Looks like a bad hair day, but actually the wind was howling....

This is reddest bear I've seen. He had quite a swagger and attitude.

Thanks for taking a look.

Tags:   Grizzly bear bear Yellowstone National Park Explore

© All Rights Reserved

Looking at Cascade Mountain from the sign display at the Banff Gondola parking lot. Cascade is 1 of the 2 iconic peaks that surround Banff, Mt. Rundle being the other.

The mountain was named in 1858 by James Hector after the waterfall or cascade on the southern flanks of the peak. Before that it had been called Stoney Chief.

Enjoy a wonderful Spring (or autumn for my friends down under) weekend!

Tags:   Cascade Mountain Banff Alberta Canada mountain peak

© All Rights Reserved

A nicely located picnic table on the Oregon edge of the Hell's Canyon. Idaho in view on the other side.

The canyon didn't get its name from the depth of the canyon walls. It had more to do with the wild journey boats had to endure to travel thru the canyon. In the 1880s, copper and gold were discovered in the Seven Devils on the Idaho side of the Snake River. Due to it's many turbulent rapids mules were used to haul the gold out rather than boats, until the mines ran out.

Idaho has 2 rivers that were given treacherous names. The other is the Salmon River, which is known as "The River of No Return." Lewis and Clark tried to cross it, but gave up instead going further north to find a passage west.

Love those canyons they create.

Enjoy a wonderful Wednesday!

Tags:   Hell's Canyon Snake River picnic table scenic view Oregon Idaho

© All Rights Reserved

We drove up in the wee morning hours hoping to catch some morning glory on the ridge. Alas as we climbed ever higher the fog set in. The fog was so thick I couldn't see much beyond my truck hood. Quite the surprise when I almost ran into the Visitor Center shown here.
We parked the truck camper in this spot and settled in hoping the fog would lift. And it shortly did. This is a shot as it started to clear this amazing ridge. The ooohhs and aaahhhs began. Spent a wonderful day hiking about hunting for shots, visiting with other smiling hikers and watching the many black-tailed deer. A rather fine day indeed!

Thanks for taking a look. Your visits are always appreciated.

Tags:   Hurricane Ridge Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center Olympic National Park Washington

© All Rights Reserved

Sol Duc Falls is by most accounts one of the most photogenic waterfalls in Washington State and by proxy is one of the most sought out waterfalls by photographers - and chances are it ranks favorably nationwide in similar comparisons. Set within the thick temperate rain forest of the Olympic Mountains, the Sol Duc River creates one of the more uniquely shaped waterfalls in the northwest where it splits into as many as four channels - depending on the volume of the river - hurtling 37 feet off the side of a cliff into a narrow canyon, followed by an 11 foot flume-style drop as the river exits the canyon into a broader gorge below.

Prior to 1991 the accepted spelling of all features bearing this name was Soleduck (sometimes spelled Solduck as well). The Washington State Board of Geographic Names approved the change to Sol Duc because of its more accurate translation from the Quillayute word, meaning "magic waters."
re: waterfallsnorthwest

It truly is enchanting!

A few more angles on this special falls in the comments.

Happy Friday!

Tags:   Magic Waters Sol Duc Falls Soleduck Quillayutes Olympic Mountains Olympic National Park waterfalls rainforest Washington

© All Rights Reserved