Category: Animals

Yes, we were a little nervous…

Yes, we were a little nervous…

On a dayhike up to Martins Park above Low Divide (between the Elwha and North Fork Quinault river valleys in the Olympic National Park), we saw this black bear browsing the fresh greens. We were a little nervous … the above photo was taken with a normal lens … not a telephoto. But we had seen black bears a number of times before and hadn’t found them aggressive. Regardless, we didn’t stay around to do any bear watching. Our nervousness increased quite dramatically when the bear followed us for a mile or so down to near where our campsite was at Low Divide. We took special care to bear proof our food that night.

9

O’Neil Creek Camp

Elk O’Neil Creek Camp

If you are hiking to the Enchanted Valley on the East Fork Quinault River in the Olympic National Park, O’Neil Creek Camp is a nice easy mid-way camp at 6.7 miles (10.8 km). The river has wandered back and forth across the valley and there are nice sandy spots and fewer mosquitoes on the river bed than you find under the trees where the campsites are located. You can play with the rocks (or enjoy the work of others who have) or, if you’re lucky, watch the elk.

East Fork Quinault Henge (temporary installation)
0

Montana Grizzly Bear

Montana Grizzly Bear

This was taken after the first snowfall of the season (in September) near the visitor center on the east side of the summit of Logan Pass on the Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier National Park. It was digging for food … just a last snack before hibernation. Not sure if it was after roots or a marmot.

9

Hoh River Elk

Hoh River Elk

These elk were along the road going up the Hoh River towards the Hoh River Ranger Station in the Olympic National Park. They are pretty much used to people and don’t scare up easy. I was glad to have a fairly good stand of water between me and them, just for whatever deterrent it provided. (mostly keeping people away from the elk, not the other way around)

7

Young Buck

Young Buck

Well, I guess this isn’t such a young buck … maybe 4 years old … but it wasn’t very large. He was wandering around in Fort Worden State Park. Even the bucks are used to people and aren’t as skittish as they typically are in the National Forest (for example). And without any natural enemies (except auto traffic), they numbers are way too high … so they attack my hydrangeas and fuchsias for a snack.

3

Create a website or blog at WordPress.com

Up ↑