.1 mile walk to the trailhead. A 2 mile gentle climb for the most satisfying view of the turquoise lake.