RoozenGaarde: the mud

I'm glad I was wearing boots. The mud in the fields was particularly sticky.

I saw many children enjoying the puddles.

RoozenGaarde: the field

The bands of color in the field were very broad, generally 30 or more rows wide.

The fields were a distance from the display gardens.

The arrangement of the colors at times almost hurt my eyes.

Tulip Town

I was at Tulip Town on a rainy morning.
















A yellow among reds.

Tulip Town: the flags

Tulip Town: the field

The tulip field was a short walk from the display hall at Tulip Town.

Rather than a rainbow of colors, some of the field seemed to clash.

This has been an odd season. Some of the tulips were fully spent while others, shown here, had not even bloomed yet.

Tulip Town: the barn

I finally made it to the tulip fields in Skagit Valley.

I was a little disappointed in the color arrangement of the rows.

Bluff Trail Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve

The Bluff Trail is ... right along the bluff.

The views are stunning.

The Victoria Clipper on its way from Seattle to Victoria, BC.

The Bluff Trail has some elevation gain to it, from sea level to 260 ft. The entire loop is over five miles, some of it along the beach.

Ridge Trail Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve

The Ridge Trail is easily accessed from a parking lot at the Prairie Overlook near Coupeville on Whidbey Island.

The relatively flat trail offers stunning views of the prairie, the Olympics, shown here, the Cascades and Mt. Baker, covered in clouds on April 21.

The walk from the parking lot to the trail is about a quarter of a mile, very flat. The entire hike is easy and offers stunning views of mountains, prairie and ocean.

Isaac Ebey House and Blockhouse

Ebey arrived on Whidbey in 1850 and completed the house in 1856. The blockhouse is one of four that remain in the area today. This view of the historical buildings and the Olympics is just a short walk from the Prairie Overlook parking area near the Coupeville cemetery on Whidbey Island.

Spring

Penn Cove, Whidbey Island

The San de Fuca dock in Penn Cove, Whidbey Island. The Olympic Mountains are in the distance. April 21.

Tulips in Sunshine

Shooting toward the sun brings out some different features of tulips.

Mt. Rainier from Oak Harbor

Mt. Rainier was visible from Oak Harbor today, even though it is 90 miles away. I was at Flintstone Park on Oak Harbor Bay.

Spring on Whidbey Island

I was at Flintstone Park this afternoon on a beautiful spring day. A couple enjoyed the view of the Oak Harbor Marina and the Cascade Mountains. Others were jogging, walking dogs, and just enjoying the sunshine.

San de Fuca, Whidbey Island

The Olympic Mountains and San de Fuca, Whidbey Island.

Tulips in Rain

Ebey's Landing on Whidbey Island

Ebey's Landing is named for an early pioneer and is a wonderful place for day hikes along beach and prairie.

Easter View of Olympic Mountains

The Olympic Mountains from Oak Harbor Easter morning, April 16.

Pink Tulip

Easter Dawn from Whidbey Island

Dawn this morning from Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island. The Cascade Mountains are on the horizon. He is risen!

Larrabee State Park

This Washing state park on Chuckanut Drive has hiking along the beach with nice views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands.

Trains going by, up to 16 a day, including at night, would make camping there difficult.

Fort Casey Historical State Park

This view from near the park ranger office gives an idea of the role of Fort Casey on Whidbey Island. Along with forts on the Olympic Peninsula, Fort Casey was to protect Puget Sound from war ships. It has a great view of Admiralty Inlet. Built in the late 1800s, it was active until the 1940s.

Mt. Baker Dawn

April 11 from Oak Harbor.

Pink Tulip

April 11 Dawn

Finally, a good morning for dawn photos in Oak Harbor. It's been a dark and stormy few months!