On the Cathlamet waterfront, with the bridge to Puget Island in the background--- Things don't change much here.

 

The winter colors can be quite beautiful in the wetlands-- even on a drippy afternoon.

 

Max and Matilda are back and looking good at the wetlands walk.

 

Mt. St. Helens is resplendent in her coat of snow. The wetlands are especially beautiful in the late afternoon of a clear winter day.

 

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About 50 miles from the Pacific Ocean on the Columbia River, a hungry Sea Lion is headed inland looking for goodies...

 

No, it isn't a spaceship, it's the reflection of a passenger jet making a vapor trail in the water at the Silver Lake wetlands.

 

A quiet moment on the mighty Columbia River, near Cathlamet.

 

Isn't this an amazing tree!

 

The eagles soar over St. Francis Xavier Mission, near Toledo, Washington-- The site of the first Catholic mission in the Pacific Northwest-- 1838. The mission primarily served Native Americans and members of the Hudson's Bay Company. The original mission burned in 1901 and was replaced by the church in the picture.

 

But alone is no fun!

 

She seems to have something to say...

 

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With a loud cry and the flapping of giant wings, he's on his way.

 

I don't think he's very happy with us...

 

I love these tiny little ducks--- Buffleheads! Here they are enjoying a little bit of sunshine at Lake Sacagawea.

 

Leave it behind...

 

A perfect reflection of Minnie Peak on Coldwater Lake!

 

This is Rainbow Falls, on the Chehalis River about 35 miles north of us. It's a lovely spot.

 

It's always a good time for a waterfall. The ferns and the moss stay green year-round.

 

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There's just something magical about bare trees!

 

I especially like this part of the wetlands walk-- it was a log train right-of-way a long time ago.

 

Even in January, these guys are out fishing on Silver Lake!

 

Sometimes it just feels good to flap your wings!

 

Glorious!

 

High above the Toutle River Valley, eastbound on the Spirit Lake Highway. There is still a lot of snow at the higher elevations.

 

In a month or two we'll see the beginnings of some new growth. The snow is mostly gone.

 

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One of my biggest regrets is not taking more pictures of the log train when it was still making the trip up and down the hill near Headquarters Road. Sometimes we like to take pictures of the no longer used right-of-way. The top of Headquarters is usually in the clouds with winter weather, so it's easy to have a ghostly look. I can still imagine...

 

Lots of fog on this chilly late afternoon. We had the wetlands walk all to ourselves.

 

Oh sure, the snow and ice are melting, but even close to this little waterfall there are still some good sized icicles left.

 

Watch out! There are still some icy spots.

 

Peaceful this afternoon until the freezing rain hit around 5pm. It, as well as the snow, should be gone before long as we have a few days of rain and warmer temperatures ahead. One last look?

 

The sun came out for a while today!

 

Here's a nice surprise--- I wandered into the farthest reaches of our backyard Sunday afternoon and found this stump was totally sheltered by our big trees. The leaves are evergreen. I think it's some little creature's home. No snow is expected tomorrow, but temperatures will remain below freezing.

 

This is what 6 inches of snow looks like in the backyard. Very, very cold, but at least it's stopped snowing. In the lower right corner, you'll note that Taz is expressing his displeasure.

 

A cold January view in the Lake Sacagawea City Park. Significant snow and wind are expected on Saturday. Temperatures are expected to return to normal by next Wednesday.

 

There're still signs of the snow we had earlier this week, but more is coming, along with unusually cold temperatures.

 

More snow is predicted for Friday evening into Saturday. Some very cold temperatures are expected overnight for the next few days. In this picture, the trees next to Silver Lake are beautiful in their bit of snow and fog.

 

Here's an empty cargo ship headed inland in a wintery rain...

 

As darkness approaches, he waits for his mate...

 

Very quiet--- only the sound of a female mallard in the distance.

 

A break in the clouds at the end of the day...

 

I've stopped at this point in the path a hundred times to take pictures. This time, the feeling is definitely Winter.

 

It's getting colder...

 

The sun is setting over Silver Lake...

 

January colors in the wetlands!

 

It was good to see a little sunshine today...