We left Livingston MT and followed the Lewis & Clark Trail through
western Montana, Idaho to Washington. We crossed the continental divide and followed
this beautiful Clearwater River over 100 miles.
Our first camp was at Indian Trees campground in the Bitterroot National Forest.
We parked next to this Ponderosa Pine, Native Americans left this tree scar cutting the bark
to get to the sweet tasting cambium.
We encountered a variety of butterflies including this
Variable Checkerspot
Northern Crescent
Lorquin's Admiral
Azure visits Daisy
Least Chipmunk
He was curious about us in his territory
This Red Squirrel exhibits very dark pelage
typical for dark forest wildlife.
As we passed the summit in Idaho we saw many
great rock formations.
California Ground Squirrel at it's den
We followed the Columbia River Gorge, distant Mt. Hood in background.
A closer look at Mt. Hood through 100 degrees and smoke from wildlires.
There were many train and car tunnels on the north side of the Gorge.
We visited at the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge and were
greeted by this Bald Eagle.
Columbian White-tailed Deer bearing ear tags
Nutria dozing in the sun
Our first of many Stelller's Jays.
Fern sporangia- spores developing inside
Fern spores ripe dispersing
We reached the end of the Lewis & Clark Trail at the Pacific Ocean.
Snowy Plover at Grayland Beach
Pelagic Cormorants at Westport on Gray's Harbor
One of our favorite birding areas.
California Gulls
Heermann's Gulls
Jetty rock-hopping one half mile out into the Pacific Ocean yeilded good results.....
Surf Scoter
Ocher Sea Stars prying open clams
Ocher Sea Stars come in purple, orange and other colors.
Wandering Tattler picking through barnacles
California Gull attempting to swallow Starfish
Literally thousands of Sooty Shearwaters congregate around bait ball.
Western Gull at the Ship Harbor
Black Turnstones, find eight birds!
Harbor Seal playing "I Spy"
Pigeon Guillemot with eel
Guillemot brings eel back to juveniles
which nested under harbor wharf
Guillemot juveniles are quite acrobatic walking the proverbial plank
Glaucous-winged Gull
Marbled Godwits settle into harbor
Approximately 230 increased to an estimated 600 birds
Milling about, getting acquainted
Feeding time!
Veiwing from above offers unique close-up opportunity
Raccoon waiting for domestic cat food daily delivery to arrive.
Stay tuned for more of Washington in the next blog.
Every day of travels in God's creation brings us Joy.
Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann
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