Winter Wonderland

Salmon Creek Sunrise

Mt. Hood in the background.

A Good Book

 Looks like the footbridge across Catherine Creek is just wide enough to cross without even looking up from the book you're reading...if you are one of those people who always brings a book on a hike.

At Memaloose

Wow, is Memaloose Hills in peak bloom right now! The light was so pretty this morning, slightly hazy which softens the sunny spots a bit, and hardly anyone on the trail in the early morning too. I came midday earlier in the week with my daughter and it was so crowded we could barely squeeze into a parking spot along the road. The only downside on this picture perfect morning was that my camera battery died just after I took this shot, and I was still heading out at this point. It really caught me off guard, as though I forgot that there was even such a thing as a camera battery! I contemplated driving around for a while and charging it in the car, but I had lots more to do and I didn't think that hazy light would last much longer anyway. 

Columbia Springs

 Trees budding, ground cover growing, and moss still glowing from all the rain,at Columbia Springs Nature Center. This area is mainly an environmental education center, and in fact during my visit a school bus was parked in the lot and students were collecting pond samples to analyze. I attended a workshop here last year on foraging, and I've meant to come back before now to explore the trails. It turns out there aren't many trails to explore, and my young puppy, Hazel, was not satisfied for exercise by the time we had given the center a good looking over. I did bring my scissors and gloves to collect nettle, but none to be found. The tiny ferns growing on the moss covered trees are edible though. Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) if you're interested.

Show Field

Some of the tulip varieties in the show field at the Holland America Bulb Farm 

in Woodland, Washington. 

Sunrise Oak

Beautiful oak tree along the edge of the marshy fields that run along the bend of the Columbia River. I came down to this area around sunrise looking for cranes. There were lots last week when Hazel and I were walking along the shoreline, but I couldn't find a one this morning. I guess they have probably moved on to their next stop to the north. Even though no cranes were sighted, it was a beautiful morning with a weak sunlight and low-slung fog hovering around in patches. The start of a pretty day.

In a Clearing

A little farm along the edge of the trail,

and a nice cheery red shed,

standing out in the fresh snow.

A Bright Snowy Day

On the trail in Brush Prairie. 

Calm, 31 degrees, and 2" of snow. 

Perfect for an early morning walk in the woods.

Enchanted Forest

Looking for Whales

Ostensibly we want to the coast for whale-watching.
I heard there was a huge whale migration passing by the coast this week, 20,000+
Yet somehow we ended up on the beach and not a high ground lookout spot.
So I did my usual thing. :)
I like to imagine there are a few whales breaching off in the distance behind the waves.

Happy New Year!