Lilac

Mt. Rainier

It is rare that Mt. Rainier is visible from Oak Harbor on a cloudy day, especially with such clarity. I was at Flintstone Park on Oak Harbor Bay earlier this year for this view.

Growler at Sunset

The Growler (upper right) had just taken off from NAS Whidbey when I was at Joseph Whidbey State Park to catch the sunset earlier this year. The jet was a contrast to the tug (lower left) slowly plodding along.

Migrating Bird

I have no idea what this bird is, at our sunflower feeders this week. I have done a little searching but have not been able to identify it.

I assume it is migrating as I have never seen it on Whidbey Island before.

Winter Cascades

A winter dawn view from near where I live on Whidbey Island.

"Horned" House Finch

I had to do a little research on this bird at our feeders yesterday. It seems House Finches that have just left the nest may retain some of their long downy juvenile feathers. I had thought we might have a devil finch on our hands.

Monster Barn

As I was driving to a hike in Skagit County, this barn reminded me of a gap-toothed monster. I had to turn around and face the beast with my trusty camera.

Flag

Another flower I see on my morning walk. Yes, we did have rain during the night.

Vancouver Island Sunset

A recent view from Whidbey Island of the setting sun. Vancouver Island is outlined to the left with a cloud bank to the right. Fog was beginning to form.

Illabot Creek Road

To get to the trailhead for Slide Lake, I took Forest Road 16, the Illabot Creek Road, for nearly 20 miles. Watching for potholes, the drive was almost an hour.

It was a hazy and humid day so the views of the Skagit River valley were muted.

The elevation gain over the 20 miles was over 2,500 feet. There were a couple of small waterfalls along the way.

Olympic Mountains

The Olympic Mountains from Fort Ebey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island.

Slide Lake Trail

Another hike I took over the last weekend was to Slide Lake, the only lake in the Glacier Peak Wilderness accessible by a maintained trail.

Right before you reach the lake you see a boulder field. Trail guides mention a beautiful blue pond here, as did a fisherman. He was dismayed to see the little bit of water there, from the low winter snow pack, I'm sure.

The hike goes through many boulder fields, such as these covered with moss. It was so quiet it seemed like I could hear birds from miles away.

Here is yet another boulder field.

The trail was narrow and sometimes hard to follow. There were times, as I went through patches of blueberry bushes, that it looked like a deer trail.

I had been warned by the fishermen I met at the trailhead that there were many windfalls and the trail might be difficult. There were many windfalls, most of which had been cut. There was one as I neared the lake that I just could not find a way over. It was overcast and the huge log was wet so I turned around, satisfied with a glimpse of the lake.

There were a few flowers but at 3,100 feet, more may be coming later. The longest part of this hike was getting to the trailhead, a nearly 20 mile drive on a forest road.

Stormy Sunset

The waves were crashing last night at West Beach. I did both vertical and horizontal compositions, trying to capture the scene. Fog was forming and blowing on shore, but it was quite high. The humidity has been high, making for a red sunset.

Boulder River Waterfall

I did a little hiking over the weekend. The Boulder River Trail is between Arlington and Darrington and the trailhead is just a few miles off SR 530. The waterfall is only a little over a mile up the trail. The trail itself starts out on an old railroad grade. It's a popular hike and I met many families with kids and dogs.

The river is visible periodically.

The trail is very well maintained.

After the waterfall are switchbacks and more views of the river.

There is a noted old growth tree at the first switchback.

There was supposed to be another waterfall about a half mile past the first one. I hiked another 0.6 miles and didn't see it. I did see many of the boulders that give the river its name.

There were lots of wildflowers too. 

Seattle Lunch

A view from the Big Wheel.

Poppy

Mt. Baker Dusk

A winter view from Oak Harbor.

Tulip Season Over

Salish Sea Sunset

A recent view from Joseph Whidbey State Park.

Rock Rose

I saw this blossom as I was on my morning walk. Thanks to the informative home owner, I could identify this unusual flower.

Foothills Glow

This was a recent morning view from Anacortes toward the Cascade foothills.

May Moonrise

The moon rose near Mt. Pilchuck as seen from Oak Harbor on May 3. There was haze on the horizon and the moon became clearly visible only when it was this far above the horizon.

Capturing the Sunset

I wasn't the only one at Joseph Whidbey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island last night capturing this ship as it motored north on the Salish Sea.

Towering Olympic Mountains

The Olympic Mountains tower over the homes on Sunset Beach on the west side of Whidbey Island earlier this year.

Sailing in Penn Cove

Boaters in Penn Cove have this view of Mt. Baker. Penn Cove is on the east side of Whidbey Island.

Purple Mountain Majesty

The North Cascades at dawn from Oak Harbor in November of 2014.

Olympic Mountains

I was at the Hastie Lake Road county park on the west side of Whidbey Island for this view.

Windjammer Moon

I was at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor last night to catch the full moon.

May Day

These photos from Whidbey Island on May Day reminded me of the traveling challenges on the Salish Sea.

Smith Island is on the horizon. I was at the aptly named Sunset Beach on the west side of Whidbey Island.