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Category Archives: Harts Pass

A Few Sights from Harts Pass

Recently, the girls and I spent eight days volunteering at Harts Pass. The weather was pretty good but the bugs were unbearable. Also, there were many visitors so I was busy most of the time. The bugs made it nearly impossible to do photography or to do much birding. We made the best of it and here are a few images from our time up there. The bird in the rocks appears to be the western Arctic subspecies of the Horned Lark. But I could be wrong. As for the grouse, she’s probably a Sooty but maybe a Dusky? The hoary marmots were a long ways away and after sunset so not the best quality images.

Another Week in the Mountains

Willow and I spent five days at Harts Pass recently. We had some weather, rain for part of three days, some frosty mornings, fog and lots of sunshine and blue skies. Almost had it all. Lots of people to talk to but we also had some time to get out for walks. Not enough for either of us but sometimes that’s how it goes. Sky stayed home with Ken and had a relaxing time.

Fall colors were just beginning with the huckleberry bushes changed to brilliant red. The berries were still yummy and numerous. I ended most of my walks with stained fingers. Willow helped herself to a few too. The Campanula (bluebells) were still blooming, here and there, and pearly everlasating was living up to its name. The cotton grass clung to its seedheads. The one remaining (not a vernal as I thought earlier in the year) pond still had some tadpoles and tiny frogs too. Some tadpoles had grown legs. I don’t know what kind of frog or toad these might be. Seems like kind of late in the year to be turning into frogs.

Sights from the Mountains

A few more sights and fun stuff. A bird, a bug, ungulates, dogs and interesting scenes.

Mountain Views

The girls and I spent a week in the North Cascades recently. It started out chilly with some rain and then it gradually warmed up. Good news about being chilly is that the mosquitoes were not bad. By the end of the week, they were more than annoying. I heard they were much worse this week. Oh well. Most of the trails were still snow-covered but by the end of the week, they were in good shape for walking without spikes. Meadows were already unbelievably green and full of wildflowers.

Sunset Walk

One of the evenings at Harts Pass, the girls and I enjoyed a walk to the lookout.