What’s around that corner?

What’s around that corner?

I like this photo because as this trail (yes, it’s a trail, not a road) curves around the shoulder of the hill, there is a sense of wonder: what’s up ahead? It provides some visual tension. That’s a good thing in a photo. (usually)

Also, this photo is from the Hurricane Hill trail in the Olympic National Park. It was converted to an ADA compliant trail a few years back to enable access to the high country with those folks with mobility issues. Since the trailhead is near the end of the Hurricane Ridge road, it also means that you are over 5200 feet high (1.6 KM), without having to hike up that elevation. Thus, as one gets older, there is still easy access to the high country in the Olympics, especially when I’m carrying along a bunch of photo equipment.

Subalpine Birds

Gray Jay 1

I took these photos up at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park recently. It was a gray day with heavy cloud cover. There is a nice paved road all the way up and the views are spectacular (even in cloudy weather; see recent posts … including the ones coming up). It’s over 5000′ … so one of the few places you can drive to the high country in the Olympics (the other being Deer Park). That elevation is in the subalpine zone in the Olympics … and there aren’t as many bird types up there as in lower areas. A couple of the regulars are shown here: Gray Jays (AKA Canada Jays or “Camp Robbers”) and Blue Grouse (AKA Sooty Grouse). (Missing were ravens and hawks)

Blue Grouse
Gray Jay 2

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