Welcome, Springtime Low Tides

“Each breaking wave, each rush of the sea on the slope of sand, reminds me why these places of pilgrimage matter. They matter to me because in the long view, I do not. I am driftwood. I am rockweed. I am osprey and the mackerel in the clutch of her feet. I am a woman standing on the edge of the continent looking out. ”
— Terry Tempest Williams
Calcarious tube worm, swaddled in Eelgrass at Constellation Beach

Calcarious tube worm, swaddled in Eelgrass at Constellation Beach

Brant Geese, stopping at Constellation Beach to munch on the Eelgrass at low tide. 

Brant Geese, stopping at Constellation Beach to munch on the Eelgrass at low tide. 

Painted anemone, belly hanging out! Constellation Beach.

Painted anemone, belly hanging out! Constellation Beach.

Oregon Coast

We manage to make at least one trip a year to the Oregon coast and it never disappoints. Springtime visits are my favorite. You never know what the late winter storms will have churned up on the beach. The weather is often unpredictable but we seem to always manage at least a bit of sun here and there in between the wind and the rain (and sometimes hail). 

Sunset at the Needles & Haystack rock 

Sunset at the Needles & Haystack rock

 

Barred Owls in the West Duwamish Greenbelt

I am lucky to have a bunch of nature nerds for friends. Thanks to them, I often have opportunities to see a variety of wildlife all around our great city.  The West Duwamish Greenbelt trail in West Seattle is currently home to two pairs of mated Barred Owls. I had never seen a Barred Owl in the wild this close before..what a thrill! They are so magnificent. Soft and majestic. 

Photographing them has not been an easy task. Roosting up in the trees during the day, they are often in shadow and obscured by branches and pine needles. On most visits they are resting but I have had the pleasure of seeing them wake up to do some grooming  and occasionally turn their heads to look at us. I can't wait to go back and visit them again soon. 

Fluffy the Barred Owl

Fluffy the Barred Owl

Sleepy doing a bit of grooming 

Sleepy doing a bit of grooming

 

Welcome...

I am so glad you are here... 

As the winter is pushing its last breath (we hope) over our city this week, there are still plenty of signs that spring is on the way. The months of February and March always change the focus of my photographs. No dramatic low tides to explore and very few mushrooms bursting forth across the forest floor. I always find myself drawn to the University of Washington Arboretum this time of year to watch spring slowly unfold...