On Saturday I met some friends at the Conservatory in Seattle's Volunteer Park.  It was a cool, dreary, gray winter day, with rain spitting down on and off, which made the warmth of the greenhouse all the more pleasant.

(Cross-posted from my site, where you can see the additional photo: https://andrewflenniken.com/2026/02/10/february-10th-2026-staying-warm-conserving-heat-and-plants/)

It had been a few years since I'd last visited, and I'd forgotten how serene the conservatory is on a day like that.  If you live nearby, or have something similar in your area, it's a good break if winter gloom is getting you down.

I didn't get a shot outside, so I've included one I took in a different winter a few years ago, when it was snowing.

Gear: Nikon Z 7II, Nikon 85mm f1.8, Fujifilm X-T4, Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f2.8

#Photography #VolunteerPark #VolunteerParkConservatory #Nikon #NikonCreators #Fujifilm

Took my meshcore radio up the Volunteer Park water tower today.

I'm pretty floored by how well it worked!

This one node was able to bridge connections from Capital Hill, Seattle Center, Shoreline, the 520 bridge and many points in between.

I was only up there an hour but was able to chat with people all over the city.

#Seattle #MeshCore #VolunteerPark #WaterTower #LoRa #radio #CapitalHill #SeattleCenter #Shoreline #rt520 #Greenlake #Ballard

It's time for our annual Sangha Picnic!

Weather permitting, we're gathering this Sunday, Sep 22nd from 1-4pm at Volunteer Park in Seattle. All Recovery Dharma groups in the area are welcome to attend. Feel free to bring friends and family. We'll meet near the dahlia garden located close to the north east side of the park.

Everyone can bring a vegetarian dish to share or their own picnic and beverages. All are welcome!

#recoverydharma #buddhistrecovery #recovery #volunteerpark #seattle #sangha

Seen last night about 8:30-9pm, #VolunteerPark, #Seattle - loads of enormous dragonflies zooming around, low and very close - presumably hunting the clouds of small flies buzzing in the evening light.

(Just south of the water tower, at the road entrance to the park - I imagine they'll be there again tonight, insect fans!)

I thought I'd recorded some video on my phone, but managed a couple of terrible photos instead. Ah well. Smartphones: so intuitive.

#insects #nature

Northern Lights above Capitol Hill? ‘Best aurora viewing conditions that many of us in the PNW have ever experienced’

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2024/05/northern-lights-above-capitol-hill-best-aurora-viewing-conditions-that-many-of-us-in-the-pnw-have-ever-experienced/

A community of stargazers grows at the summit of Capitol Hill

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2024/05/a-community-of-stargazers-grows-at-the-summit-of-capitol-hill/