Pollinating Bees

The bees love the lavender.

Inland Sunset

There are times when a beautiful sunset sneaks up on me and I have not made it out to the beach. Even the view from inland can be awesome.

Rain

After what seems like such a dry summer, ah, rain. We western Washingtonians get a little crazy if we don't have a good dose of it from time to time.

Mt. Shuksan

It has been said that Mt. Shuksan is the most photographed mountain in the world. With this view, taken near the Mt. Baker ski area, I can see why.

Wildflower Mix

These were a couple of the flowers included in a wildflower mix of seeds. They do a good job of reseeding and coming up again each year.

Molting Grasshopper?

I caught an image of this grasshopper next to a hose. My zoologist friend thinks it might be molting. I'm used to seeing grasshoppers in shades of brown around here. Does this one look as odd to you as it does to me?

Sailing by Mussel Rafts

Something a photographer is always thinking about is composition and format. Horizontal or vertical? Which looks best? This view was taken from Madrona Way on Whidbey Island. The mussel rafts are in Penn Cove. Mt. Baker is in the distance.

Leaves on Gravel

I am always looking for interesting lines and shapes on my walk and saw this scene on a gravel driveway.

Dancing Clouds

August Moonrise

There was a band of clouds on the horizon for the full moon rise last night. The Cascade Mountains are just visible with Oak Harbor in the foreground.

Admiralty Head Lighthouse, Fort Casey State Park

Olympic Mountains and Oak Harbor Bay

Mint Blossom

Deception Pass boat tour, part 4

The boat made stops so we could see the local critters, like these Great Blue Heron.

We also saw harbor seals.

What we didn't see but so many fishermen hoped were there - salmon. These hopeful fishermen are on North Beach, the same beach upon which Joseph Whidbey camped.

Deception Pass boat tour, part 3

The Deception Pass Bridge was completed in the summer of 1935.

The smaller span is 511 feet long, connecting Pass Island with Fidalgo Island. The tidal flow through Canoe Pass is less dangerous than the larger Deception Pass but it is a blind corner and is not used by power boats. It received its name from Indians using it in their canoes.

The larger span is 921 feet long, connecting Pass Island and Whidbey Island. Deception Pass is known for its turbulent tidal flow. During peak tidal flow, treacherous whirlpools can be seen from the bridge. 

Deception Pass boat tour, part 2

An interesting stop on the boat tour is to look at the remains of a state prison camp on the cliffs of Fidalgo Island. The prison camp was in operation from 1910 t0 1914. About 40 prisoners on an honors release program from the Walla Walla prison were housed nearby and worked the quarry. The quarried rock was taken by barge to be used on the Seattle waterfront.




The quarry was dismantled in 1924 and the lumber used to form ferry slips and cottages. The cave was tempting to adventurers and after a fatal fall, the entrance was barred.

This photo was shown on the tour, giving an idea of the quarry in operation. The quarry was long before the Deception Pass bridge was built in the 1930s. You can find out more information on the prison quarry here.

Deception Pass boat tour, part 1

I recently went on the hour long Deception Pass Tours boat trip. Deception Pass State Park is the most visited state park in Washington. Some three million vehicles go over the bridge each year, traveling between Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands.

It is also a popular spot for fishing. As we approached the bridge, we could see fishing boats in "the hole," a deep water area where salmon (hopefully) congregate. Our tour guide said the every-other-year run of humpies would be starting soon.

The tour begins at Cornet Bay at the north end of Whidbey Island. More photos tomorrow.

Snail on the Window

Did you ever wonder what the underside of a snail looked like? This one made it all the way up to a bedroom window.

The next day his cousin showed up.

Garlic going to seed

August Sunset

This was the view from Joseph Whidbey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island last night, shortly after the sun set behind Vancouver Island.

Sunflower

Rainy Pass, North Cascades Highway

Washington Pass Overlook, North Cascades Highway

The Washington Pass Overlook is about five miles east of Rainy Pass. This view shows Highway 20 as it approaches the pass from the east.

To the south are Liberty Bell Mountain (right) and the Early Winter Spires (left).

Notice the cars on the road cut at the lower third of the photo, to the left. They give you an idea of the size of this view.

And the view to the northeast at the Overlook.

North Cascades Highway Road Views

All of these photos were taken while I was standing next to my automobile. Even if you never got out of yours, the views along this highway are awesome. No wonder the North Cascades are called "The Little Alps."

Diablo Dam Overlook, North Cascades Highway

This is the view of Diablo Lake from the highway overlook.

There are views in all directions.

This little waterfall along the highway is near the Gorge Dam Overlook.

No matter where you are on the North Cascade Highway, the views are awesome.

Canna Durban Leaves

I spotted these backlit leaves on my early morning walk.

I liked the interplay of color and light.