What we see, how we see it

My pandemic walks have gotten shorter, a lot shorter. I need to change that, because walking is good for the soul. I need an attitude shift, though. When I step out the door, things seem great. But it's not long before I start thinking about the people I'd like to see, the closed businesses, the people in tents who have it infinitely harder than I do, and the surging COVID numbers. It's enough to make one think ok good walk let's go home.

Goal - long walk tomorrow. Again, walks are good for the soul.

Most of my walks take me through the Pike Pine corridor. I think for a lot of people - understandably - that is the heart of Capitol Hill. It's nice to walk through there at golden hour, especially this time of year. Watching dogs run and play in Cal Anderson, filtered through autumnal leaves, is never a bad choice.

That same soft light falls gently on Pike Pine's colorful brick buildings and rainbow crosswalks. I've only been in Sam's Tavern once, but I've stopped and taken in the view of its reddish-pink facade countless times.

I take a lot of photos of the Comet Tavern. I love the neon sign, and its wonderfully clear requirements for admission. People will always slip through the gate, but I appreciate the declaration. It's often the brick building above that has drawn my eye. My peripheral vision takes in Lost Lake, Ikina Sushi, Ritual, and the Shell station.

I can't believe I've never eaten at Ikina Sushi. I love their windows and black and white exterior. I have stood outside those windows dozens of times trying to - brazen is the word I'm looking for, but I can't make it work at 0400 - balance the desire to take what I think would be a great photo and the sanctity of a sushi counter and a meal out. Sushi chefs (all chefs) are artists...and photographers are moths to that sashimi flame.

I started writing this yesterday...or was it last week? I've lost my train of thought. I know I wanted to talk about fall colors and digital photography. There's always the debate between JPG and RAW. I usually have my camera set to take JPG + RAW. Most of the time I just go with the JPG. Fujifilm's JPGs work for me in most cases, and I'm not skilled enough in post-processing to get the most out of RAW.

I thought it might be interesting to post a comparison. The photo I'm using is from 12th and Pine. I like that view, looking east from the intersection. The resulting photos often disappoint. The mind plays tricks. Which is closer to the version I saw, which is the version my mind wanted to see?

I didn't make it out for a long walk today, but I was out long enough to catch some nature. I can't remember why I stopped, but when I looked up, I saw a crow perched on a wire. I looked to the right and thought he was hanging with a buddy, but after a double-take I realized it was a hawk. Or a falcon. I don't know the difference. Is there one?

Several other crows arrived. They did not appreciate the presence of the hawk, and they were trying to make life unpleasant for the hawk with dive bombs and squawks. The hawk was unfazed. It was incredible to watch the teamwork and communication of the crows and the independence and confidence of the hawk. (I really blew it with the video. I didn't realize that the hawk's shift to its right would make it so difficult to see against the backdrop of that tree.)