A new year! I hope it's a safe and happier one for all of us.

 

The sea and the cliffs-- a good place to think about the new year. I hope it brings us together.

 

Wednesday afternoon, looking out the bathroom window. It's snowing again Wednesday night/Thursday morning, but it will turn to rain by 10am they say. As I write this the icicles are even longer.

 

Colors can disappear in wintry weather...

 

Lots of snow in the backyard Monday afternoon-- Temperatures are remaining below freezing all day.

 

This was before another 4-6 inches (at least) fell. There's a LOT of snow on the ground and in the trees...

 Sharing today with Mersad's Through My Lens

In the late afternoon winter darkness these little leaves proudly proclaimed that there is still color, hope, love, and life to believe in...

 

Christmas Day! Merry Christmas to all!

 Snow through the weekend, and in the next week the coldest temperatures in 30 years.  Time to put on the heat lamp in the pumphouse!

Let's go home-- It's Christmas eve! Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Snow and cold temperatures coming this weekend--- and it's almost Christmas Eve!

 

On a very wet wintry afternoon, the Heron is headed home for dinner-- Fish tonight! With a six foot wingspan, the Heron will be on time!

 

Looking into the mouth of the volcano with some fresh snow...

 

The low winter sun highlights the little creek and the evergreen ferns in this part of the woods...

 

Sharing today with Mersad's Through My Lens

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

 

The same tunnel separating the two beaches on the Oregon Coast-- This is me headed back to the other end. (Thanks to Laura for the picture!). That end is surrounded by a concrete structure to protect against falling rock and landslides. The light is all reflected sunlight.

 

Inside, looking out...

 

A secret cave? Rum Runners? Pirates? Tunnel Beach near Oceanside Oregon is accessible only by water, and by this tunnel, carved out about 110 years ago by developers of what they hoped would be the most famous ocean resort on the west coast. That didn't happen, but the tunnel is still there.

 

Good night, and thanks for the visit...

 

Can't catch me!! A cold December day, but they don't care-- they're having too much fun!

 

The edge of the world...

 

Sharing today with Mersad's Through My Lens

High on a cliff overlooking the ocean, these trees are absolutely impossible! But there they are--

 

Winter sky over the beach...

 

Always the same, but always different. And every time you see it it's like starting all over again with something new...

 

"Golly Fred, I'm not sure we've made a very good impression..."

 

A pasture near the ocean where the cows are busy making the prime ingredient for Tillamook Cheese...

 

Late in the day, a gull surveys the beach...

 

Ride like the wind! It's never too cold for a gallop on the beach...

 

Sharing today with Mersad's Through My Lens

Be careful! It's a long way down...

 

A perfect little bridge...

 

A hidden stream in the forest. We love to see all the little ferns growning out of the moss on the sides of trees.

 

December light shing through...

 

The geese aren't a bit concerned by the fox hunting in the field. I guess they figure he doesn't do much swimming. We watched the fox for quite a while as he would do the characteristic jump and pounce trying to get his prey....

 

Standing in the same spot as yesterday's picture, but looking the other way...

 

Warm woods-- Surprisingly mild temperatures today...

 Sharing today with Mersads Through My Lens

Smooth sailing...

 

Falling into Fall...

 

Standing out from the crowd...

 

A very powerful cloud...

 

Softly...

 

A full-size Great Blue Heron perched in a tree-- perhaps for a better view of the mountain...

 

Many of the water plants have sunk back into the water for their winter snooze-- The Silver Lake wetland water is very calm.

 Sharing today with Mersad's Through My Lens

A bridge through bare trees...

 

Early morning fog...

 

An amazing sunset along the Spirit Lake Highway---Low Clouds and just a little snow at about 2600 feet. What a beautiful way to end the day...

 

Enchanted...

 

The few leaves that are still hanging look like ornaments in this part of the forest...

 

The leaves have fallen, but the evergreen ferns still catch the light as Laura walks past the friendly giants...

 

Still amazing--- Heavy winds and rain expected. It's time...

 Sharing today with Mersad's Through My Lens

Many of the leaves have fallen, but there's still some lovely color along the Cowlitz River...

 

Standing tall in the last light of day...