Friday, February 28, 2020

Giant Pacific Octopus


Like some alien from a distant planet, the Giant Pacific Octopus glides through the water in a mind bending display of twirling arms and shining eyes bright with inhuman intelligence. This leviathan of the deep will dwell here at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium until it is fully grown, at which time it will be release into the wild ocean depths of Puget Sound.


Thursday, February 27, 2020

Powder Days in the High Cascades


Thick snow coats the deep forests of silver fir that cling to rugged mountain slopes in the high reaches of the Cascade Mountains. Glittering with a freezing rainbow of monochromatic hues, winter paints the forest in the colors of a slumbering world. The underlying greenery may still be glimpsed in passing, peeking through its icy shroud - a harbinger of spring and the warm months to come.

 


Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Red Wolves at Point Defiance Zoo


Red wolves frolic among the trees at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Here and at other zoos Red Wolves were protected and bred in captivity even as they became extinct in the wild. Now, after years of careful breeding these majestic creatures are making a comeback.

 

Monday, February 17, 2020

A Presidents Day Music Video - My Country Tis' of Thee



Bask in the glory of America's wild majesty this Presidents Day, and appreciate it's finest treasure, it's wilderness and the wonders contained within those untouched bastions of thriving natural splendor.

America (My Country Tis' of Thee) was composed in 1831 by Samuel Francis Smith, and is performed here by my sister Laurien Zahn (piano and voice), and me, Andy Zahn (guitar). The recording is a little rough, but we had a lot of fun playing it and creating this video! The footage here represents several years of filming.

Happy Presidents Day!

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Canon Eos R5 - a revolutionary new camera?




The Canon Eos R5 has been bouncing around the internet rumor mill for some time now, and the list of specs surmised by speculators has beggared belief. Seriously, who would seriously believe that after years of hobbling their cameras with artificial software limitations that Canon would decide to leapfrog the competition with a camera that blew away all previous expectations. That’s why their confirmation of some of the R5’s more surprising features came as such a shock to the photography world this past week.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

A Whistling Walrus


A whistling walrus may be one of the most bizarre things I have ever witness. These massive lumbering sea dwelling mammals hide remarkable intelligence beneath their thick layers of blubber, and among their talents is the ability to pucker their lips like a human and whistle. The antics of the Walruses at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma are truly fascinating to observe.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Volunteer Park Conservatory - Photo Gallery


Venture through tropical jungles and desert landscapes in spectacular Volunteer Park Conservatory, a magnificent Victorian style greenhouse built more than a century ago. When the soggy gray weather of Seattle starts to gets you down, a brief journey through the heady scents and steamy aid of the Conservatory will help to sate your cabin fever.

 

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Flying over Government Camp


The gloomy clouds of an overcast day in early spring cloak the forest clothed feet of Mt. Hood. The grand monarch of Northern Oregon stands tall over the wooded highlands of the Cascade Mountains, and nestled amongst frozen lakes, ski hills, and snow covered meadows is the tiny tourist thronged hamlet of Government Camp.


Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Winter in the Cascade Foothills


The white blanket of winter lies but briefly on the soggy hills that rise to buttress the soaring peaks of the Cascade Mountains. The clean air of a crisp snowy day quickly warms to draw back this sparkling curtain and reveal once more the emerald fields and brooding sylvan glades where life springs ever and in abundance here in the Pacific Northwest.

Sunday, February 2, 2020

The Frozen Landscape of Mt. St. Helens


The shining snows of winter lie heavy upon the frigid sleeping landscape of Mt. St. Helens National Monument. The deep drifts shine in contrast to the black volcanic rocks and muted greens of sleeping meadows. The Cascade Mountain range slumbers through the long cold months as the great Volcanoes of the Ring of Fire bide their time through the centuries, till like summer they burst for with boundless energy.