November Tones

Ml called this morning for a spur-of-the-minute photo ramble; there was no rain, and encouraging bands of low clouds and fog, so off we went.  We hit all our favorite haunts, but the light was either too flat, or the clouds too heavy, or the scenery just wasn't speaking to us.  We did stop for this, though, as the sun was fighting through the clouds.  The clouds won.  Yep, this is November...and winter...out here.  Grey, cloudy, wet, but with its own kind of monotone beauty.  Quiet, peaceful, mysterious, sometimes somber.  It is the curl-up-with-a-good-book, a-cup-of-cocoa, in-front-of-a-fire type beauty during the winter.

 

A Bright Spot

As I was wading through some fallen big-leaf maple leaves to get to where I parked my car, all I could see was brown, brown, brown.  Light brown, dark brown, wet brown, dry brown.  Some days I feel like that---just browned out in any direction I look.  But then I noticed these two leaves, atop all that brown--reminders that there is ALWAYS a ray of hope, there is ALWAYS a better way to look at things, if we will just stop focusing on all the "browness" of our lives and start looking for the little tender mercies that the Lord sends into our lives.  They are small and unobtrusive, and easy to overlook, but if we realize that the Savior knows us, loves us, wants the best for us and is willing to give us those loving indications that He is present in our lives and helping us, we are better able to focus on those small unexpected miracles and realize that things aren't really as bad as we think.

Paint the Sky

I visited friends in Utah last month, and one night as we were driving home there was an unbelievably spectacular sunset.  I knew we were going to be in for a treat when I saw all the clouds in the sky, but had no idea what was in store.  Although it started out pastel, the colors kept getting more and more intense until it was so vivid that I was gasping aloud.  Seeing such a beautiful sunset across that huge expanse of sky was amazing!

Sunset at the Coast

After a busy day, what is more relaxing that watching the sun set over the ocean (or any body of water, for that matter)?

Westport Harbor and Marina, and the Dock Boys

All sizes of fishing boats go in and out of Westport...small ones like this, big charter boats, and the even-larger commercial fishing trawlers.  No matter the size of the boat, each come with an escort of opportunistic gulls and pelicans, waiting for something, anything, to come loose.  By the time this one made dock there were so many gulls on the dinghy and pile of nets that they sat side-by-side, wing-to-wing.

 This walkway has been built over the harbor, from one of the docks out to the seawall.  It was really fun to stand there and watch the boats and pelicans.  While we were up there we heard a sea lion, so off we went, searching along the docks and among the boats to see if we could find it.

 And there he was, popping up to see what was going on.  Impressive set of whiskers, don't you think? 

 Not only that, he had a friend along with him!

 This big bull and his companion were so loud you could hear them all over the marina.  They made sure that any of the other sea lions knew that they had staked out this particular section of dock.  We made sure that we didn't get too close.  They may look awkward, but they are pretty fast.

 Basking and showing those noble stances...  I understand the need to soak up the sun!

Hail, hail, the gang's all here...in fact, one couldn't even find room on the dock to join in the fun.  I laughed out loud to see the one sea lion sticking his head into the boat, hoping there was something to eat there!

Jellies and Pelis

On the way home from the coast we stopped in Westport, a fishing town where a lot of charter boats and commercial fishing fleets are based.  We stopped for a delicious lunch, and then spent time walking around the harbor and marina, watching the boats and the local wildlife.  I was so excited to see jellyfish in the water.  I haven't been able to identify the species, but their bright amber color against the blue-green of the water was stunning.  It was fascinating to watch them moving through the water; it was almost like a ballet.

There were countless aerial squadrons of brown pelicans, and I was entranced.  I know they are as common as seagulls over there, but I loved watching them fly in their lines across the sky, looking like something from prehistoric times.  The formations would undulate up and down, but always in a line.

 Caught this one just as it was diving in for dinner...

 Taking off---they run across the water, flapping their wings until they can get enough speed up to get aloft.  I love the "trail" in the water behind this one. 

Another take-off...

Embellished

Imagine my delight the other morning to wake up and find not only frost on the ground.....

 ...but a little snowfall as well.  The snow only lasted about an hour, and it was more like little styrofoam pellets than flakes, but it was an indication of the change of the season!!  Loved the way this leaf not only collected the snow, but was completely outlined in frost.

Waterfall Ramble

Had an unexpected bonus of a not-rainy day, and ML called me for a spur-of-the-moment photo ramble.  We decided to go see one of our favorite places and check out the "waterfall" there---it's more of a run-off flow, since during the summer there is hardly anything moving down the hill.  But now, after all our rain....BONUS!!

