Spencer Island

Spencer Island

Everett Wa.

(Spencer Island Butterfly) **This photo was accepted into the Washington State Photographer’s exhibition.**

Up until a few months ago I wasn’t even aware that Spencer Island existed. I must have driven by it hundreds of times while on I-5 or Hwy 2 and never knew that within the city of Everett existed a beautiful island inhabited by all kinds of birds and wildlife. Spencer Island is situated on the Snohomish River estuary. This is where the salt water from Port Gardner Bay and the freshwater from the Snohomish River meets. The first time I visited we took the trail that goes to the south of the island. I wasn’t too familiar yet with my whereabouts so I just chose this trail because I found the directions on a map. However, there are two ways to access Spencer Island. Both start primarily from the same area but this particular way (I’ll call it the south trail entrance) takes the long way around to the island. It was a nice walk and the Snohomish River is rushing past alot of the way. There were lots of waterfowl and we were able to see an Osprey flying to its nest. It’s about a 3 mile loop.

 

Old Sauk River Trail

Old Sauk River Trail

Darrington Wa.

Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest

 

It was 80 degrees, the mountains were out and the sky was blue. It was the perfect day for a hike. I found this hike in a book and decided it was ideal for our little group. It’s an easy 6 mile round trip trail, but you can turn around at any time. This was our friend’s first hike, so it was a good choice for her first hiking experience. Nothing strenuous and the length could be as long as we wanted.

 

 

Fisherman Sunrise

Sunrise on Lake Cassidy-Seattle Times

**My “Fisherman Sunrise” photo was chosen for publication in the Seattle Times for Thursday July 17th 2008 in the NW Weekend section and at Seattletimes.com.

This photo was taken at Lake Cassidy in Lake Stevens Wa. I will be posting more photos and information about this cute little lake in a few days.

 

Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls/Trail

Snoqualmie, Washington

                                                                                                                                              

I have been visiting Snoqualmie Falls since I moved here in 1989. The falls have always held a special place in my memory, and every time I go I am taken back to a time when all of the Pacific Northwest was new and exciting to me. I was 18 and my best friend and I would hike down the trail and race each other on the rocks to see who could get closer to the falls the quickest. I often wonder how we did that without ever falling. Such fond memories. My husband and I went on one of our first dates here as well.

 

Everett Herald “Cutest Dog Contest”

 

About 2 months ago I entered a photo I took of my Golden Retriever “Honey” into the Everett Herald’s “Cutest Dog” contest. I had forgotten that I entered the photo until I received a call a few days ago from the Herald informing me that I won first place. As the grand prize winner I will receive 4 tickets to an Everett Aqua Sox game on the 16th, which is “Bark in the Park” day. All visitors can bring their canaine if they so choose. As the winner I also get to throw out the first pitch accompanied by Honey. Of course I won’t be doing this so I recruited my 13 year old to to do the honors.

 

Rosario Beach

Rosario Beach                                                                                                                                             Fidalgo Island, near Deception Pass                                                                                                             

6/08

 

 

Last summer we went to Bowman Bay and hiked the Bowman Bay Lighthouse Point trail. A few weekends ago we decided to go to Rosario Beach since we didn’t really get a chance to actually see Rosario Beach when we hiked Bowman Bay. Rosario is just north of Bowman. In fact you can see Bowman Bay from the grassy clearing at Rosario Beach.

 

Skagit Valley Tulips.

Mount Vernon, Washington                                                                                                                           

May 2008

 

 

The Tulips of Skagit Valley are some of the best in the world. Every year people trek on up to Skagit to see the marvelous displays of multi-colored tulips. Fields upon fields of red, purple, yellow, white and a whole spectrum of colors as far as the eye can see.

 

 

San Juan Islands Fishing

June 2008                                                                                                                                                          

San Juan Islands Washington

 

 

When someone mentions the San Juan Islands you immediately think of Orca whales, pristine islands, great fishing, and of course the exciting journey getting to the islands though the Puget Sound. So when our good friends invited us on a fishing day trip to the islands a few weeks ago, I was more than excited.

 

Schmap!!

 

I recently found out that one of my older photos has been selected for inclusion in the newly released second edition of the Schmap Northwest Guide. (It was found through my Flickr  which I have been obsessed with lately). This photo was taken last October at Craven Farm while hunting for our Halloween pumpkins. I have a blog entry for the farm here, Craven Pumpkin Farm. My photo was selected for the Northwest Guide which can be found here, Schmap Northwest. I kinda wish they had selected one of my more favorite photos, but it is exciting nonetheless.

 

Extreme Low Tide. Edmonds Wa.

 

“Crawling Sun Starfish”

**This photo was chosen for “Seattle Times Reader Photo of the Week” and will be featured in the NW Weekend section of the Seattle times, and at seattletimes.com on Thursday May 29, 2008

 More legs than the Rockettes-Seattle Times

 

I love low tide. It’s one of my favorite activities here in Washington. I used to rush the kids to Mukilteo Beach everytime there was a really low tide, and now that they are older I think the enthusiasm has worn off. I, on the other hand, will cancel any and all plans just so I can experience the extreme low tides that come only a few times a year. During extreme low tides here the most amazing sea life is uncovered.