Smith Island

The lighthouse on Smith Island shows the way for ships on the Salish Sea. I was on the west side of Whidbey Island at Sunset Beach.

January Sunset

The sunset last night from Sunset beach on the west side of Whidbey Island.

The Birds and I

The birds and I were at Flintstone Park on Oak Harbor Bay before sunrise on January 21.

Mt. Rainier from Fort Ebey State Park

Contrails form a patchwork in this early morning view of Mt. Rainier from Ft. Ebey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island, January 21.

Olympic Mountains

I was near the entrance to Joseph Whidbey State Park as the Olympics caught the sun on the frosty morning of January 21.

Spring in January

The Snow Drops are already in full bloom. Of course, the 55 degree weather may have something to do with it.

It won't be long...hyacinth and tulips are on their way.

Whatcom Falls

Whatcom Falls is a very popular park in Bellingham. The walk to the falls is just a few hundred feet from the parking lot and well worth it. The falls were roaring on Christmas Day as we had recently seen some heavy rain.

Mt. Baker

Mt. Baker from West Beach Road on Whidbey Island, the frosty morning of January 21.

Recluse or Bird in Exile

I was on a walk at Windjammer Park when I noticed this tree and the lone bird in it. When I followed his gaze,

I wondered if he was a recluse or a bird in exile.

Dawn at Windjammer Park

Dawn, January 21, Windjammer Park, Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island.

Changing Cascade Dawn

These two photos from mid-November show how quickly the colors change. They were taken about five minutes apart.

I was on the west side of Oak Harbor, looking across Oak Harbor Bay and Marina to the North Cascades.

Space Needle View

Watching the Seahawks beat the Packers at Century Link inspired me to finally post this view from the Space Needle, taken in August.

Olympic Sunrise

The Olympics catch the morning sun, as does Scenic Heights. I was at the Sno-Isle Library on the east side of Oak Harbor in mid-December.

Winter Leaves

When I saw these leaves on a predawn walk down Whidbey Avenue, I knew I had to return and capture the image.

Oak Harbor

Sometimes the colors are not spectacular, but I still love the view of the Cascades near sunset, mid-December.

Spider Web Beauty

These two close-up photos of a spider web on a foggy morning revealed shapes and colors that surprised me.

Deception Pass Sunset

The view from the Deception Pass Bridge yesterday as we returned from the mainland.

Flying from NAS Whidbey

I can only imagine the beauty pilots must see when they do their training flights from NAS Whidbey.

Mt. Rainier

High clouds made Mt. Rainier stand out in this view from Oak Harbor on January 6. 

Olympic Dawn

The Olympic Mountains catch the morning sun at the end of December. I was on West Beach Road on the west side of Whidbey Island.

Fragrance Lake in the Clouds

Some friends and I hiked up to Fragrance Lake on Chuckanut Mountain yesterday. We parked at the ranger station parking lot and hiked the Fragrance Lake Road. 

We decided to take the road as it would be less muddy than the shorter but steeper trail beginning across from the entrance to Larabee State Park. This trail is a little over two miles long with an elevation gain of 950 feet.

It was a cloudy day and drizzling, but, when in the Pacific Northwest, you have to hike no matter the weather. We met many other hikers, cross country runners and bikers along the way.

There is a beautiful waterfall on this trail.

When we got to the lake, we took the trail around it, stopping for lunch.

The trails are well maintained.

There are some great geological features along the lake trail.

Yes, it was wet, but beautiful in its own way.

Contemplating Clouds

This bird and I were contemplating the clouds over Oak Harbor Bay.

Oak Harbor Marina

The Oak Harbor Marina and the North Cascades at dusk a few days ago. I was at Flintstone Park on Oak Harbor Bay.

Trees

Trees on a foggy morning.

Mt. Rainier

Mt. Rainier catches the late afternoon light at the end of December. I was at Flintstone Park on Oak Harbor Bay.

Olympic Mountains

The Olympic Mountains appear much closer than they actually are in this morning December photo from a few years ago. I was at the entrance to the Joseph Whidbey State Park, on the west side of Whidbey Island.

Oak Harbor Vista

This was the scene at the end of December, 2014. Oak Harbor, Oak Harbor Bay, Oak Harbor Marina, NAS Whidbey (the "seaplane base"), and the North Cascade Mountains. I frequent this spot on the west side of Oak Harbor as it has been platted and may soon have houses obscuring the view.

Olympic Mountains Sunset

This was the last sunset of 2014 from the west side of Whidbey Island.

Mt. Baker Dusk

When I am at Sunset Beach taking photos of a sunset, I try to remember to turn around and catch Mt. Baker.

First Dawn of 2015

I was out before sunrise to catch the first light of 2015 on the Cascades and Rainier.

It was about 40 minutes before sunrise. The exposures on these photos are around two seconds.

I was on the west side of Oak Harbor, on Founder's Drive.

Last Sunset of 2014

The glow of the last sunset of 2014 is reflected in Swan Lake, near Sunset Beach on the west side of Whidbey Island. The Olympic Mountains are on the horizon.