Wet! Wet! Wet!

The Northwest is beautiful. We have high alpine areas, fields of mountain wild flowers, beautiful subalpine mountain lakes teaming with small brook trout, lots and lots of green and no shortage of wildlife.

Sometimes though....what makes those areas green and lush can also be hard to tolerate. I for one need to go to my happy place and dream of summer. We've reverted back to January around here and no one bothered to ask my opinion on the subject :). Hey... Al Gore... about that global warming....

From today:

We've had 12 May days where the temperature didn't reach 60 degrees. We have not had a "sunny" day (70% or more sunshine) since May 14. Overall, the average temperature in May was 2.7 degrees cooler than normal, making it the coolest May since 2002. Rainfall, as you would expect, was above normal; Seattle had 36% more rain than average this past month.

Little Darlin'

This morning my neighbor Suzanne called about a newborn fawn that she found in the road! She was worried because it was just laying there- alive and fine, but hours old and in the road. I called our local biologist and was told that we could move it, if needed, but that Mama was likely nearby. As I was talking to the biologist, the wobbly little spotted one, got up and moved to the safety of a tree stump. It's hard to tell the size from these photos, but he/she was only about 1 ft. long. I was able to snap a few shots before mama came looking for her calf. An hour later, they were both gone- mama and baby reunited- happy endings are simply the best! Isn't the baby precious?

Where's the SUN?

Our Lake

We've been enjoying the benefits of living so close to the lake. It's a haven for a stress break after a day of work and a welcome friend on a day off. They officially made the lake Catch-n-Release (only the birds can keep 'em)...and it's now going to be open year round. So when the snow starts flyin'..... (um...sure... don't think I'm that brave).

But despite a really cold and rainy start to spring. It's still great to bundle up and head out for a little while.

Life is so abundant around water! The lake is a great place to watch the osprey fish. They circle over a spot where they spy the unlucky trout, drop with a ferocious bomber-style free-fall out of the sky... then SPLASH! Suddenly, they are careening back to sky...wings flapping wildly with trout in giant talons. Also frequently seen in this game are the bald eagles who wait for the osprey to do all the work- then harass it until the fish hits the water or ends up eagle food. Hey... nobody said fishing was easy, right?

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I spy...with my little eye...an Osprey perched above. I don't have my D-SLR, only my point and shoot (a.k.a. "happy snapper"). I must kick over to see it closer.

There he sits...

Until.....!

There are big fish to be caught!

And sandwiches to be eaten...

I hope the meter-maid is on vacation...

And occasionally, we get some sun breaks. Such is spring in the Northwest.

Exciting night up here...

This just in from one of our neighbors up here. Spring is here and with it, lots of animal excitement. Glad to have our boy Summit to accompany me on walks.

Title:	Cougar Sighting
Body:	I spotted a large cougar in our front yard around 9 pm tonight. (Lot 23) There were also two other smaller animals nearby that I could not see clearly, but they seemed to be heading in the same direction as the cougar (possibly cubs?). The cougar ran across our front yard, then stopped in our driveway about 40 feet away from me and swished its long, dark tail.

Tonight...

This bear wandered on to our neighbors property right in front of our house. It's NOT Round Bear- this one is much bigger. Luckily- our neighbor was able to catch a shot with his camera. Yesterday this same bear went to our neighbors Rich & Julie and took a snooze in their yard- we think it's the same bear because of the cinnamon patch on it's right side. Thankfully, none of these bruins have caused any problems and are really beautiful to see. Nature is a masterpiece.

"wait, wait...let me explain!" "Clearly you've mistaken me for a different buck that ate your new cherry trees..."

See my beautiful new antlers?

Just a few images from my walk...

This sign always makes me giggle- I really love the stick figure- sadly, he's already lost his head.

So green it almost hurts...

As Trillium ages, it often turns color...making the forest undergrowth a rainbow in season..

"I see you... and yes, lady, yes...those are my eyeballs."

Playing with color spots...

Just a vision...

Round Bear Strikes Again!

Last night, Round Bear was spotted running across our driveway (a friend saw him, not us). This morning, at about 8:30 I happen to look out to saw Round Bear crossing from our neighbors yard over into ours. He was in no particular hurry, so I ran to get my camera...but, of course, Pup sensed my excitement and ran to the window. Two barks later, Round Bear was no where to be seen. He's a small bear and I suspect was a cub last year. Do you think he knows its garbage day? Thankfully, we hadn't put our can out yet!

