While we were pulling a crab pot this huge tanker appeared to be heading out of Kachemak Bay right for us. I’m not whether they turned to avoid us, or they just always leave the bay in a curved path. Either way, it was fun to see a tanker that close, and nice that they didn’t crush us to bits.

I’ll get around to posting some photos from my latest trip to Alaska soon, but in the meantime please enjoy this lovely photo of a pollock.

I love braised beef short ribs, but in the middle of summer I hate using the oven. It’s not as if it makes the house a lot warmer, but it sure feels like it. So, I grilled these lovely specimens after rubbing them down with some creole seasoning. They did end up a little tough, but that was easily overcome by slicing them thinly.

The purple coneflowers are looking a little tired, but apparently they’re still fine for this bee. EXIF says I wasn’t using the FA 50/1.4…I think I used the 50/1.4 SMC for this shot – the 50/4 macro lens doesn’t make bokeh like that.

Yesterday the Tidal Basin was way too crowded so today I decided to make a Metro-and-foot trip down, knowing rain and Monday would thin the crowds a bit. The rain and wind weren’t fun, but the Tidal Basin was very quiet and the blanket of petals all over everything was well worth getting a little wet.

It’s springtime in DC, which means cherry blossoms and tourists. After the inauguration, the cherry blossom crowds seem pretty tame – no need for the national guard to do crowd control at least. However, trying to take photos around the tidal basin you’re either standing in someone’s way or further trampling the already dead grass. So, I like to head over to East Potomac Park, towards Hains Point, instead. Also, the blossoms around the tidal basin and Hains Point are all the same delicate pinkish-white, so if you like some variety in your blossoms, you’ve gotta go elsewhere. I found the bright pink blossoms at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton.

Update: Added a couple more from Brookside Gardens. This Flickr set contains a few more photos.

I like the shadows in this shot of the ladies braving the cold wind near Uspenski Cathedral.

A power pole in La Conner, Washington, spotted during the spring 2008 family reunion.

I didn’t know what all the tanks on the rooftops were when I took the photo. As usual, Wikipedia knew the answer: they’re water tanks that were mandated in the 1800s in order to maintain water pressure in buildings over 6 stories. Presumably they’re still there because they work, but they’re a little precarious looking. Makes me wonder how New Yorkers can possibly claim their city water tastes good – maybe it’s like fine wine aged in oak barrels?