 We decided to explore a little further down the road and off on an interesting side road.  I loved this green tunnel....who would expect green this time of year?

 A little further on, a last gasp of color stood out among all the greyed tree trunks.

 Then we came across another little freshet fall, and of course had to stop and catch it.  This one would definitely be dry during the summer, but now, with the ferns and the mossy rocks, it is beautiful!

One of the reasons I love living here is the fact that there are waterfalls all around.  Yes, it rains a LOT, but the upside to that is the green-ness, even in winter, and waterfalls or freshets showing up in the most unexpected places after lots of rain.  I love the look and the sound of them, and am so grateful to live in an area where I can find these little gems.

Lake Quinault

While my photo friend and I were touring over on the Olympic Peninsula we went to the Lake Quinault rainforest, where we found lovely waterfalls, moss-covered trees and rocks (well, everything that doesn't move is moss-covered...) and enormous hydrangeas growing untended alongside the road.  The Lake Quinault Lodge, built in 1926, was a lovely place to stop for lunch and to enjoy the view.  It is as charming on the inside as on the outside.

 

Even though it was October, there were still kayaks on the shore waiting for those hardy enough to try a paddle on the lake.

Unexpected

Who knew that hydrangea leaves took on purple tones in the fall?  I've grown hydrangeas for years and have never seen this particular shade.  What a fun find!!

Rebels

I love autumn, and the ever-changing tapestry of color as the leaves lose their chlorphyll and show their true colors.  I am always on the lookout for the rebel leaves---the ones that either didn't get the "time to change" memo, or the ones that decided to go against peer pressure and do their own thing.  Finding those non-conformist leaves that stand out against all the uniformity of color always makes me smile.

Wedding Bells

Off to see my DS married to this darling girl.  She is going to be a great addition to the family!

Please excuse the photo--I am NOT a people photog!!

A GREAT Pumpkin

This thing was enormous...you couldn't've put your arms around it.  I wish they'd put up a sign indicating how much it weighed, and who the artist was who carved it.  It certainly is a masterful piece of art. The poor leaning tower at the top...whatever princess is up there must be getting a little dizzy!

Before and After--Just Add Rain

I stopped by the Falls at the beginning of the month to see if the trees had turned yet.  I wasn't expecting much from the Falls since it has been a longer than usual, dryer than usual summer and Indian summer. As expected, the Falls were down to just a trickle.

 I went over there yesterday---add several weeks of rain, both here and up in the mountains, and the Falls are now full and roaring.  The trees on the opposite side of the gorge have changed, and everything is glorious.  The mist kicked up from the Falls was so heavy it was like being in a heavy misty sprinkle.  I at least know enough this time of year to wear a hooded raincoat when I go check out the Falls.

Misty Moisty

There is a Mother Goose rhyme that begins "One misty, moisty morning, when cloudy was the weather..."  I think it was written with the Pacific Northwest in mind.  Ran some errands on that kind of morning, and was treated to lovely fog hanging over the surface of the lake, and shrouding the hills.

 I love love the way the low clouds snag in the trees and drift through, looking like Isadora Duncan's scarf.  They show layers to the hills and mountains that are usually lost in the trees.

This has been a wet wet month--it has rained every day since the beginning of October.  Some days it mists, some days it sprinkles, some days it pours; some days it rains all day, other days we get a break in the middle of it.  Oh well; at least I don't have to shovel, and I don't have to wear 17 layers to go outside.  And there is something soothing about the sound of rain pattering on the roof.  When my kids went off to college they both complained that they couldn't sleep without the sound of rain--a mark of a true Northwesterner!!

Wildlife at Rattlesnake

Went out to Rattlesnake a couple of weeks ago early in the morning, hoping to catch the color change before our weather changed. I was pleased to see some color lining the opposite shore; this has been a really hit-or-miss fall color season, with even the same variety of trees turning at different times.  It does eke out the season a little longer, though, just no grand display.

 I was so excited to see this great blue heron "posing" for me on a stump in the lake.  I spent several happy minutes stalking him and playing paparazzi.

 As I was shooting from one angle, I noticed a disturbance in the lake to the right of the stump, so swung the camera over a little and kept on shooting.  I couldn't believe it--it was an OTTER!!!  I had no idea that there were otters in the lake, and I was thrilled thrilled to see one.  If I had known that I was going to be in for a treat like that, I would've put my longer telephoto on.  Of course, if I had, I wouldn't even have seen a heron!  I'm just glad that I got this shot. The cute little guy didn't stay very long...just enough to do a little grooming and then back into the lake he slid.  There was also a group of deer making their way down the opposite shoreline, but I am SO over deer and elk.