Eagle Cam

My Mom recently shared this link with me and I just can't get enough. Click below and it will take you to a gorgeous Eagle Cam, complete with sound to watch the eaglet (his name is Pheonix) grow up. There is another egg in the nest, but it's my understanding that it didn't hatch. Baby Pheonix is getting bigger every day and it's so fun to watch him grow. Watching this is as therapeutic as it gets. I keep it running as I work on my computer and watch and listen through the day. Their calls are so beautiful.

There are many dangers to face for these birds- high wind, the first flight, intruders, etc.

Currently there is a gusty wind storm, which at the moment has the Mama hunkered over Pheonix. She's a good mama and knows just how to care for that little one. Sure hope the birdy carpenters built that nest to withstand those winds.

In case you are wondering, Hornby Island is near Nanimo on Vancouver Island in Canada (about 5 hours North of us).

Hope you enjoy this as much as we have! It's like having a seat in the nest.

http://www.hornbyeagles.com/webcam.htm

It doesn’t seem too terribly long along in my memory. If I weigh it by the events in my life since- then yes, a zillion light years have passed. But in my head I was a mature 6-year old enjoying living the easy life, playing with my doll collections and adoring the company of a doting Mom and Grandparents.

I remember my Mother having a dinner conversation one Sunday with my Sister and I (My Sister was 9) about Mt. St. Helens. She told us that this eruption was a really big deal and something that will make history right here in our lifetimes. I tried to wrap my little 6-year old brain around that concept.

I’d hear Mom on the phone with Grandma talking about the “big one”- will Seattle get hit? “Where do they predict the ash and mud flow to land?” It was background noise, but sinking in that something big with this volcano was about to happen. At the time, we lived in Bellingham, a smaller city in northern, WA near the Canadian border, but my dear Grandparents lived in Seattle. They were supposed to be safe, but there were many theories of what could happen. We were pretty far away from the blast area.

The mountain had been bulging and spitting for a month or more. Smaller eruptions had us captivated on a weekly basis- was this it? Was this it? Since we didn’t have a TV and no one had heard of the internet, we turned in every place in public possible- the radio, passing newspaper stands, in department stores and restaurants.

I remember the telecasts about the event- watching reporters on the flanks of the spitting mountain with old school microphones talking about how the whole area where they stood would be under thick ash and mud within days. Looking at the beautiful, snow-dotted volcano with a sparkling blue lake below- it was hard to imagine.

Harry Truman was a big deal to follow. He was an 83 year old, stubborn character who ran The Lodge at Mt. St. Helens which sat right on Spirit Lake. Despite mandatory evacuation orders, he simply refused to leave- claiming he would die if he LEFT his home. He’d lived peacefully with the mountain for 53 years and even scattered his wife’s ashes on the hilltops nearby. He was a nightly subject on TV and we all were worried, fascinated and in awe of his decision to stay. At 6 years old, I can remember being really concerned for him, but especially...his 6 cats.

It was Sunday morning on May 18th. Mom had to pick up a few things at a local grocer, so she packed us kids up and we headed in to a store called Fred Meyer. I happened to be walking alone by the televisions when I saw what froze me in my tracks. People had gathered and were watching what was the beginning of the mountains big eruption. It was quite a sight. I ran to find my Mom and Sister and remember telling them “it’s happening!!” We all stood in front of the TV department hoping that no one was left in the blast zone.

Harry Truman, his lodge and his 6 cats are now buried under 150 feet of mud and ash under a creepy, but properly named Spirit Lake. 57 people and thousands of animals died that day and still, 30 years later the area looks like the moon. There have been several sputters and spits since and the volcano is still considered active.

Happy 30th anniversary, St. Helens.

Bear again!

Guess who showed up as I was leaving to head into town? There by the side of the road, just down the street, was the same round bear as yesterday. I turned the car around, went back for the camera and Vil and we headed back down the road. Round Bear was still there, but ran the second our car came into view. Still no pictures, but glad he ran. He's small and probably young...in hindsight, Summit barking at him yesterday was a good thing.

WEIRD DAY!

Yesterday went down as Kingpin of the Yin-Yang of Days. Something great, something not so great, something great, something not so great. Because the great stuff that happened was so extrodinary, the bad stuff just couldn't compete. Overall- a fantastic, albeit at times frustrating day.

Started out the day with a project list- knocking a few household things off here and there- everything normal. Carried a bag of trash out to the garage- cut my leg on something sharp. Ouch. Score one for the bad day. Lost my cell phone- dug under the 3 car seats- finally found it! Was this day going to be horrible? Dropped some donations off at the senior center thrift store- everything normal.

