A colorful sunset and drifting fog...

 

Late on a cold afternoon in the wetlands--- Mt. St. Helens (named after a British Lord who never saw it) is glowing in the distance.

 

Coldwater lake with more snow--- Minnie Peak rising above it all.

 

You can see the caldera, left that way after the north face of Mt. St. Helens blew off almost 45 years ago.

 

Snow glows...

 

Mt. St. Helens as night falls... See the jet contrail way up above?

 

People don't talk about Mt. Adams a lot. It's east of Mt. St. Helens and quite beautiful, especially on a late afternoon like this!

 

Happy ferns and a little trickle of water---

 

The end of the day...

 

Let's go this way---

 

Bare trees in many places here are rarely bare in the winter. The moss is so thick that ferns can grow in it. It can make for an "otherworldly" look...

 

The BNSF locomotives are amazing to see in the twilight.

 

Coming 'round the bend...

 

It's peaceful here, but wear a warm coat...

 

I love this little creek.

 

This is what a Pacific Northwest rainforest looks like!

 

Reaching into the foggy sky...

 

Evening twilight in the wetlands, and a beaver is silently heading for home...

 

Even after living here for 35 years, it's still hard not to be amazed sometimes in the forest.

 

A magical little waterfall...

 

Foggy trees...

 

A ship from Asia headed upriver to pick up cargo at one of the three ports: Portland, Kalama, or Longview.

 

Just before the sun sets in the wetlands, a beautiful layer of fog is hovering over Silver Lake

 

These trees in the wetlands are bare except for some moss, and a big old Great Blue Heron who seems a bit out of place.

 

Maybe it's time for a new shed! It's a cold, wintery day in the Toledo Highlands-- lots of snow on the hills in the background.

 

Moss, ferns, and lots of leaves on the path! Winter in the forest.

 

A magical spot in the forest...

 

A light dusting of snow on the very big trees! My truck looks awfully small.

 

What a glorious moment--- Looking out over the wetlands and Silver Lake.

 

It's true! Coldwater Lake's water really is very cold!

 

Happy New Year! No sense delaying, it's just one step after another...