Cordata Park morning reflection, Quaking Aspen, Oakmoss (Evernia prunastri) is a lichen that grows primarily on Oak trees but also may be found on other deciduous trees as well in temperate forests of the Pacific Northwest. Ice particles glisten on the tips of a plant in the morning sun.

Clouds reflected in pond, first flowers of Indian Plum also known as Osoberry, Tree Mat Homalothecium Moss (Homalothecium fulgescens), and major work effort by a Pileated Woodpecker on an old Douglas fir in search of insects to feed on.

Oregon Beaked Moss - (Kindbergia oregana) grows in lowland forests of the Pacific Northwest, Sword ferns on the ground and Licorice ferns growing on the tree trunks and/or rocks blanket the understory of the Northwest temperate forests.

Within a few minutes of each other the sunset to the west versus the sunset to the east delivers starkly different colors but each are just as dramatic as the other.

The floating islands found on the Miami River work like a floating wetland and remove excess nutrients from the water column, the Fraser River White Suturgeon can grow to 20 feet, weigh up to 1500 pounds, lifespan of 100 years, largest freshwater fish in Canada.

Small icicles forming alongside the edges of Whatcom creek brighten the landscape on a chilly day.

One of the best parts of winter in the Pacific Northwest is even markers along trails can be beautiful harbingers of the beauty of the natural landscape and enhance the hiking experience.

There are four mountain ranges that border Harrison Lake - the Coast Mountains, the Lillooet Range to the east, the Douglas Range to the west, south end is Mt Cheam which is the end of the Cascade Mountain Range. Another interesting fact is that both Harrison River and Lake are tidal.

The Sasquatch is a rich and important part of the Sts'ail First Nations people of the Chehalis Lakes region and has been part of their oral tradition over a thousand years. Sasquatch is viewed as the caretaker of the lands and is honored within their cultural history.

Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park near Chillawack, BC just magical flow of mist and water cascading down rock face to the forest floor below.

Spirit Masks from the Spirit Trail - each mask prompts a different perspective - searching, wisdom, introspective, and welcoming.

Another beautiful day with multiple hikes to enhance the experience.

Bridal Veil Falls, Harrison Lake and surrounding mountain peaks in southwestern British Columbia on the way to Harrison Hot Springs on a picturesque February day.

Great Blue Heron doing a one legged pose along Whatcom Creek, flowers beginning to open on Oregon Grape further hint of very early spring here, one of the old wall painting hinting at the laid back nature of Bellingham.

Mirror image on Geneva Pond, Club-like Tuning Fork (Calocera cornea) absolutely love the name, Orange Jelly Spot (Dacrymyces chrysospermus) both native to the Pacific Northwest.

Another lovely day in the northwest with low hanging fog near the surface of Lake Whatcom. Yellowlegs Bonnet(Mycena epipterygia) tiny fungi growing on the bark of a Douglas fir, Pale Oyster (Pleurotus pulmonarius) and pussy willow with the furry catkins.

Sunrise this morning with the mist riding low and hugging the foothills - lovely start to the day.

February 1st and we in the northwest are experiencing first signs of spring. The first camellia bloom of the year and snow drops.

Winter skies always changing but never boring.

Even in the depth of a northwest winter there are hints of new plant life appearing in hidden and protected corners already producing flowers to lighten the day.

The winter flowers of the Witch Hazel brighten a winter's day and the ever changing beauty of the Pacific Northwest landscape from Puget Sound looking west to the Cascade Mountains to the east.

After reading about Alex and his life I want to think about him in the larger context as not only someone dedicated to healing but someone who sought to truly make a difference. I want to think of him like some of my favorite places truly beautiful inside and out. Safe travels Alex into the Unknown

The blue black of night time skies, absolutely love this little fungus called Fairy Parachutes (Marasmiellus candidus) which is native to the Pacific Northwest, and Hair Ice.

Another January night another night of aurora watching. Tonight the colors are far different from the purple hues of last night. Now there is more green with hints of yellow and a touch of lavender. I love the shifting colors across the night sky.

January aurora - worth standing in the cold to witness.

