Evening Sun Through Smoke

The evening sun filtered through forest fire smoke August 20.

Fir Cones

Smoke Filled View

Smoke has descended on Whidbey Island. I was a little over a mile away from Maylor's Point this morning to catch this view. Oak Harbor Bay did not have a ripple. Though it was after sunrise, the sun had not yet shown itself.

Smoke Filled Sunrise

The sun finally became visible about 40 minutes after the official sunrise. Smoke from forest fires in BC and Washington have made the air quality unhealthy in Oak Harbor.

Up Close

I was visiting a farm near Maple Falls last week and met some friendly animals.

Morning Walk

A view from our morning walks near Silver Lake last week.

Serenity

A peaceful afternoon on Silver Lake, east of Bellingham.

Exercise in Friendhsip

We friends from high school (OHHS grads, glass of '66) get together a couple of times a year. One afternoon we thought we were just doing some paint by number work on 8X8 canvas squares. Little did we know it was actually an exercise in cooperation and friendship.

We had fun mixing acrylics to exactly match the provided color swatches. We were amazed at the end product. While each square had little impact, combined they were beautiful. And, surprise! Our group facilitator had printed a great quote about friendship on the back of each canvas.

Nooksack Falls

The North Fork of the Nooksack River tumbles down 88 feet into a deep canyon. The falls are just off the Mount Baker Highway and the viewpoint is only a few hundred feet from the parking lot.

There is a nice view of the river from a bridge next to the parking lot. I was amazed at the water flow so late in the summer.

Picture Lake Path

There is a nice level path around Picture Lake (Mt. Baker ski area). When you get to the east side you have a nice view west toward Mt. Herman. 

Mt. Shuksan and Picture Lake

Mt. Shuksan reflected in Picture Lake last week. This view is from just below the Mt. Baker ski area. The morning light was not the best for a photo to the east and smoke made the mountain hazy.

Mt. Shuksan from Artist Point

Mt. Shuksan is to the east of Mt. Baker and the smoke from fires made it a bit hazy.

Mt. Baker Ski Area

The view to the north from a trail at Artist Point. In the distance is the ski area with Canadian mountains beyond.

Mt. Baker from Artist Point

A few photos along the short loop trail from the Artist Point parking lot.

The trail is an easy one, paved to a wonderful viewing spot.

And, if you don't feel like hiking even a short distance, there is a great view of the mountain from the parking lot.

The Twins from Wickersham

The North and South Twins and the top of Mt. Baker to the north, from Wickersham on Highway 9, August 7.

Snails

Arachnid Hotels