Washington Wandering

Fox on the Trail - Judith Sparhawk

Yesterday I posted the trail on San Juan Island in Washington State, and spoke of how I always want to go "just around the next bend" in the trail because of what I might find there. This is an example of that--around the bend in the trail, here was this red fox walking up hill on the same trail. As I came around the bend, at first he didn't see me, he just stood and surveyed his kingdom. Then, of course, he noticed me, but not before I got some pics of him! I love seeing wild creatures in their own world... 9/23/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

View from Cape Flattery

View of the beautiful coast along the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington. The sun came out after the rain, and turned the water very blue.

Here Comes the Fox

The fox walked right toward me, locking eyes, before she turned away and disappeared into the trees.

Tatoosh Island Lighthouse

This version of the lighthouse was processed in Topaz, giving it a painterly effect.

Lighthouse on Tatoosh Island

Tatoosh Island is across the strait from Cape Flattery, the northwest point of Washington and of the 48 contiguous states.

Nesting Canada Geese

This pair of Canada Geese were nesting on a small island in a slough at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. This photo shows the female turning her eggs in the nest, with the male standing guard. After, she settled down over the eggs to continue incubating them.

Racoon Stare

This racoon was seen at Point Defiance Park, near Tacoma. He went up to the car in front of me and stood up, begging. Clearly he had been fed before, despite signs to the contrary. This shot shows him headed right at me, hoping for a hand out. Needless to say, I didn't feed him either.

The Goose Family

This family of Canada Geese was feeding in the grass along side the slough. Dad was keeping an eye on the goslings as they wandered in the grass.

Fox on the Path

Yet another fox photo. I was so excited to see the fox, I went overboard with the pics. Don't worry, I won't show them ALL!

Port Townsend

My favorite view of the town of Port Townsend, as the ferry pulls away from the waterfront, showing the town, with the Olympic Mountains in the background.

Follow the Path

This was a small section of the path out to Cape Flattery, Washington. I liked the curve and the wood stepping stones.

The Barn Goose

For those of you that liked the goose-on-the-barn shot, this a more of a close-up. You can see the goose better, but lose the size perspective of the barn.

Off The Wall

While driving through downtown Tacoma, trying to find the freeway, I turned the corner and saw this beautiful mural on an exterior wall. I couldn't resist taking a quick shot of it.

Mossy Forest

This moss-covered tree trunk was typical of the old-growth forest I walked through at Cape Flattery, Olympic Peninsula, Washington.

Green Passages

This beautiful green path was in the Dungeness Recreation Area. I loved the color and the closeness of the path.

Dungeness Driftwood

The beach along the Dungeness Spit, part of the Dungeness National Recreation Area, has interesting driftwood. This is one of the pieces I liked.

Driftwood Dragon

This interesting piece of driftwood was on the beach of the Dungeness Spit, Sequim, Washington. Judith Sparhawk

Deception Pass

The bridge at Deception Pass is a popular place to stop, with the state park on both ends of the bridge.

Flowering Skunk Cabbage

Photographed in the Olympic Mountains, Washington.

Pt. Wilson Lighthouse

Lighthouse on Fort Worden, Port Townsend, Washington.

Inside View

This is the view from under the Deception Pass Bridge. I liked the pattern of all the many bridge structures. Washington State.

Huricane Ridge

A view from Heart 'O the Hills Highway going up toward Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains out of Port Angeles, Washington. Despite some blue sky above, it was snowing in the upper peaks.

Tatoosh Island

Tatoosh Island is about 1/2 mile from Cape Flattery, the most northwest point of the contiguous 48 states. It is a nesting site for seabirds, and has a lighthouse. Cape Flattery is part of the Makah Indian Reservation.

Olympic Peninsula Peaks

This view was from the highway up to Hurricane Ridge, in the Olympic Mountains, Washington.

The Old Barns

Two barns are at Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. They were a different style of barn than I've seen before. Nisqually is near Olympia, Washington.

Goose on a Barn

This old barn was one of two on the grounds of Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Swallows were nesting under the eves, Barn Owls supposedly roost inside, and this Canada Goose was sitting up top--a very useful barn!

Sunlight in the Forest

These pretty plants grow in water, and were found in Heart 'O the Hills Campground in the Olympic Mountains out of Port Angeles, Washington. The real name of this plant is Skunk Cabbage, not anywhere near pretty enough a name!

Point Wilson Lighthouse

This lighthouse is on old Fort Worden, no longer a military base, and which is now a park in Port Townsend. The lighthouse was built in 1919.

Full Horsetails

This image shows the horsetails , fully open, and not yet in bloom. San Juan Island, Washington.

Ferns & Horsetails

On San Juan Island, at English Camp, I found a lot of these interesting plants, which made e think of a type of Horsetail plant.

Horsetails

These interesting plants were on San Juan Island. This shows several stages of the plant growth.

Foxy Lady

This pretty fox showed up at the American Camp area of San Juan Island.

Trail Into the Green - Judith Sparhawk

I am always attracted to trails winding in nature. When I am out hiking, even if I'm running out of time or am ready to call it a day, I often want to go "just around the next bend", as I'm always sure there will be one more bird or one more photo op that I can't pass up! This trail was on San Juan Island, in the Puget Sound, Washington State. It is so green there, that for someone from a fairly arid climate like Southern California, I can't get enough of it, and in fact, feel almost as if I am breathing in green! 9/22/20 My website: www.sparhawkphotography.com

Green!

One of the things about Washington State that stands out to me is how green everything is. Coming from fairly arid southern California, I felt as if I was breathing green air.

Lime Kiln Lighthouse

This lighthouse on San Juan Island was built in 1919. This site is one of the best places to see Orcas Whales swim by. Alas, none while I was there this time.

The Old Fenceline

On San Juan Island there are long stretches of countryside with these wonderful old wood fences. They are covered with lichens and moss. Here the wildflowers added a touch of color.

Sailing on the Sound

This sailboat was braving the cold and windy weather in Puget Sound, while the rest of us were huddled inside the ferry!

island Fox

A vertical view of this curious fox.

Island Fox

This pretty fox was photographed on San Juan Island. He had just walked up this little hill and found me and my camera at the top.

Church at Port Townsend

This great old church is a landmark of the town of Port Townsend, Washington.

Isalnd View

One of the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound, Washington.

San Juan Islands

Passing one of the islands that make up the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound, Washington.

Black-tailed Deer

The native deer on the Olympic Peninsula and the San Juan Islands is the Black-tailed Deer. This one shows where she got this name.

Golden Crowned Sparrow

Photographed at Salt Creek Recreation Area, Olympic Peninsula, Washington.

Golden-Crowned Sparrow

Quite a flock of these sparrows was feeding on the grass at Salt Creek Recreation Area, near Sequim, Washington.

Harlequin Ducks

A pair of ducks photographed at Diamond Point, Discovery Bay, near Sequim, Washington.

Harlequins Three

These are three Harlequin Ducks photographed in Port Angeles, Washington.

Rhinocerous Auklet

This interesting-looking bird is related to puffins, and get its name from the little horn at the tip of its bill. Port Angeles, Washington.