Herd of elk?

Just east of Sequim, WA, about 30 miles from Port Townsend there is a sign: Elk X-ing. In the 20 + years I’ve lived here I’ve never seen any elk near the sign, that is until today.

I noticed what I first thought was a herd of deer, then did a double take. Roosevelt elk were grazing in a field. These animals are much larger than our local deer. They are the largest North American sub-species of elk.

I pointed the animals out to K.  She said, “go back.” I made the first possible turn around on US 101 to return for a photo. I couldn’t get close and the camera was pointing into the sun, so the shot isn’t what I’d have liked. No matter.

If you look at the elk closest on the right, you’ll notice that it’s wearing a blue collar. There were at least three elk wearing collars. Apparently, that is a radio transmitter that activates the flashing lights on the Elk X-ing road sign.

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Uban Renewal

Old Victorian age brick buildings are classy, but old buildings  have lots of problems. Why not build a new building behind an old facade? This is in Victoria, BC.

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The oil tanker Polar Endeavor

The twin hulled oil tanker Polar Endeavor is currently docked in Port Angeles, about an hour west of Port Townsend. I took the photo as much because of the sky as anything.

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Falling into the reflection

Big Dave requested maple leaves in water. I’ve shot quite a few photos of watery leaves, but there’s little fresh water near maple trees around Port Townsend. This picture was shot at Savage Plants nursery near Kingston on the Kitsap Peninsula. Google Maps tells me that it’s only 12 miles away, though it takes almost 45 miles to get there by road.

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Meredith Wagner and Ray Serebrin on Port Townsend - Keystone Ferries

Assistant Director Meredith Wagner and Director Ray Serebrin of Jefferson County Library taking a research trip to the Coupville Library on Whidbey Island.

Hood Canal Bridge deck

It’s interesting how restricting focus can reveal shapes and patterns that we would not normally notice. This is a section of the surface of the Hood Canal Bridge. Construction forced a stop on the bridge.

Photo of the Olympic Mountains seen from Hurricane Ridge

Hurricane Ridge is located in the Olympic National Park. It’s a 16 mile drive from Port Angeles and over 5,200 feet in elevation. From the end of the road a trail runs almost a mile and 900 feet higher to the top of Hurricane Hill. This view looks eastward from the ridge toward the Buckhorn Wilderness area in the distance.

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