In the eastern part of Okanogan County and the western part of Ferry County is a region referred to as the Okanogan Highlands. It is an area dotted with lakes and covered with forests and meadows and occasional high mountains. The lakes are a big attraction for birders and anglers and photographers.
We enjoyed lots of walks in the woods last week. The forest is dominated by Western Larch trees with a good mixture of other species as well. There has been a lot of rain this month and everything is green, green, green! There were fewer flowers than I remember seeing in past years – maybe because we were a little later – but it seems like there should have been more. A pond below the campground was just a big puddle when we arrived and overnight it grew into a good-sized pond where Sky could swim. As the week went by, it shrank. Its water is overflow from the lake. We walked to see the Big Trees – two 900-year-old western larches that were spared when the area was logged back in the 1960’s.
We went camping last week. We went to our favorite little campground on a lake in the Okanogan Highlands, almost exactly one hundred miles from here but still in the same county. It was lovely. We walked in the woods, paddled on the lake, played dog games and ate good food. We saw some friends, listened to loons, Ken went fishing, and we generally relaxed. I tried some night photography but the nights are so short and I needed some sleep so I did not succeed.
I highly recommend a good campout.
I may have stayed up too late the night before last. I had read about noctilucent clouds and went outside to look for them. It seemed like something I could see and not stay up TOO late. I don’t think I saw any but it was a lovely end to the daylight with long lingering dusk light over Winthrop. Also, some strange rosy light over Mount Robinson, north-north-west of here. It didn’t last long and I can’t tell you what caused it. I have lots to learn.
The weather forecast said partly to mostly cloudy so I was surprised when the clouds completely went away and the stars began to show themselves. I think this is the first time in two months when there was no moonlight and no clouds and I could see the core of the Milky Way! I was surprised by the weather. I did have enough camera gear to make some images of the night sky. I wished I had a more accurate forecast so I could have tried some new stuff I am trying to learn. It is always mesmerizing to watch the pageant of stars as they flow across the night sky, changing with each passing minute.
I am lucky to live in a place where I can walk out my door and see the stars. However, I am looking forward to going other places to practice photographing the night sky.
The girls and I had a windy walk yesterday. I know, I keep complaining about the weather but this wind gets on my nerves. Some days though, I just need to make myself go out in it. It did not take away from the beauty of the late spring flowers and the green, green leaves. It did make them harder to photograph. Wild roses are at the peak of flowering and filled the air with vibrant scent.
My Everyday Photos 