Big Rocks

Big Rocks

This big overhanging rock lives along the Staircase Loop Trail (about a 2 mile loop) in the southeast corner of the Olympic National Park. The trail is heavily used, especially in the summer when the campground at Staircase fills up. It’s a great walk through old growth forest without much elevation gain.

I have visited the area year ’round and have wondered if the overhang provides shelter for any critters during inclement weather … besides hikers. I’ve never seen any, but I expect that critters leave when hikers show up.

Rocks, Ridges, Trees and Clouds

Rocks, Ridges, Trees and Clouds

One last shot (in this series) from the trip to Hurricane Ridge (Olympic National Park) earlier this month. I liked the way the rocky area curves around and then follows the tree covered ridge.

River Otter

River Otter

I was walking along the beach at Fort Worden State Park (Port Townsend, WA) when a river otter came out of the water and climbed up onto the rocks in front of me. It seemed fairly unconcerned with my taking photos, but did keep watching me. Fine with me … eye contact is good.

Fossil Falls

Fossil Falls

Fossil Falls Recreation Site is on Highway 395 between Lone Pine and Ridgecrest, California.

There aren’t any fossils, except the falls. An interesting geological feature. A good example of differential weathering.

Bristlecone and Rock

Bristlecone and Rock
Bristlecone and Rock 2

This Bristlecone Pine was growing right on top of a rock pile. My guess is that at one point in the past, the soil was present on top of the rock and has since eroded. The erosion of soil around the root systems is one of the causes of death for bristlecones. That’s one of the reasons that they request visitors to stay on the pathways: to keep erosion to a minimum.

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