Dungeness River Nature Center Trestle

Another favorite spot for many us is the Nature Center, and although I photographed it in spring, the infrared/sepia treatment I applied to it almost makes it appear like snow on the trees.

If you haven’t visited the center, or haven’t since the new building and landscaping redesign, then you’re truly missing what is now one of Sequim’s most beautiful attractions.

As stated on their website at https://dungenessrivercenter.org/about-us/our-story/, “The Dungeness River Nature Center’s mission is to inspire understanding, respect, and stewardship of our natural and cultural resources”. And the trestle still stands a bridge between Sequim’s past and its present.

Tornado Ridge?

I talked with a cousin this afternoon who relayed that she had 22 degree temps in Atlanta this morning. That got me to thinking about the wacky weather occurring throughout the country, and this image of what resembled a funnel cloud.

When I spotted it, I almost believed that Sequim was experiencing a tornado – which could result in renaming the ridge, at least to my estimation.

The View from Helen’s Pond

Ahhh…the joys of winter on the Olympic Peninsula

The view of Helen’s Pond off of 3 Crabs Road, with Canada geese dotting the sky, offers a warmer approach to January than the snow on the ridge, at least for me.

And the return of the Trumpeters at Kirner Pond is the icing on the cake!

More Snow on the Mountain

Hurricane Ridge on a spectacular winter day…

Hurricane Ridge Winter
Snow scripting

When a Facebook friend posted video of snow at her house yesterday, I was surprised that we didn’t see it as well. With our temps well into the 30’s I dread that it won’t be long until we’re shoveling the driveway – but I delight in the chance to capture the amazing snowboarders who turned this hillside into such a calligraphic expression of joy!

Eye to Eye

Once you fall in love with horses, there’s no going back.

Although one of the most frightening but also funny (afterwards) experiences of my life involved riding one, I now use my camera to express my love for them.

This particular beauty was being unloaded from a trailer parked at the Dungeness Recreation Area one day. Her owner was quite proud of her, and rightly so. Not only was she beautiful, but gentle, well cared for, and more than happy to transport her rider along the numerous trails that traverse the park.

And her owner, was careful to pick up after her, a trait I see with every horse owner I’ve met, and to keep the trail and the park a welcoming natural area for all who visit.

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.