Wonderful Winter Weather at the Coast

January Sunset

We experienced a glorious evening last weekend at the coast when Mother Nature treated us to a spectacular sunset from Ft. Stevens State Park near Astoria, Oregon.
I thought this photo was worth featuring just to show you that not all the weather in the Pacific Northwest is inclement in winter!

Magical and Mystical

James Island - Olympic Peninsula

I was in the mood for a coastal photo this week, so I selected this shot from my archives. James Island is located at the mouth of the Quillayute River near La Push, Washington. At 160 feet in altitude, it was used in the past to spot whales by the Quillayute tribe; now it serves as a private burial ground. (I like the way the fog seems to magically float around the island in this scene.)

Autumn's Golden Glory

Glenwood, Washington

Although the season of autumn is sure to display an array of golden hues in the leaves on deciduous trees, the grasses on prairies around the country make their own golden glory. This field is in the small rural community of Glenwood,Washington.

A Bright Blue Autumn Sky

      Mt. St. Helens

This view of Mt. St. Helens is a common sight for travelers driving north from Portland, Oregon. Although I rarely stop and photograph it, I couldn't resist this weekend. The autumn sky was bright blue, and the weather was unseasonably warm for the Pacific Northwest...70 degrees!

Are You Missing the Grand Canyon?

    Grand Canyon Revisited

Due to the U.S. Government shutdown, the Grand Canyon National Park has been closed for nearly two weeks. For anyone out there who is missing the "grand ol' wonder of Mother Nature" I thought I'd post this photograph.

This shot was taken in late February last year; hence, the cliffs of the canyon are laced with a mid-winter snow.

The latest news on the re-opening of the Grand Canyon National Park is that the state of Arizona has decided to donate funds for its operation...finally!

A Common Sight in the Pacific Northwest

    Moody Brume

During the fall and winter months in the Pacific Northwest, this type of gray, mysterious day is a common sight.

The mist, or brume, that hung amidst the Cascade Range made this photo even more moody. And believe it or not, Mt. Hood is hidden behind the cloudy sky.

Autumn in the Pacific Northwest

  Changing Colors

Although the Pacific Northwest is known for its evergreen trees, we do have a lovely variety of deciduous trees as well.

This photo was taken in a rural area of Washington State from a roadside on the way to the Pacific Ocean. Don't you just love autumn?