These window sills - and window frames - have not been re-varnished since they were put in, leaving the wood grain exposed to view.
The left of one
The right of another
Years of exposure to the southern sun has dried out the springwood, leaving the summerwood proud. A low sun angle enhances the lines, texture, and waves of the wood grain.
From the age of the building and the color of the wood, it is possible that this wood is American chestnut.
The stairway allowing access from the ground level to the second level deck also allows egress from the interior upper floors of the building to the exterior ground level of the building. This bi-directional stairway is presented here as a relaxed view 3d stereograph.