Kites everywhere...

Photo by D. Grant Haynes

The annual Long Beach, Washington, kite festival began today, August 15, 2011, in Long Beach. Beach skies were filled with exotic kites most of us could only have dreamt of in our childhoods. The festival will continue all week, concluding on Sunday, August 21.

View to the East of Willapa Hills from Long Beach, Washington

Young gulls vie for handouts

Best viewed on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pXzjJRFkG0

Thousands of blackbirds perform evening ritual at Long Beach

Can be viewed more effectivly directly on YouTube at:

http://youtu.be/ZWxSnHZ7ntY

Gulls, terns at Ocean Park on Long Beach Peninsular

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z35yqi3g3c

Long Beach kite festival coming!

Photos by D. Grant Haynes

Kiting enthusiasts from throughout North America are already gathering in Long Beach for the annual International Kite Festival to be held August 15-21 this year. Kites are a serious business here. There is a kite museum and at least one kite specialty shop. For one who purchased Hi-Flyer paper kites for less than a dollar in F.W. Woolworth's in a 1950's Columbus, Georgia, 21st Century kiting in Washington State is a whole 'nother ball game. Some kites cost upwards of $200 nowadays. That I should live so long! -- D. Grant Haynes

Rainier dominates Cascade skyline

Photo by D. Grant Haynes

This view of Mt. Rainier (elevation 14,411 feet) was taken from White Pass on Highway 12 in Southwestern Washington on August 1, 2011. It is not too often that Rainier is out. Clouds cloak the dormant volcano more often than not. Mt. Rainier is considered to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. Despite her potential for eruptive activity similar to Mt. St. Helens' in 1980, Rainier lends dramatic beauty to Washington State. (See Wikipedia article at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rainier for more detail.)