Make yourself at home...

 

Sometimes something beautiful comes from shadowy places...

 

Peeking out of the clouds at the end of the day...

 

A beautiful spot on Olequa Creek...

 

Can you walk right up the side of a tree?

 

Never forget...

 

A beautiful barn...

 

Rocky stopped by. It was good to see him again.

 

A peaceful pasture on the other side of the road...

 

A perfect threesome!

 

Nobody wants him to drill a well anymore, but he loves to sit and talk to his flowers...

 

The horses like to hang around the shed...

 

Looking across the wetlands and Silver lake, Mt. ST. Helens still stands above everything.

 

Still lots of snow on the mountain--- It was 44 years ago Saturday that the entire north face of Mt. St. Helens blew off. That was something!

 

Mrs. Redwing Blackbird gets the work done, while her mate is singing songs out in the open.

 

This is the part of the wetlands walk that was once a log train right-of-way, a very long time ago. The Yellow Iris blooms and the springtime greenery make this especially lovely.

 

The afternoon sun is making this Rhododendron glow as it surprises people near the wetlands walk.

 

A sweet sight on a perfect afternoon...

 

"Do you like me in profile? Give me two fish, and you can take my picture."

This grand fellow is doing his best to guard the door to our pumphouse, as well as being garden art.

 

Sharing today with Mersad's Through My Lens

A Spring walk-- So much to see in this part of the wetlands walk.

 

Way in the back of our backyard, a Rhodie making beautiful flowers, and a birdhouse tower.

 

The beautiful foxglove (Digitalis) is lighting up the wetlands!

 

Yes, this is a repeat from a few years back. But as I said, the little guys can be clowns! Chipper, the Chipmunk, sees his reflection!

 

In the trees, or on the ground, Chipmunks are fearless little clowns. I love 'em!

 

Ferns, moss, and very busy woodpeckers!! The deepest, quietest part of the forest.

 

The beautiful Bearded Iris flowers look especially exotic coming through the horsetails. You can find the most amazing things in the forest.

 

Fresh new leaves and a very old shed...

 

This old tree looked at us for a while. Then he smiled and welcomed us...

 

Minnie Peak is looming at the end of Coldwater Lake...

 

At the base of Mt. St. Helens, we're about 2000 feet above the Toutle River-- as seen from the Castle Lake Viewpoint. The greenery on the valley floor is stands of tall firs and hemlocks. Pictures can't show the immensity of the scene.