Ferry Needing Upkeep

On a recent ferry ride from Clinton to Mukilteo I noticed the disrepair of the boat. There were also plenty of bird droppings on the windows and stains on the bulkheads. 

Colorful, perhaps, but not a good sign for the long term use of the ferry.

Whidbey Island Sunset

A recent sunset from Joseph Whidbey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island.

Full Moon

Ross Lake

Ross Lake from the highway view point along the North Cascades Highway.

Olympic Mountains from Whidbey Island

The Olympic Mountains from the west side of Whidbey Island.

Whidbey Island Sunset

This was a recent sunset at the Joseph Whidbey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island.

North Cascades Highway

I took these photos while heading west after having been to Washington Pass. I think the mountain views are better coming down the west side than going up. If you have never been to Washington Pass on SR20, you are missing one of America's most scenic highways.

Bicycling the North Cascades Highway

This fellow made it up the west side of the North Cascades Highway to Washington Pass (elevation 5,477 feet) by two pm. What a challenge!

Gorge Creek Bridge

One of my favorite stops along the North Cascades Highway is the bridge over Gorge Creek. I love to walk over the creek on the grating. This view is looking straight down to the creek. 

North Cascades Highway

These are photos I took May 15 as we headed east on the North Cascades Highway, on our way to Washington Pass.

Waterfall on North Cascades Highway

There are several waterfalls along the North Cascades Highway (SR 20). This one is just past Gorge Creek, right across from a handy parking lot. I made this hand held shot with a shutter speed of 1/40 of a second to get a little silkiness to the water flow.  

Gray Jay at Washington Pass

Smith Island Dusk

This is a recent view of Smith Island and its beacon from the west side of Whidbey Island.

Clinton Mukilteo Ferry

One of the ferries on the Clinton Mukilteo run is seen against the backdrop of Everett and the Cascade Mountains.

North Cascades Highway in Spring

I had never been to Washington Pass soon after SR20 opened (May 9) so May 15 we drove to it. While the road was clear, there was plenty of snow along the side. Washington Pass, shown here, is at 5,476 feet.

Rainy Pass, shown below, is at 4,855 feet.

As the last photo shows, at this time of the year, the facilities are limited!

May 14 Sunset

Many were out at Joseph Whidbey State Park to catch the sunset at the end of a warm day.

May 14 Moonrise

I was on the west side of Oak Harbor to catch the full moon rising over Maylor's Point.

Olympic Mountains from Oak Harbor

These two photos show the Olympic Mountains from the east side of Oak Harbor, May 12. In the foreground are Garry Oaks for which the town was named.

This view is from the entrance to the Sno-Isle Library parking lot. How can anyone get any reading done with a view like this?

Oak Harbor Skyline

Thundercloud over Vancouver Island

This was a recent view from the west side of Whidbey Island.

Victoria Clipper

The Victoria Clipper motors north with the Olympic Mountains as a backdrop.

Misty Rural Morning

Sunset Fun

Girls had fun on Sunset Beach at the end of a warm day. The sun is setting over Vancouver Island.

San Juan Dusk

North Cascades from Oak Harbor

The North Cascades still have their winter snow pack in this recent photo, taken on the west side of Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island.

Oak Harbor

The clouds parted over Oak Harbor on May 5. In the rain shadow from the Olympic Mountains, Oak Harbor has an annual rainfall much less than the surrounding areas.

Salish Sea Sunset

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        This is a recent sunset from Ft. Ebey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island. The sun is setting over Vancouver Island.

Two Lights to Guide in the Night

                                                                                                                                    The lighthouse on Smith Island, west of Whidbey Island, and the crescent moon will guide ships in the night.

Last Tulip of the Season

Moon and Magnolia

A spring view of the moon through a fully blooming magnolia.

Olympics from Oak Harbor

This was the view yesterday from the Sno-Isle Library parking lot in Oak Harbor. The trees in the foreground are Garry Oaks, for which the town was named. In the distance are the Olympic Mountains.