28 Jan 13.  With the inversion layer that hung around here for the better part of two weeks, we had some rather interesting temperature layers that made for higher level melting and lower level freezing. The day trip during which we went looking for the eagles saw temps around 40°F at 5K feet and 28°F at 4K feet. So snow melting at higher levels was running off and refreezing at lower levels. Made for some very nice ice sculptures. Perhaps what one might expect to see in a florist's shop as opposed to the kind of ice sculptures you see on a cruise or at a wedding. These were located right beside the road and as such were generally in the shade, but every so often we came upon a grouping where the sunlight was filtering through the trees and nicely illuminating the subjects. This looks to be a portion of a cedar branch that has been captured by the process. Above it was a series of rather large icicles which may be the subject of another mailing. Nikon D300s; 18 - 200; Aperture Priority; ISO 200; 1/400 sec @ f / 8.
William Baker House

The William Baker House is significant as a vernacular version of Classical Revival architecture. The present house, which dates to the late 1820s or early 1830s, was built by William Baker II, or his son William Baker III. The house is situated at a relatively high elevation in the sandhills and provides a view of Columbia, seen across the Congaree River and Congaree Swamp. The two-storied frame structure sits on a high basement, which enables a view of the hand-hewn logs and pegging. This house features a v-crimp metal roof and full-length hipped-roof veranda, surmounted by a center balcony with pediment. A simple balustrade connects the square columns on both levels. Two interior chimneys protrude from the medium pitched gable roof. The front entrance contains a paneled door enclosed by sidelights and a transom; the rear entrance is identical, but without the transom. The interior walls are plastered and feature wainscoting and doors that are marbleized, using the technique of featherpainting. Fireplaces are plain with dentil molding around the mantels. Wide, heart-pine flooring is found in each room. A wooden outbuilding and family cemetery are included in the nominated property. Listed in the National Register March 8, 1978.
24 Jan 13.  The last leg of our Highway 20 trip last Tuesday saw us driving up to the Baker Lake area. Formed by a dam, Baker Lake offers some nice scenic areas in which to ply the art. Below Baker Lake proper there is another very small mud dam that forms another lake, but it is very small and I have not been able to find the name of it yet. There is a nice park associated with this small dam and plenty of camping area for those so inclined. You can also drive right out to the end of the dam, and from what I can tell the roadway across the top of the dam is open seasonally, or at least that is my perspective as I've only been there late in the year and both times it was closed. But you can walk out there if desired or just remain at the campground end and shoot, which is what I did on this last trip. Looking out over the lake you can see Mt Baker to your left, or at least it topmost portion, and directly across from your lake viewpoint,  Sloan Peak in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. At 7835 feet it is by far not the most impressive peak in the Cascade range, but in as much as it looks a lot like the Matterhorn it will get your attention, even from a distance. And even though most of its sides present a difficult ascent, on one side is a scrambling trail all the way to the summit. While we were there it was playing a very active game of peek-a-boo with several layers of clouds, such that I thought of originally naming this image, layers. The temp was about 28ºF with a small amount of wind, so it was a bit chilly, but well worth being there. Nikon D300s; 18 - 200; Aperture priority; ISO 200; 1/640 sec @ f / 8.
Elizabeth Baker Keffer, Michael Powell. Photo by Tony Powell. Midnight Down Under. The Hamilton. January 21, 2013
24 Jan 13. The last leg of our Highway 20 trip last Tuesday saw us driving up to the Baker Lake area. Formed by a dam, Baker Lake offers some nice scenic areas in which to ply the art. Below Baker Lake proper there is another very small mud dam that forms another lake, but it is very small and I have not been able to find the name of it yet. There is a nice park associated with this small dam and plenty of camping area for those so inclined. You can also drive right out to the end of the dam, and from what I can tell the roadway across the top of the dam is open seasonally, or at least that is my perspective as I've only been there late in the year and both times it was closed. But you can walk out there if desired or just remain at the campground end and shoot, which is what I did on this last trip. Looking out over the lake you can see Mt Baker to your left, or at least it topmost portion, and directly across from your lake viewpoint, Sloan Peak in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. At 7835 feet it is by far not the most impressive peak in the Cascade range, but in as much as it looks a lot like the Matterhorn it will get your attention, even from a distance. And even though most of its sides present a difficult ascent, on one side is a scrambling trail all the way to the summit. While we were there it was playing a very active game of peek-a-boo with several layers of clouds, such that I thought of originally naming this image, layers. The temp was about 28ºF with a small amount of wind, so it was a bit chilly, but well worth being there. Nikon D300s; 18 - 200; Aperture priority; ISO 200; 1/640 sec @ f / 8.
24 Jan 13.  The last leg of our Highway 20 trip last Tuesday saw us driving up to the Baker Lake area. Formed by a dam, Baker Lake offers some nice scenic areas in which to ply the art. Below Baker Lake proper there is another very small mud dam that forms another lake, but it is very small and I have not been able to find the name of it yet. There is a nice park associated with this small dam and plenty of camping area for those so inclined. You can also drive right out to the end of the dam, and from what I can tell the roadway across the top of the dam is open seasonally, or at least that is my perspective as I've only been there late in the year and both times it was closed. But you can walk out there if desired or just remain at the campground end and shoot, which is what I did on this last trip. Looking out over the lake you can see Mt Baker to your left, or at least it topmost portion, and directly across from your lake viewpoint,  Sloan Peak in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. At 7835 feet it is by far not the most impressive peak in the Cascade range, but in as much as it looks a lot like the Matterhorn it will get your attention, even from a distance. And even though most of its sides present a difficult ascent, on one side is a scrambling trail all the way to the summit. While we were there it was playing a very active game of peek-a-boo with several layers of clouds, such that I thought of originally naming this image, layers. The temp was about 28ºF with a small amount of wind, so it was a bit chilly, but well worth being there. Nikon D300s; 18 - 200; Aperture priority; ISO 200; 1/640 sec @ f / 8.
24 Jan 13. The last leg of our Highway 20 trip last Tuesday saw us driving up to the Baker Lake area. Formed by a dam, Baker Lake offers some nice scenic areas in which to ply the art. Below Baker Lake proper there is another very small mud dam that forms another lake, but it is very small and I have not been able to find the name of it yet. There is a nice park associated with this small dam and plenty of camping area for those so inclined. You can also drive right out to the end of the dam, and from what I can tell the roadway across the top of the dam is open seasonally, or at least that is my perspective as I've only been there late in the year and both times it was closed. But you can walk out there if desired or just remain at the campground end and shoot, which is what I did on this last trip. Looking out over the lake you can see Mt Baker to your left, or at least it topmost portion, and directly across from your lake viewpoint, Sloan Peak in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. At 7835 feet it is by far not the most impressive peak in the Cascade range, but in as much as it looks a lot like the Matterhorn it will get your attention, even from a distance. And even though most of its sides present a difficult ascent, on one side is a scrambling trail all the way to the summit. While we were there it was playing a very active game of peek-a-boo with several layers of clouds, such that I thought of originally naming this image, layers. The temp was about 28ºF with a small amount of wind, so it was a bit chilly, but well worth being there. Nikon D300s; 18 - 200; Aperture priority; ISO 200; 1/640 sec @ f / 8.
See photo in original gallery.