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Sunset on the Beach

We got away from home for a little while just as winter was coming to an end and spring was beginning, otherwise known as mud season. I have several hundred images to edit and sort and this is my favorite batch by far. There will be more blog posts from this wonderful vacation in the days to come.

Our trip took us around the top of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, starting at Port Angeles, then down to LaPush, a brief stop in Westport and then to our final destination near Pacific Beach. We stayed at a wonderful place called the Sandpiper – a small resort built right behind the narrow strip of dunes and against the cliff. It would not be the place to be during a tsunami. We were blessed with good weather and the first night we had a marvelous sunset! One of the best I’ve ever experienced. Last year in Florida we learned to go out to the beach and toast the sunset so we carried on with that marvelous tradition on the west coast.

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The First Day of Spring

The calendar says today is the first day of Spring. Yesterday I saw my first yellowbell, a delicate tiny wildflower. This morning we awoke to three inches of new snow and it only just quit snowing an hour or so ago. Despite the conditions, Luna and I had our regular morning walk. Even she seemed less than enthused about the weather. Today’s snow was not unexpected. Now the sun is shining and soon this snow will be gone and the wildflowers can reappear.

 

I should advertise for Bogs boots.

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It’s been a while since Luna has been featured.

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Visibility was poor due to heavy snowfall

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Aspens were sheltering Mourning Doves

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A mouse or a vole hole in the snow

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She’s got the cute thing going

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Some springs, that depression in front of the aspens holds water

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These deer were none too happy about the snow

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I expect these daffodils will still bloom

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Early Spring Signs

More signs of Spring each day now. Yesterday the dog and I went for a steep walk above the bottom of Pipestone Canyon. I had thought about walking up the canyon but the access road is still muddy and snowy in places. Best not to even try to drive on those conditions. The bird highlight was a couple of Dusky Grouse. They should be displaying soon. Western Meadowlarks sang as we walked. It was overcast and a little chilly.

 

The view looking up towards Pipestone Canyon.

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A nest from last year high in an old bitterbrush. I had to hold the camera above my head to get pictures.

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The name of this flower has slipped my memory. Hopefully it will return soon.

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And I don’t know this tiny pink bud emerging from the crusty soil.

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Balsamroot buds

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And the first wildflowers – bluebells.

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Funny, I haven’t seen any buttercups yet.

Letting Go

Winter is letting go very quickly. Signs of Spring are everywhere. I put away all my ski stuff and got out a hummingbird feeder. Even the light is different. Where it is no longer reflecting off of snow it has a warmer quality. The ice on Patterson Lake has retreated from the shore leaving behind leaves and other remnants of last year.

 

Bubbles frozen in ice at the edge

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Melted snow reveals a crayfish shell

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Tree pollen swirls with meltwater and last year’s leaves

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This one remains firmly in the ice. But not for long.

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Another Bird

Two birding posts in a row? I don’t think this is a serious trend.

This sweet Downy Woodpecker was very cooperative and allowed me to get close enough to make images of him with my small camera. He would get one sunflower seed at a time out of the feeder and then carefully wedge it into a crack in the snag, saving it for a future meal. The Hairy Woodpeckers do the same thing.

 

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