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rtbellpnw.bsky.social
PNW wanderings
@rtbellpnw.bsky.social
590 followers 480 following 170 posts
♥️Photography, music, nature, ecology, art, books and family. PNW. Many years as a working photographer then medical radiographer. Most recently, I’m a volunteer at our local animal shelter.
My photos are (c)
Respectful reposts are welcomed. Not an AI fan
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rtbellpnw.bsky.social
PNW wanderings @rtbellpnw.bsky.social · 29d
Thank you to everyone that has made the effort to repost my images. Hopefully it’ll help spread some joy!🙏
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
This #BaldEagle was definitely #OntheEdge fitting the #BirdOfTheDay theme for today.

#Nature #Birdphotography #Photography #PNW
A bald eagle is seen carefully perched on a cliff edge, during a wind storm, near Cattle Point on San Juan Island, Washington
November 26, 2025 at 6:16 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
Seen many of these #PineSiskins #HangingAround in the Douglas Fir trees chomping on pine seeds.
#BirdOfTheDay

#Photography #nature
#BirdPhotography
November 26, 2025 at 1:50 AM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
#BirdOfTheDay and #HangingAround offers a fun photo of a male #Crossbill

#Birdphotography #Nature
#NaturePhotography #Wildlife
A male Crossbill, brilliant red and orange, hangs onto a thin madrona branch looking downward
November 26, 2025 at 12:06 AM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
For #TidesOutTuesday here’s one from the Agate Beach on the Oregon coast. A lone surfer coming in from a late afternoon session.

#Ocean #Photography
#iPhonePhotography
#SeaScape
A lone surfer taking the long walk in at low tide and in near darkness along Agate Beach. Low tide reveals barnacle encrusted rocks that are often submerged at Agate Beach, Oregon
November 25, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Reposted by PNW wanderings
jonathanstea.bsky.social
When a clown moves into the palace, he doesn’t become a king; the palace becomes a circus.
November 12, 2025 at 11:17 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone that has made the effort to repost my images. Hopefully it’ll help spread some joy!🙏
October 29, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Reposted by PNW wanderings
petermorley.bsky.social
Frank Bisignano is in charge of OUR money, OUR Social Security!

He was CEO of Fiserv & it lost 40% of its value under his watch. He’s not fit to oversee our money!
October 29, 2025 at 6:15 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
Another #Jazz master passed along. One of the GREATS!
RIP #JackDeJohnette
I was fortunate enough to have seen and heard him live a handful of times over the years.

#filmphotography #b&w
#photograply
Jack DeJohnette on drums during an ECM artist’s concert. San Francisco, mid-late 1970’s Film, natural light, old Leica
October 28, 2025 at 12:36 AM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
I was out on a hike to one of my favorite beaches last night, at sunset and the light was refracting off the logs, creating an incredible #Glow I thought, too bad for #BlueSkyArtShow- but alas, the week is not over. :-)

#PNW #SanJuanIsland #Sunset
#Photography #Nature
#AmericanCamp #SJI
October 17, 2025 at 3:23 AM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
I never tire of a brilliant #Sunset
#BlueSkyArtShow #Glow
#Photography #PNW
Cattle Point Lighthouse, San Juan Island, Washington State
October 11, 2025 at 6:33 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
#BlueSkyArtShow and some #Glow with the May of 24 #AuroraBorealis as seen from San Juan Island, Washington State.
The curtain of this Aurora dropped down from above as seen here, looking northward from American Camp, San Juan Island.
October 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
My old swimming hole. Lake Washington, Houghton Beach with Seattle way off in the distance. #Glow
#BlueSkyArtShow
The dock at Houghton Beach, Kirkland, Washington with Seattle way off in the distant left of the photo. Dusk…
October 11, 2025 at 5:39 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
Every part of nature teaches that the passing away of one life is the making room for another.—Journal, 24 October 1837
Henry David Thoreau

#Relax
#BlueSkyArtShow
#Thoreau #Cemetery
#Photography #Graveyard
#SleepyHollow
Henry David Thoreau’s final resting place in Authors Ridge, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord, Massachusetts.
October 5, 2025 at 4:12 AM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
#Pieces creatively assembled into works of provocative #Art to begin a new life and a transition into a greater #whole
#BlueSkyArtShow

#SlabCity #Photography #Barbie
#houseofdots
Sun dried doll parts adorn an abandoned automobile in the California desert, Slab City. Sun baked Barbie Dolls and discarded CD’s make for surface art on an abandoned car
August 16, 2025 at 8:40 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
The perfect topic for this week’s #BlueSkyArtShow are #Pieces of various artworks assembled in #SlabCity and The #houseofdots
August 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
Lots of #pieces to be appreciated in the artworks of #slabcity and the #houseofdots
Another fun submission for this week’s #BlueSkyArtShow
#photography
Pieces of mannequin and other miscellaneous remnants of civilization are assembled into incredible works of art way out in the wilds of the California desert
August 16, 2025 at 7:25 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
For this weeks #BlueSkyArtShow, there are lots of very creative #pieces which have been assembled into fantastic works of art in #BombayBeach and #slabcity way out in the California desert.

#photography
A ship skeleton assembled from scrap wood and car parts can be seen ashore the Salton Sea in Bombay Beach, surrounded by several other interesting pieces of sculpture art.
August 16, 2025 at 7:18 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
It’s #TidesOutTuesday
Here’s one from one of my very favorite hikes. A seasonal waterfall highlights the distant forest.

