Our National Symbol…

Finally…the bald eagle is now OFFICIALLY the national bird of the US! Although it’s been on the Great Seal of our country since 1782 and has signified strength, courage, freedom and immortality for generations, it is not always on its best behavior. Benjamin Franklin actually objected to it being chosen to represent the country, saying:

‘I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our
country; he is a bird of bad moral character; like those among men who
live by sharping and robbing, he is generally poor, and often very lousy.
The turkey is a much more respectable bird and withal a true, original
native of America’.

…but we eat turkeys and glorify eagles! Yes, because aside from their faults they are still incredibly fascinating, as was this one…although eating something very unmentionable.

Point Williams/Schmuck Road Barn

This is pushing the season a bit into spring color, but in my world, art knows no season and spring can never come soon enough.

This rather dilapidated but nostalgic barn is a favorite of mine; I see it on my daily drive through Sequim searching for elk, birds, or compelling scenery. And since it appears to be deteriorating rapidly, I’m glad I captured it when I did, but sad to see it go.

The image started as a photograph, but while editing it, I felt a more painterly approach was in order and so I used several digital filters to enhance it, at least to my liking.

I’ll leave it to my readers to help me determine the owner, its history and why it’s being left to collapse tho.

Olympic Peninsula Audubon Members – Please join us for this FREE event this evening:

Tonight, a dozen Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society member photographers will be presenting a collection of their photos along with narrative about where, when and how they recorded them.

I will be among them, and the above is a sampling of the local photos I’ll be presenting. I’ll also be displaying several of the ones I’ve photographed in Argentina, California, and Florida, while the other photographers will have varying collections as well, all of which are impressive.

If you’re a member, great, but if not, please consider signing up. I hate to leave anyone out! So here’s a link to their website: https://olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org/membership

The presentation will also be presented on Zoom for those members who would rather attend in their jammies.

Winter Color

While checking the view from the Dungeness Cemetery, I took a sharp turn and wandered down Lamar Lane.

While peeking through the trees, I found this warm spot of color at a farm field I am unfamiliar with, although I hope my readers will fill me in. I’d love to know the story of the farm and to meet the owner(s) – to assure them I was NOT trespassing if nothing else!

Whidbey Island continued…

What’s not to love Washington? Our ferry dropped us off on Whidbey Island and we found this amazing view about a half mile from the dock.

The colorful sky we had while crossing from Pt. Townsend was beginning to gray, but the frosting of the beach grasses and logs were sparkling. It was a simple landscape that was delightfully picturesque and a beautiful welcome on a bitter cold day.

Be sure to make reservations!

Sequim to Whidbey Island via the ferry

It was cold and wintery day for a trip to anywhere, but the view from one of our ferries can make it all worthwhile. The Cascade Mountains were peeking through the clouds and the early morning sun displayed a range of color from a beautiful blue to a soft and lovely magenta.

Whenever I board the ferry, I’m always hoping for leaping orcas, humpbacks, or dolphins, but there was no whining from me on this trip…and that in itself is remarkable!

Quintessential Sequim

Sequim is not without its icons, and this incredible lady is one of them.

While on my daily birding run, I found her (name unknown) leisurely passing by in horse and buggy, with dogs in tow, while willing to chat, and more than willing to pose for my camera.

I can think of nowhere else in the world that one might stumble over this scene, other than in Sequim! To me, she is the epitome of what Sequim represents – rural roots and neighborly charm.

But unfortunately, although I photographed her in April of 2021, I lost track of her, as well as my communication with her. So I’m asking all of you to help me locate her…or to at least provide me with an avenue to contact her.