I was dismayed when I spotted this gray whale during our visit to Depoe Bay. That deep gash looked horrible. However, I found out she is a local whale star and is doing quite well regardless.
It is believed that she got her wound from an exploding harpoon sometime between 1985 and 1988. Notice the orange coloration of the scar, this is whale lice, a crustacean that eats dead skin and is actually beneficial to the whale.
Scarback is an old female, at least in her late 40s according to the whale experts in Depoe Bay. Most gray whales live to be 40–60 years old. She continues to give birth raising many calves. The locals call her a cougar because she has young males chasing her. Was a treat watching her most of the days we were at Depoe Bay.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Tags: Scarback Scarback the Whale whale gray whale Depoe Bay Oregon
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Another shot of the wet white-phase black bear cub that I had the pleasure to watch and aim at in the Kananaskis. The cub wanted to nurse but mom was focused on refueling. One of the other cubs approaching on the other side of mom. Hope they are all doing well.
Hope your weekend is off to a great start!
Tags: Bear Black Bear Black Bear White-Phase cub Bear Cubs Kananaskis
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As Mt. Rainier is called by us local mountain lovers.
An early morning view from about halfway up the Pinnacle Peak trail. A couple more views in comments.
Standing at 14,410 feet tall, Mount Rainier isn’t just the tallest mountain in the Cascades—it’s also the highest mountain in the entire state and fifth tallest in the lower 48 states.
Geothermal heat from the volcano keeps areas of both crater rims free of snow and ice, and has formed the world’s largest volcanic glacier cave network within the ice-filled craters, with nearly 2 miles of passages.
A small crater lake about 130 by 30 feet in size and 16 feet deep, the highest in North America with a surface elevation of 14,203 feet, occupies the lowest portion of the west crater below more than 100 feet of ice and is accessible only via the caves.
Now wouldn't that be a fun photo shoot visiting the lake thru those caves? Send pics when you do.
As always many thanks for your comments, faves and support.
Tags: Mt. Rainier Mt Tahoma Mt Tacoma volcano stratovolcano Cascade Mountains Pinnacle Peak Trail Mt. Rainier National Park Washington
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This is the view looking to the right of my last post (shown below).
A rather well named peak huh? Easy to remember. I enjoyed hiking the edge of it's steep cliffs and absorbing the tremendous views in any direction.
This was taken a couple hours after the image below, which did catch some bright dawn rays. Horrible light to shoot into, but I had to have this view for my memory at that moment as well, so here tis. My pp skills are still still rudimentary so the skies are blown out. PS5 is on my wish list.
I overslept in our truck camper and missed the prime sunup time. I had to hike roughly a mile thru snow and lots of mud to get here from the camper. My bad. I left Karen and the 3 dogs snoozing cozily. I'm more a sunset shooter myself for that reason. Intend on doing better this year at capturing the days's first warm light.
We had the pleasure and liberty of having this setting to ourselves for 2 days. Prime nature to recharge our souls.
Thanks for taking a look. Always appreciated.
Tags: Table Mountain Lion Rock Ellensburg Cle Elum Washington hikes alone Explore
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One of the many hot pools in the Yellowstone's Midway Geyser Basin. One of the highlights of a visit to this special park.
"Hot springs are the most common hydrothermal features in the park. Their plumbing has no constrictions. Superheated water cools as it reaches the surface, sinks, and is replaced by hotter water from below. This circulation, called convection, prevents water from reaching the temperature needed to set off an eruption. Many hot springs give rise to streams of heated water."
Wikipedia
Tags: Midway Geyser Basin Yellowstone National Park Wyoming geothermal Opal Pool
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