Pileated Woodpecker hunting for bugs

 

The Pileated Woodpecker is the majestic, bug eating giant of the Pacific Northwest. This spectacular bird's iconic call is evocative of the deep and mysterious temperate rainforests that cloak the mountains emerald feet, and this ruby crest of this king of the deep woods wears a startling crown of ruby. 

Pullen Creek forest fire burning at night

The Pullen Creek forest fire near Eco Park, Kid Valley, and Mt. St. Helens was one of dozens started by irresponsible slash burning in the Pacific Northwest this month. Such explosive fire danger is a direct consequence of the climate crisis and poor forestry practices. 2022 has been dangerously and unusually dry, and despite recent rain this normally soggy region remains a tinderbox waiting to explode. 

Stop the Beehive Timber Sale! Save the Siouxon Ancient Forest

This past week I visited the wild and little visited valley of North Siouxan Creek to explore and document the old growth forest that would be destroyed if the Department of Natural Resources goes through with the Beehive Timber Sale. This area was burned a hundred years ago in the Yacolt Burn, and has now regrown into a complex, natural forest full of both big living trees and ancient burned snags. Everywhere I went there was the constant sound of woodpeckers, and I frequently heard larger animals moving in the brush. It's quite clearly a wildlife hotspot, and is prime Northern Spotted Owl habitat.

Historic Ferry sinks in Astoria Harbor - Aerial Footage of Tourist II Wreck

On July 28th the historic ferry Tourist II partially sank in Astoria, Oregon. This ferry used to provide transportation between Astoria, OR, and Megler, Washington prior to the construction of the Astoria Bridge. Sadly, this historic vessel now rests in the briny harbor where it once proudly sailed, it's future uncertain. It's unknown what caused the ferry to sink, and cleanup operations are in progress.

Northern Pygmy Owl enjoys an elegant meal

Hunting during the middle of the day, Northern Pygmy Owls defy the stereotype of owns as a purely nocturnal predator. These tiny little 6-inch predators can take down prey far larger than themselves! 

Cedar Waxwing Courtship Ritual

 

When the cherry trees are blooming and the air is heady with the fragrances of spring, the Cedar Waxwings dance their elegant courtship ritual among the blossoms. The male plucks a petal, then gently hands the precious object to his mate, who hops away, then back and returns it to him. The male then in turn hops away, then back to return the petal, and so this goes as the two form a deep connection.

Wood Duck Family

 

As spring brushes its joyful green fingers across the verdant hills, a mother wood duck brings her brood out to play upon the quiet waters of an emerald pool, tucked away in the folds of the forest. Here in this idyllic green oasis of nature the ducklings may grow in peace, exploring their world and finding wonder in everything. 

Redwing blackbirds leaping on lilypads

I observed this unusual behavior being exhibited by the Redwing Blackbirds in a local pond. The wide floating leaves of the lily pads are just strong enough to support the weight of a blackbird, and so they hop from pad to pad in search of the larvae that dwell on the undersides of the leaves. This is the first time I've seen these birds exhibiting this behavior, and its quite amazing to watch!

Sunrise Burns away the Spring Frost

 

The warm sun of a spring morning rises over the frigid fields, burning away the frost left by the icy grip of winter. Crystals fall to shining pearlescent dew that gilds the fronds of new green grass like a billion jewels, stars shining in a green void as if embedded in an emerald cosmos. Soon the frost will no more silence the chorus of fogs, and birds will fill the sky with song. Spring has finally arrived.

Mavic 3 Cold Weather Test

 

The DJI Mavic 3 captures amazing photo and video quality, and is also capable of flying in temps as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. For this video I flew in weather approaching that level of extreme cold, and the Mavic 3 performed perfectly. 

Summit Lake Legacy Forest - Stop the Delica timber sale!

 

Summit Lake is the brilliant, crystalline gem of the Capitol Hills. Folded into the northern flank of that small, forested mountain range, Summit Lake is home to salmon and people alike, and both depend on its clear, clean water. That water quality is dependent on the wild forests that blanket its watershed, and unfortunately that water source from which people drink and in which salmon spawn is threatened by the "Delica" timber sale.

Beatty Creek Legacy Forests - Big Trees in Peril

 

The deep, quiet valley of Beatty Creek is one of the few wild valleys home to big trees and diverse, natural legacy forest left in the Capitol Hills. Here can be found a vibrant, native ecosystem largely untouched in over a century, with large remnant old growth trees that stood watch over the landscape long before Europeans set foot in the Pacific Northwest. Sadly, this beautiful forest is in imminent danger, as the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA DNR) has put most of the irreplaceable forest here on the chopping block. The Smuggler and Oracle timber sales should be canceled, and the forest granted the permanent protection it deserves.

Lowland prairie on a quiet winter day

 

In the mysteriously lumpy prairies of Western Washington, winter is a quiet and subdued season. Oak trees stand with twisted branches bare against the faltering light of January, and the marshes concealed beneath high water. Shadows race over the open plain and through the dense forests which so closely border it as low clouds scud quickly overhead.

The Razors Edge of Winter

 

The fine line between resplendent green foothills and snow laden alpine peaks is but a razors edge delineating the kodachrome world of color and the monochrome world of the mountain winterscape. In this thin limbo between snow and sleeping emerald forest, nature holds its breath, unsure of whether to wake or sleep, it waits for the battle between the warmth of the slumbering valley and the resolute chill of the sky to duke it out and settle the their differences. The war of the snowline rages on till spring brings reinforcements from the south to drive the winter the highest peaks to nurse its wounds and rally its forces for the inevitable turning of the earth to bring about its downward march once again.

Severe Flooding in the Pacific Northwest

Severe weather brought major flooding to the lowlands of Southwest Washington in the Pacific Northwest this week. Many roads were underwater, including a long stretch of the I-5 freeway. Towns such as Centralia, Chehalis, and Kelso were seriously affected. This natural disaster is the second of its kind to hit the region within the last few months, and such disasters are only likely to grow more devastating and frequent as climate change alters our global and regional weather patterns.

Aerial segments of this video were all filmed with the Mavic 3. The Nikon Z6 +70-200mm 2.8 S was used to film the clips captured from the ground. I really appreciated having the 7x optical zoom on the Mavic 3, as it was often impossible to get close to the flooding due to road closures and generally hazardous conditions.