#photography #seascape #lowtide #salishsea #nature
The rocky shoreline is exposed at low tide here along the coastal Salish Sea and a seasonal waterfall is visualized in the forest lining the rugged cliffs
July 15, 2025 at 6:08 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
Happy Sunday and #Stunday
Here’s another in the series of #hummingbirds playing in the cool water of our fountain.

#photography #nature
#rufushummingbird #naturephotography #bird
#birding
A Rufus hummingbird drinks and cools off in our small garden fountain water spray during a hot summer afternoon
July 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
Today’s #BlueSkyArtShow theme is #SummerDaze

This #hummingbird is finding some cool relief from the warmth in a fountain of fresh water.

#nature #birds #photography
#birdphotography
#rufushummingbird
A Rufus hummingbird drinks and plays in a water fountain during a hot summer day
July 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
A #Goldfinch is going #Sideways for kicks and their contribution to this weeks #BlueSkyArtShow

#Photography #nature #birdphotography #birding
#wildlife
A lovely yellow goldfinch stretches sideways, contorting itself while appearing to look up into the sky. It’s an unusual pose for the bird and I have several photos of it in variations of this posture.
July 5, 2025 at 4:15 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
#GetOutside You’ll never know what visual treat might present itself.
This weeks #BlueSkyArtShow submission is a #Shortearedowl with the Mt. Baker wilderness in the background.

#birdphotography #owl
#nature #photography
A short eared owl takes off from its perch on some branches with the snow covered Cascades in the background. Photo taken on San Juan Island.
June 28, 2025 at 5:47 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
This photographer and their page and works are among my favorites here on Bluesky.
Please take a moment to explore. I found it incredibly interesting and inspiring!
nowaykgn.bsky.social Vanishing and Endangered Cultures @nowaykgn.bsky.social · Jun 21
"Keepers of silver"
The Miao ethnic group's silver ornaments are second to none in quantity and variety. Of course, the purpose of wearing all this silver is primarily aesthetic, but it also shows affluence and is thought to ward off evil spirits.
Miao (or Hmong) silver jewelry has a rich history deeply intertwined with the group's migrations, cultural beliefs, and social practices. Worn for adornment and to ward off evil spirits, it also serves as a symbol of wealth and status, particularly for women. The jewelry's designs and craftsmanship carry historical narratives and reflect the Miao people's connection to their ancestors and traditions. Silver was believed to have protective qualities, capable of warding off evil spirits and toxins. Elaborate silver headdresses, necklaces, bracelets, and other ornaments were worn to safeguard the wearer and their families, especially during significant life events and festivals. The amount and intricacy of silver jewelry worn, particularly by women, could indicate their family's wealth and social standing. Wedding ceremonies often involved the bride being adorned with extensive silver jewelry, showcasing her family's prosperity. Rice wine greeting is a custom unique to the Miao ethnic people. When guests come to a Miao village, chances are they’ll be greeted with several wine blockades before entering the village. The road-blocking wine accompanied by songs may be three to five rounds, with as many as twelve rounds. The guests, however, should remember not to take the cup with their hands; otherwise, the hosts will let go of the cup, and the guests are then expected to drink the whole cup.
June 22, 2025 at 7:22 PM
rtbellpnw.bsky.social
Here’s a bright one for this weeks #Stunday
A #Redbreastednuthatch stands out in contrast to the bright red springtime #photinia leaves

#bird #nature #photography #birdphotography #birding
A Red-breasted nuthatch perched horizontally on a twig with a collage of beautiful red and green leaves from the photinia bushes
June 22, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by PNW wanderings
nowaykgn.bsky.social
The Minor Headdress, known as the Shu'shut, is consistently worn by Kalasha women of Pakistan. A woman only removes it when going to bed at night. Kupas are worn over the Shu'shut and hold significant importance in Kalasha culture. They are worn during all major ceremonies.
The major Headdress: Kupas - Kalasha women wear one of the most elaborate and ornate serpent-style headdresses called Kupas. Kupas is the major headdress of women. Kupas is a woolen headdress hanging down the back, covered with eight to ten rows of cowrie shells or chakash (cakas), with two rows folded upward on each side of the Kupas, and other tail decorations, Kupas is an ornate headdress very heavily decorated with cowrie shells, beads, bells, buttons, metal ornament chamas, feathers, flowers (gamburi), and with mountain pheasant feather plumes called cheish. Kupas holds an important position in Kalasha culture, worn at all important ceremonies, festivals, and during periods of mourning. The little girls get their first Kupas in a ceremony during the winter festival chaumos Minor Headdress Minor Headdress Shu'shut is shown beneath the Major Headdress Kupas. Shushut is worn all the time by Kalasha women. The only time a woman takes off her shushut is when she is going to bed at night. Tens of thousands of Kalasha people, also called Nuristanis, were forcibly converted to Islam during the last century, only a few thousand retain their ancestral religion and traditions. The culture of the Kalash is unique and differs drastically from the various ethnic groups surrounding them. They are polytheists and nature plays a highly significant and spiritual role in their daily life. As part of their religious tradition, sacrifices are offered and festivals are held to give thanks for the abundant resources of their three valleys.
June 15, 2025 at 3:17 PM