High-tailed it to the farmers market before they closed. Got there just in time- whew! Bought potatoes from a produce vendor with a wide assortment of root veggies. Asked a question about flavor and the question was "eye-ball deferred" to the guy standing behind the seller. Turns out Thierry Rautureau- world famous chef and cooking radio host had stopped by to say "hi" to the vendor. Seriously, could have knocked me over with a feather when he started speaking. He didn't introduce himself, but I recognized his distinct french accent, so I picked his brain about truffles and we chatted for about 15 minutes. I'm a huge fan and listen to his cooking show often. Score one for the great day!

Went to Costco on a Saturday. The swarm of sample-hungry mobs played the banjo with my last nerve. Try to keep my smile. Loaded oversized everything in the truck- toilet paper plastic wrap explodes sending toilet paper shrapnel rolls sailing. Nice guy helps me collect my toilet paper as I turn 25 new shades of red. Don't you DARE win, bad day.

Next, head home with mind-noise about the rest of the errands. Nearly miss a medium size black bear standing by the side of the road in our neighborhood not far from our house. Backed the truck up and took another look. I stared, he stared, I dug for camera phone- dog barked, bear ran. Everything was round on this one- head, ears, face, and beautiful backside as he booked into the forest. Score one for the great day!

Get home excited to tell Vil- literally step out of the truck and get crapped on by a Tree Swallow. What are the odds? Score one for the bad day. Nasty. Vil hears about bear, then continues working on the house rock work trim, where he's been all day. Since I don't have skills to help, I decide to go fishing at the lake nearby.

Pack up the boat with limited day light, hussle to the boat ramp, unload the boat with the grace of a drunk sasquatch. Go to park the truck and realize I've forgotten my oars. Shoot!!! Back home again, get the oars- weird looks from Vil, still at the rock.. then turn back toward the lake. Stink eye from neighbors.. have to slow down on my drive. Finally get on the lake- catch 5 fish... 4 of the largest from that lake EVER.

Sit there enjoying the quiet evening and look up to see an eagle flying overhead. Eagle perches and calls out. The call echos along the ledge walls. Look up the wall- mountain goat is flirting with danger to enjoy some greens. Score= amazing day.

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My $5.00 flowers from the farmers market- aren't they beautiful?

Being the fisherman and photographer is tricky!

Dry Falls!

A fabulous fishing trip it was! Originally, we were scheduled to head over to Mazama- but at the last minute changed due to weather concerns. The truck headed for our long-lost stomping ground of central Washington's Dry Falls Lake. The lake area is really rich in natural history and amazing fossils- they even found a rhino fossil preserved here! Here's a link if you are interested in reading about it http://www.gonorthwest.com/washington/northeast/Dry_Falls.htm . It's fascinating country and really full of life. We marveled that it's not more of a tourist destination.

We missed having Laura along, but it was nice to give our friend Matt some new fly-fishing tips. We even squeezed in a sunset hike up to Steamboat Rock, which was a bonus to the trip. The weekend made for some lasting memories!

Dry Falls Fishing Trip from tkaye on Vimeo.

Was "BIG BEN" in our yard?

I saw this story on our local news and had a laugh. Could the turkey who was visiting us have been the famous "Big Ben" in this story- or a strange coincidence?

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/92920119.html

WIld Kingdom

It's been a strange spring. The hummingbirds are back, but not using the feeder much- instead preferring salmon berries. Way to make good natural choices, little ones! There have been 3 bear sightings as opposed to the 8 by this time last year, which means.... less snow in the mountains. I took my camera galavanting to see if I could find some shots to continue my portfolio and found a few. It's amazing what you can see and find if you are quiet & still and let nature sort of "find you".

I watched this hairy woodpecker working this spot for a while. At first I thought she was getting grubs, but then I wondered if she was making a nest?
Stumbled upon this track! Opossum? I'm on a mission to figure it out! Guesses are welcome!
Low and behold, as I walked up the old and rarely used trail near Rattlesnake, I spied my big, hairy friend. There he was- as agile as ever, enjoying his 'cliff-salad'.

Venus fly-trap? Nope...fern!
Won't be long before we can enjoy berries on our cereal again!


Andra- this one is for you! I managed to find this pileated woodpecker hanging out in the forest, but he would NOT look at me. He simply refused. Being shy was fine because the back of his head was still a vision.