A February Day In The Northwest

It is cold in the mountains in February but the warmth one feels looking at the beauty of the Cascade Mountains balances things out quite nicely. Skookum Falls tumbles 250 feet before emptying into the White River.

Let Me Be The First

I want to make the case for the first sign of Spring. The lowly Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), if you must know, is a large-leafed plant that grows in wet areas, especially near streams, ponds or marshes. This image was taken a year ago this week. The large leaves are yet to appear. What is for sure is that my claim is valid.

Whose Turf?

When in someone else's backyard remember to play by their rules. If you don't, you may regret it. In this case we gave the logging truck a wide margin of the road.

Magic Moment

When it comes right down to it, capturing magic moments of Katie's life are still the most rewarding images I take.

The Weight Of It All

I've had a good response to the Ice image I posted. I am asked, "how can ice on a tree bring down the tree". The ice storm was spectacular and quick. The falling ice/rain froze on contact. The trees didn't have a chance. Neither did us electricity using dwellers.

Just A Snack Before The Storm

This image was taken just as the snow storm was beginning. This wonderful expression of a "cattle", I don't know what gender it was, was trying to get just a little more grass before its fast.

A viewer commented, "this is the Highland Cow of Scotland".

Waiting Time Well Spent

The Skagit River was the location. I was looking for the Bald Eagles and while waiting I had lots of scenery to focus on. This scene represents a small part of the aggregate of features that give character to the river.

Is This Bird A Sandpiper?

This little bird was moving across a cattle field. It would dart a few steps, stop and seem to disappear. Then dart a few more steps. The bird was moving my way and finally got close enough for me to capture it's image. The photographer game requires lots of patience, lots.

Ice, Up Close

After the big snow storm the weather changed and we got ice rain. The rain froze on contact. Most of the power outages that followed were as a result of the ice coating the branches and the branches breaking off and taking down the power lines. The ice is beautiful though.

Did You Ever See A Group Of Tree Angels?

When I write my reaction to my images I usually express how the photo speaks to me. This lone collection of wintering trees has a certain angelic look about them. At least that is how I saw it.

A Snowy Still Life

Snowing in Western Washington means sledding. We went to Lake Wilderness for the sledding. Katie had a grand time. After a while I drifted off to explore the snow scape woods.

The Joy of Snow

Last Sunday was the day that Snow came to the Northwest. Snowed all day and we'll see how long the snow falls this week. The snow lasts just a few days a year so it is always received by my family with joy.

Bejeweled In Crystals

I was once again searching for eagles, it was very cold and I so enjoyed the hike but nothing was moving except me. I looked down and saw this ice crystal coated leaf. So delicate yet bejeweled like royalty.

At Least I Have Something To See . . .

Something to see indeed. I'm out looking for Bald Eagles, finding none, at least I have something to photograph.

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Always Watching

I never tire of watching the Bald Eagles. I would like a longer telephoto lens to capture their image though. When trying to photograph birds of any kind, there doesn't seem to be a lens long enough.

A Pillow That Can Walk and Talk

I call it wildlife training. If you practice photographing contained animals, then the wild ones get easier to capture. Digitally. Oh, and you knew I wrote "talk" figuratively, right.

If Only We Were Born As Swans

Swan Lake, the ballet, it's not. As a silhouette, it works.

More Harrier Hawk

The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge does indeed live up to it's name. I'll visit again soon. Maybe I'll see you there also.

So Close and Yet So Far

This Harrier Hawk was busy going about his daily hunting patterns. The visitor never knew how close he was. The outdoors can be that way.

I Know My Camera Not My Birds

So, if any of my blog viewers know the family name of this little bird please let me know. Use the comment section of my blog or e-mail me at james.shonka@yahoo.com
Thanks . . . . a viewer of my blog commented: it's a Gold-Crowned sparrow. Thanks for that.

Speaking of Solitude

This Mallard duck couple just wanted to get away. They went to long lengths to find their retreat.

A Wise Old Gull

He appeared to be a bird on a mission. Flying low to avoid detection. Focused on what he has to do.

The Delta Boardwalk

Think of it as a three mile round trip. The boardwalk weaves it's way across the delta, complete with observation tower, slough blind and viewing platforms. The tranquil walk also tends to lower one's blood pressure.

Nisqually Wetlands

The Nisqually Wildlife Refuge would normally be very difficult to travel through. The wetlands becomes the Nisqually delta, joining Puget Sound to the north. An engineering and ecological marvel has made traversing the delta possible. Tomorrows image will make what I'm writing about make sense.

Baited Bird

Sometimes you get more from baiting than you do from luck. This fellow fell right in my trap, bird seed that is.

Entering the Land of Nisqually

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuse is my focus this week. Located around the Nisqually river delta, it is home to hundreds of birds. As you enter the refuge, the wetlands begin to surround you. You travel via wooden boardwalks. Every day brings new surprises as attested by the many frequent visitors.

Katie's Wild Flower

Our youngest daughter, Katie, was given some wildflower seeds by her "Grandma JoAnn". The actual flowers don't look like this, I did some post production.

The Big Dozer

I'd remembered seeing this old dozer last summer. Today I decided to rediscover it. The closer I got to the dozer's setting the harder the rain came down. When I arrived, I put my special camera raincoat over the camera. Attached the camera to the tripod and out in the rain we went. I got soaked and from this image of the Big Bulldozer you can hardly tell it was raining. Go figure.

Narrow D.O.F. Test

I was doing some depth of field tests yesterday. Railroad tracks are great for this exercise. The sharp focused area, in the middle of the image indicates a narrow depth of field. Thought you should know.

Bringing In The New Year

I'm very excited about the TWENTYTWELVE year. Thrills are to be had. Bring it on!

With The Spirit Of An Eagle

This is one of my earlier Bald Eagle images. This eagle wanted to be in Show Biz, I'm sure. The eagles this last week just wanted to be left alone. (No Humans Allowed)