i don't heart mosquito

In wonderful contrast to Saturday's weather, Sunday was quite lovely (or, more likely, I just acclimated to the weather, eh?). A hike was in order. Our initial plans for the day changed (bummer butcher! we missed ya!) and we were faced with a decision... where to go? Our boundary was Snoqualmie Pass, so we narrowed it down to Annette Lake. I don't think that my blog can capture the magnitude of this particular hike. It has been on Del's mind for about a year, it almost claimed his sweet soul, and Sunday was his third attempt. Luckily, we made it up and down the trail without any wierdness whatsover. phew.

ok, ok, ok, back to the pictures!

Learning
Landscapes are without a doubt, not my favorites. I love being out in nature, love to witness the glorious vistas, but can never seem to translate that beauty into my pictures. I am trying a few new techniques, so the picture below is called "learning" because, well, I am still learning.



mosquito. blah.
We were warned by other hikers that the lake was "buggy." D-ang they weren't kidding. Note to self: time to add bug spray to the back pack! I didn't take many pictures because the little mosquitos were driving me nuts!!! I *almost* like the one below; even though I used my gradient cokin filter, the sky is still whited out. yuck. Otherwise, I really am happy with the details in the picture.


kodak chipmunk
ah yeah. what trip to the lake would be complete without a chipmunk's portrait?
While I was trying to macro some flowers (and use my new speedlight!), I noticed a little chipmunk darting around the edge of the lake. I captured the frame below & made very, very few edits. It isn't one of my favorites artistically, because the darn thing is perfectly centered & the background is so flashy... but I am content with having an in-focus nature shot.



I am *almost* caught up with my editing! I have a few more from a hike that I went on in Leavenworth with some friends from work that I still need to work through, but I think that might be it? ooooo, time for more adventures!