Gallery Juana - photography & art

Last Friday, we took a day trip to Seattle.  The main focus of the trip for me was to tour the Victorian Radicals exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum. As usual, we got to Seattle on public transportation: bus, ferry, and train We started off the day with a cup of coffee at a cafe on the 40th floor.  From there, I headed over to the Seattle Art Museum for the Victorian Radicals exhibition. I really enjoyed this show.   I took photos of some of my favorites: La Donna della Finestra, 1881 by Dante Gabriel Rossetti Rossetti produced three variations on this composition. The one above, the Birmingham version, was begun the year before he died and thus left incomplete. Musica by Kate Elizabeth Bunce ca. 1895-97, oil on canvas Musica by Kate Elizabeth Bunce ca. 1895-97, oil on canvas quoted from the exhibition card: “Kate Elizabeth Bunce was an English painter and poet associated with the Arts and Crafts movement in Birmingham. “ Proserpine, 1881-82,  Dante Gabr

At the end of September we took an overnight bicycle trip and stayed at the circa 1907 Captain Whidbey Inn. This was our second time this year to stay there. Both times we have stayed in the main log building. It is old and creaky which is part of its charm. The rooms in the main log building do not have a T.V. and I love that feeling of getting away from it all . Captain Whidbey Inn Captain Whidbey Inn view from our room From the Inn, there are lots of local places accessible by bicycle. For this latest trip, we rode our bicycles from the Inn to the Pratt Loop which begins off of the Kettles Trail. I've taken the Kettles Trail in the past when riding to   Fort Ebey State Park . The National Park Service has a detailed map of the Kettles trail system and other trails that connect to it here: https://www.nps.gov/ebla/planyourvisit/upload/050514-Trails-Map.pdf Kettle Spur trail Kettle Spur trail Pratt Loop Pratt Loop Trail at

Larry Scott trail, Cape George Trailhead Larry Scott trail, Port Townsend WA We cycled down the Larry Scott trail several years ago when we took a bike tour and camped at the Fort Townsend State Park.  The trail extends even further so we returned to Port Townsend and revisited the trail.  Jefferson County provides a nice map of the trail here: https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/972/Larry-Scott-Trail-Trail-Map-PDF The trail begins at the boatyard and meanders along the coast past the paper mill.  Since we had taken that route before, I wanted to travel a different route to reach the Cape George trailhead.  We took the back roads (Hastings Ave W to Cape George Rd) and for the most part, there was hardly any traffic.  Port Townsend is a very bicycle friendly town and most drivers/cars do their part to share the road. Port Townsend, Wa Wooden Boat Festival The Wooden Boat Festival was also in town.  Leaving on the ferry back to Whidbey Island

lavender fields The weekend of July 21 we hopped on a bus with the bicycles which took us a couple of hours North. After checking into a local Inn, we rode the bicycles about 5 miles further north to a lavender farm. The day was pleasantly warm and the views of the farms, fields and ocean were spectacular. In the late afternoon, we took a walk around the town and I bought some wonderful anise incense. Blue Heron The kayakers and wildlife were out and about too. Later in the evening, we sat on our room's balcony with some wine, cheese, a baguette and a view of the water. On Tuesday after checking out of the Inn and having lunch in town, we rode the 25 miles home. It was a humid and hot day, so lots of breaks along the way in the shade. Arriving home, I felt tired and satisfied at the accomplishment. view my art blog here http://GalleryJuana.com .

Female and Male Quail About a couple of weeks ago, I noticed Quail were coming to my patio.  They make the quirkiest bird call which makes me smile. finch finches The parent birds continue to come by with their fledglings.   I think the fledgling above is a House Finch sitting between the two American Finches.  It's fun to see the birds mixing amongst each other. My sweet peas and fuchsia look like they might have some flower buds.  Keeping my fingers crossed. view my art blog here http://GalleryJuana.com .

rhododendrons Just outside my window where I like to sit and watch the birds is a  rhododendron.  It's been in bloom since early May and still has some flowers on it. male house finch and fledglings A while back the birds were busy building their nests.  They would come by the feeders with twigs or straw in there beaks.  And now they are visiting with their offspring.   It's just amazing to see! view my art blog here http://GalleryJuana.com .