Twilight Crashes Back

La Push's southern beach appears to look like a scene from Twilight the movie.

US Coast Guard Surf Training

La Push image of a La Push Coast Guard boat doing surf rescue training.
Matt Hinton wrote me, "Very dramatic place in winter... And the scene of a tragedy a couple of years back. A sailboat made a distress call -- caught in high winds and

heavy seas a few miles north of La Push. The skipper of the Coast Guard lifeboat at La Push made a rash decision that he and his crew should go to the rescue. Their boat was wrecked almost immediately, overwhelmed by huge waves and destroyed on the rocks. Only one crewmember survived. The crew on the sailboat, meanwhile, were rescued by helicopter. Their boat ended up crammed deep in a narrow channel in the rocks, and created a huge fight over salvage rights."

Happy Holidays To All

The lights are hung, the halls are decked and soon the Cedar Creek Grist Mill will be covered with snow. Happy Holidays!

And We Chose The Gold Finch . . .

I spent so much time with this Bald eagle. I wanted to capture it flying away. He did eventually fly but he dropped behind the trees and I was on the wrong side at the right time. (yes, I know the Bald Eagle is our national bird). I was just saying.

Space Needle Photo-Art

Today is 'Black Friday'. Seattle stores were packed with early Christmas shoppers. I thought my blog's image should speak to this tradition.

Whimsical Scene

The room is extremely dark. The boat really seems to be floating on water. Bravo

There Are Other Hunters

This 'Heron', I'm not sure of it's species, was so intent in it's quest for fish, frogs or whatever. Fun to watch.

One Little Sandpiper

There we were at a lonely slough, one little sandpiper and I. The scattered driftwood bleached and dry was it's hunting ground that day. While I was there to photograph it scans me with a fearless eye, then returned to hunt for its food, as I continue on my way.

No Sweeping Scenes . . .

On a recent photo hike to Cedar River I found no sweeping scenes, no wildlife. The hike was relaxing and when I looked down at the autumn leaves resting on the forest floor I found my subject for the afternoon.

Diving Expert

This relatively small sea bird was quite the photographic challenge. So fast. It was so quick, and the dives were spectacular. This wasn't the only digital file I captured. I assure you of that.

The Gates To The Grist Mill

This image was taken of Cedar Creek just upstream from the Cedar Creek Grist Mill.

It's Against My Principles . . .

Generally I would agree with myself not to photograph seagulls, but this had "take the picture" written all over it. This gull had found the perfect perch and he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. So, I took the picture.

Lewis River Jewel

The river banks along the Lewis River near Lucia Falls are spell binding. They are so rich in visual splendor that I am compelled to return again.

On The Way To Lucia Falls

An image of just one of many amazing scapes on the Lewis River. The location is near Battle Ground, Washington. Off Lucia Falls Road. I had such a great day of exploration and photoging.

Seldom Seen In The Cascades

While I was seeking to find a better location to capture a waterfall image, quess what I did find. A seldom seen amphibian. The forest ranger told me that this brown Salamander is rarely noticed. I noticed a rare being. It made my day. Claim the victory and you will have a better day too.

Images from my blog are now available.

You can have your favorite scenes from my blog hanging on your walls

To order images just e-mail me at:    james.shonka@yahoo.com
Feel free to write and inquire about the process, (include image date and title)

* Brighten up your walls *

Some of the sizes available are:

Note Cards,  4-1/4 x 5-1/2 (with envelopes) Set of five from same image  . . . . . . . .  $20.00

8 x 10 Custom Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $25.00

11 x 14 Custom Print (mounted) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $90.00

16 x 20 Custom Print (mounted) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $120.00

The above prices include shipping and handling, (within the USA)

Note:  Other sizes or special treatments are available as well.

Thanks for viewing my blog.
James Shonka

The Twin Barns of Nisqually

This is another view of the twin barns on the Nisqually Wildlife Preserve. The four season's of the year are very different, one from the other. The winter season is passing into the spring. The song birds are setting up house keeping.

The Capture I Was Seeking

This past year I have been from one end of Washington state to the other in search of the Bald Eagle. I've found many young eagles but my quest was to capture an adult bald eagle soaring in the sky. I look at this image with pride.

Teenage Bald Eagles . . . ROCK !

Would you like to soar like an eagle, up in the sky. This dude 'rocks'.

Founded In 1876

The Cedar Creek Grist Mill rests on a steep and rocky slope at the bottom of a narrow gorge. It is the only grain grinding mill in Washington that has maintained its original structural integrity, grinds with stones and is water powered.

Soar With The Eagles

How many of you think that this is a Bald Eagle. Well it is. The eagle's don't get their distinquished white head until after they turn five years old.