Yesterday was cloudy with a spit of rain here and there, hardly enough to run the windshield wipers. It seemed a good day to head up to Skagit County, a place of open vistas, farms, plentiful water, and small towns.
Under moody skies Lummi Island hid its top across the estuary’s dark waters. Hidden among lapping waves, three loons dove and disappeared, their sleek heads reemerging closer, then farther out, in a mesmerizing rhythm older than we could imagine.
Fishing is good now on the Samish River, for catching salmon as well as quiet camaraderie. The endless fields and marshes, distant blue hills, wet smells and gulls’ cries forge an atmosphere that can soak peace right into the bones.
Herons were busy yesterday, too. This one strutted his stuff to ward off an interloper from the perfect spot on the slough.
Salt-tolerant Douglas asters highlight the marsh with lavender splashes. September asters are flowers to be grateful for – soon there will be nothing in bloom out here.
Spiders are busy among the ripening rose hips, and colors are more vivid for the moisture in the air.
What is it about overcast skies that suits this land so well?
A farmer drew a line of sunflowers along the edge of a field. It’s a horizontal landscape here: one long edge after another, piled up in subtle stripes, variations on a restful theme.
In the small town of Edison, hard by a slough-edged farm, a handful of laid back restaurants beckon. We chose an old favorite and tucked in to grits with curried sausage and shrimp, eggs with a big country biscuit, roasted tomatoes, arugula and orange slices. Our water was steeped with mint and lemon. The owner chatted with friends at the next table, tattooed cooks brought plate after plate heaped with local food out, and the blues drifted over, completing the picture.
Photos taken with a Lumix G3; 20mm prime and 80 mm macro lenses. The last two were taken with a Samsung phone.
bluebrightly 
You’ve painted a beautiful picture! Great writing and photos!
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Thank you! I appreciate hearing your thoughts –
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Thank you, Lynn, for bringing us along on a mesmerizing adventure. I love your words and photos, with their moody yet delightful atmosphere. 🙂
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Thanks Cathy – I had some camera troubles but persevered. It’s a really beautiful area.
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Thank you so much for sharing your day with us Lynn. Hugely envious. I’d have loved to come along for real.. 🙂
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If not for real, we all do a damn good job of virtual traveling, don’t we?
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This is super, Lynn. Pure poetry, your posts are.
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Melissa, you’re very nice to say that – glad you enjoyed it.
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Thanks Lynn. I enjoyed the trip – i spite of the weather!
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You have to go with it! 🙂
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Lovely account of a journey, Lynn – and The FATman certainly likes the sound of the local food – and I bet the blues were good too. Enjoyable post! Adrian
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Food and blues were both excellent. The area and those restaurants are known for local, fresh food. It’s a treat. Thanks Adrian!
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You paint a great cloudy day with your writing…and the first shot is a great way to begin this quiet but adventurous day.
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They’re all probably familiar scenes to you – thanks, and I hope you’re well!
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What a lovely and atmospheric account in words and pictures. I haven’t looked to see where you are, but it looks like it could be bleak in the wintertime.
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Thank you, nice to hear from you. Yes, it can be bleak in winter. I’m in the Seattle area, which actually has loads and loads of trees, and mountain views. These photos are considerable north of Seattle in an area with lots of open agricultural space. It doesn’t get much snow but can be pretty gray in winter.
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Such openness all round Lynn and a joy to be part of it . I see you making the most of the days and finding colour in a grey scene which although I can be the worst for bemoaning what the skies hold do add a certain mood to many photographs … stirring up any number of emotions .
Your restaurant stop sounded great fun !
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Those big beautiful spaces with so many gorgeous tones, a lovely feeling of forever about these shots Lyn!
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