Closing Time at Pikes Place Market

On a recent trip, I found myself with a bit of time to wander Seattle with a camera. Roaming eventually found me in Pikes Place Market, just as they were tucking away for the night. Markets are fascinating places all through the day, from the deserted building blooming suddenly with vendors to the little stories told by the things left at the end of the day.

One of the flower sellers packing up wore this beautiful swirling skirt of butterflies. I wish I knew her story... 

 Everyone seems in a cheerful mood as they pack up, and embark into a city still flooded with golden light.

Gossamer Leaves

Skeleton leaves are ones that have had all the softer parts worn away by frost and only the delicate framework is left. I love that- such a beautiful fragile seeming thing that is marked by survival. There is a collection of these at my house, dried in a flower press and kept in a book, and gracing my mantle. One also found a place in this pendant, a simple, secondhand glass locket that has turned out to be one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. I'd love to fill it with dragonfly or butterfly wings too... from deceased specimens, of course!