A sad beginning to the new year

Five Stanwood teens out driving on a closeby country road decided to test their speed. The Acura was going an estimated 85 MPH in a 35 when it left the road, spun in the air, rolled over and landed on it's wheels in the ditch. 2 of the boys had graduated from Stanwood high last year and the 2 girls and another boy are students now. The accident happened within 2 miles from my house at 2PM in the middle of the day on a straight country road.
The driver, home on leave from the Army, 19 yr old Mason Derrick died, the other teens have critical and serious injuries.
No drink or drugs involved----just speed.
Local kids are decorating the memorial barn near town.
Let's all slow down a little bit. MB

A new day is dawning---Sky Watch & Theme Day--Changes

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

And the Theme for January is Changes--We are changing from One Year to Another and with that a new decade of good.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

To see more skies from around the world or to participate go to:
www.skyley.blogspot.com

Birds of the Valley

Some of these birds are permanent residents to the Stilly and Skagit Valleys and some are winter visitors.

Bald Eagle Permanent resident and visitor from the north





Snow Geese visitor from the far norther tundra



Great Blue Heron---Year round residents



Trumpter Swan visitor from Siberia

Islands in the sky

I took these early this morning. The sun actually was shining up here but looking towards Mr. Rainier it was socked in fog. I like the way the trees poke through the fog and is the mountain floating or waiting to get all covered up? MB

Old Barn

Isn't this a great barn and remember the old tire swing. check out the date and the barn is still being used if only to store farm vehicles. MB

Freeway Artist

I took these pictures last May driving on a frontage road by I-5 freeway north of me near Conway. I don't know what he was painting because he was facing NW which is just more freeway and an overpass. Maybe that was it--the overpass. I thought it was interesting. He is standing in meadow flowers. MB

10th St. Boat Launch

Coming home from Whidbey Island on Thursday I showed the Everett Boat Launch to the kids and we watched boats and a beautiful sunset.
The Boat Launch is on Port Gardiner Bay which is part of North Puget Sound which is the gateway to the San Juans, Salish Sound and the Pacific Ocean. MB

If you would like to see some Sky Watch Photos go to:http://www.skyley.blogspot.com/