Deep in the woods on the way to Samish Crest - Yellowing Curtain Crust (Stereum subtomentosum) also known as False Turkey Tail and hidden in tree ledge where a tree was felled a tiny raccoon figurine.

Small things enhance a hike how light reflects on rushing water, Yellow waxy cap nestled in the forest debris a sign of a healthy soil ecosystem, and the golden orb spider web glistening in the morning light.

Snow-white Crust (Plicatura nivea) and Fishbone Beard Lichen (Usnea dasopoga) both are found in old growth and secondary old growth forests of the Pacific Northwest and are highly visible in the rainy months of fall and winter.

Geneva Pond on a winter's day and a forest bridge made of Yellow cedar. There is something so soothing to the spirit to wander forested trails mostly quiet except for the sounds of springs running briskly towards the pond and the occasional croak of a Raven, Belted kingfisher, and Stellar's Jay.

I can never get enough of the sound, beauty, and power of waterfalls, geologic crossroads which fill the senses.

The weekly ferry from Bellingham to Alaska by way of the Inland Passage is not for the light hearted during the winter months with numerous storms pummeling the ship along the way. Barrow's goldeneye ducks wintering on the bay, and snow on the foothills near Lake Whatcom.

The little sailing boat reminds me of one of my favorite classic bedtime story of Wynken, Blynken and Nod. The carvings on the columns along the stairs leading up to the old City Hall date back to the 1890s.

Blue skies and interesting cloud formations as well as raging creeks running high even when stormy weather subsides.

In need of quiet and a bit of solitude today and finding hidden gifts like Hair Ice - (Exidiopsis effusa) a species of fungi which is known for forming hair ice on dead wood.

New Year's Day walk along Big Indian Slough along Padilla Bay saw 36 Bald eagles, 77 Killdeer, 29 Great Blue Heron, 166 Northern Pintail, 1 Short Eared Owl, 3 Northern Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 5 Rough Legged Hawks, 33 Common and Barrow's goldeneye, 13 Buffleheads, 28 American Widgeons, 2 Common loons.

Sunrise over Lake Whatcom and sunset and as always sunrises are far superior to sunsets on this lake.

Trail of a Thousand Puddles was my hike today with a break in the weather and wandering along the South Fork of the Nooksack River. I have to admit love the name but probably should be renamed Trail of Wet Hiking Boots with Knee High Creeks.

I love this piece called Positive Energy especially when the morning light pierces the pieces of glass and fills the artwork with light especially on the short days when light is in short supply.

Christmas stroll along Bellingham Bay to Marine Park and back with the views of the North Cascade Mountains freshly painted in new snow and the shades only visible in winter light.

Not sure if this is Cauliform mushroom - Sparassis Radicata or White Domecap - Leucocybe connata but both of them are native to the Pacific Northwest.

Rainbows are a frequent visitor here which is why they figure so prominently in the mythology of the First Nations people of the Salish Sea.

The great thing about winter in the Pacific Northwest is that even when it mid afternoon and the light is lessening, young children use lamps to work on nature activities in shelters at the park regardless of the weather conditions.

Looking through the center of a sculpture reminds me of Mary in the Secret Garden peeking through the keyhole the first time and seeing a bit of the untamed garden. This other stone piece is a reminder of the tomb passageways of Ireland especially meaningful as we approach the winter solstice.

With short winter days approaching and storms rolling in the water rushes everywhere and the darkness is ever present even in the middle of the day.

A break in the stormy weather - a view of the Olympic Mountains in the distance over Bellingham Bay and Mt. Baker rising above the foothills and a lenticular cloud forming over it from atmospheric waves often a sign of an incoming front.

Quiet walk along the interurban, Great Blue Heron, Dull Oregon grape.

Even the small creeks are spilling over there banks with the massive amount of rain from the atmospheric rivers coming into the northwest but the increased water flow is also due to the warm temperatures melting the snow in the mountains and adding to the flood risks.

Creeks are raging at the moment with the second atmospheric river hitting this week and this one much stronger than the last.

Old Man's Beard creates interesting pattern and designs as does the curves and falls of Whatcom Creek.

Whatcom Falls Park - ever changing fast moving water of Whatcom Creek as it weaves through the woods on its way to Puget Sound.