Tag: photography
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New bird at the feeder
When you daily monitor your bird feeders you get to know what birds frequent it. You can recognize a new bird quite easily. It’s the color, shape, and size. For the last couple of days I’ve noticed a bird smaller than a robin and bigger than a nuthatch or chickadee. It is also sleeker than…
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Get your kicks on route 66 with al childs
route 66 turns 100 years old this year. The road runs from chicago to santa monica’s pier. it cuts through oklahoma and they know it and celebrate it. we’ve heard of a get-to-gether in tulsa, oklahoma may 30 of old classic cars. they will attempt to set a guiness book of world records during this…
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Daily Abstract: waterfowl, fly fisherman
January 17, 2026 – Is this winter? Cloudless blue skies in January? There have been years where we’ve had overcast and cold for months on end, nine months with little breaks. Imagine, no sun. This last summer was extended, fall was an extension of that, and now this winter is mild. It is chilly. When…
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A rare variation of a common bird
I’m studying the red-breasted Nuthatch. However, all I see is the dark-eyed junco. The junco is a common bird at the feeder. No two are alike. Some are about as big as a robin, some small and delicate. they love the feeder and the seeds that fall on the ground. They spend equal time between…
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The raucous Steller’s Jay comes out of the woods
The Steller’s Jay is a bird I associate with Yosemite National Park. They are a constant sight in the valley campgrounds. I’ve seen them get into nasty fights over food. Despite having a bad disposition, I’ve always thought they were beautiful with their black heads contrasted with a blue body. They style quite a hairdo.…
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Bird bath repair. Sealing a leak and raising the water level. Dry pouring concrete.
I’m taking a discarded bird bath and putting it back into service. I bought it for someone as a gift. It returned to me but is useless. Birds never went to it. I surmise that it is too deep and wobbles due to its light weight. One more thing; it’s made of plastic. I’ve observed…
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Mexico 1989: An unexpected stay in Angahuan, gateway to Volcan de Paracutin
It was after arriving back from our trek to Volcan de Paracutin and the visit to the cathedral that survived the lava flow, we found ourselves stuck in the town of Angahuan. We dropped off the horses, paid the young guide, and went to the little market to wait for our ride back. Because we…
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Summer’s last road trip to Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands
For every day of rain there’s four following it that are hot. On Friday it poured more than the previous three months combined. We got over two inches, close to a record for an August 14 day. The rain was accompanied by lightening that sparked numerous fires in the eastern part of the state. As…
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From Grand Coulee to Leavenworth on Highway 2
One last glance back at Coulee Dam before we start back home. We go at our own pace becausenobody’s behind us pushing, pushing, pushing. However, we’ve got to make good time because I told Michele we’d be home by noon. With the dam behind us, we breeze through three towns whose existence is owed to…
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Returning to Hoodsport and Lake Cushman
Sunday after a long weekend. We are returning home after circling the Olympic Peninsula in aclockwise direction. If the peninsula were a clock, Hoodsport would be at 4:00. To say Hoodsport is a small town would be an overstatement. Thirty years ago, it was even tinier. Today, it has a winery bearing its name, a…
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Ballard Locks and saving of the anadromous. The what?
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the word “anadromous.” Not andromeda, but anadromous, meaning the salmon give birth in fresh water then live out their lives in salt water. At the end of their lives they return to fresh water. But if the whole canal is man-made then why would the salmon return to this…
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Snoqualmie Falls and the Salish Lodge
I’m still in denial that summer ended. I come from the land of endless summers. There is a point where summer actually ends. Signs start with the changing color of the leaves with an initial burst of color. This is only a precursor. Then a time of blandness and dull colors mark many of the…
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Palouse Falls, scablands, and Ellensburg
Another full travel day. This time on state route 26 heading west through the scablands in the central part of the state. It’s straight through with a couple of planned stops. In Colifax we hit a thrift store and take a look at the codger pole. The pole commemorates a football game played between rivals.…
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From Grand Coulee to Leavenworth on Highway 2
One last glance back at Coulee Dam before we start back home. We go at our own pace becausenobody’s behind us pushing, pushing, pushing. However, we’ve got to make good time because I told Michele we’d be home by noon. With the dam behind us, we breeze through three towns whose existence is owed to…
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NO TURNING BACK: RANDLE AND THE ROAD TO MT. ST. HELENS
No turning back. Though the thought crossed my mind between the snow and the noro virus sweeping through the family. On this trip we headed south to Mt. Rainier and then east to a small town called Randle, the gateway to Mt. St. Helens. When the mountain blew up on May 18, 1980, it was…
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HIBULB LOOKOUT
With time between appointments I happened upon Hibulb Lookout in Everett. This is a spot that overlooks the mouth of the Snohomish River. With just 2.25 acres, the layout is simple. Vehicles park facing northwest with a clear view of the water below. Land forms and water channels appear in every direction. In the distance…