Dr. Jose Rizal Park - Wow!

Dr. Jose Rizal Park has amazing views of the Seattle skyline from the south, as well as Safeco and Qwest Field, and Elliot Bay.

This was my first visit to the park, and I was pretty much blown away by the views. And this was inspite of having only visited Kerry Park a couple days prior. Both parks are very nice vantages.

The first view that gets your attention is obviously the view of the city and the freeway wrapping around it. At night (or early morning in my case), headlights and taillights create colorful streams of ribon during long exposures. The above image was exposed at 15 seconds, f16.

Qwest Field is a close second in the running for your attention from this park, at least at night. The colorful blue roof serves as a beacon south of the city. In stark contrast, Safeco Field is simply a dark structure with no lights.

Also cast in bright lights in the south industrial area are the cranes serving the Port of Seattle along Elliott Bay. I found them an interesting scene, especially once the Olympic Mountains began to emerge closer to sunrise. The cargo ships can be scene docked with full loads just beyond the Qwest Event Center Parking Garage. This composition was squeazed between Qwest Field and Safeco Field.

Vertical isolations were also fun to play with from this vantage. The black building in this composition is the Columbia Center - tallest buidling in Seattle and second tallest on the west coast at 987 feet. Originally, it was supposed to be even taller. But FAA regulations would not allow the proposed height of 1005 feet due to its close proximity to Sea-Tac Airport.

The building has an observation deck on the 73rd floor that is open to the public (for a fee) on weekdays only. The views are supposed to rival those from the Space Needle - some say better. Though the panorama is not 360, they are reported to be excellent of the city and of Elliot Bay. This attraction has been added to my bucket list.
As the western horizon starts to turn a pastel pink moments before sunrise, Qwest Field again becomes an attractive scene. At least it did in my mind. I took many shots of this scene in varying light - including first sunlight on the stadium itself. However, I think the subtleness of this one makes it my favorite.

Panoramas of the city scape are also possible from here. The panorama below consists of three images stitched together for a fairly complete representation of this vantage. I wish I would have thought to take these images about 10 minutes earlier when the pink hue dominated the sky. Next time.

Dr. Jose Rizal Park is located on Beacon Hill, just off of Dearbon Street (the exit to take off I-5). The approach from the south is a little indirect due to one-way streets and freeway obstruction, but it is worth the effort! Check it out next time you are in the area!