light and snow

The solstice is just around the corner. The light in the sky tends to be a good indicator of the season changing from warm to cold; dynamic clouds and soft sunrises. One thing is for sure, snow in the mountains means it's winter.

Highway 101, near Lake Crescent.

Looking East, between Kingston and Edmonds.

Dirtyface, Lake Wenatchee.

dark months

We are coming to the end of the dark months. Winter is a time for short sessions outside with retreats into warm homes, hot beverages, and hearty meals. Though the hours of the day are small, the moments spent in the light are that much more memorable.

Vancouver Island across the Strait. 

Upper Elwha River.

Boot packing in the Olympics.

Somewhere in Canada.

Grays Harbor and the Olympics.

Boot packing for waves.

Bailey Range, from Hurricane Ridge.

hockey

The west coast experienced some pretty cold weather recently. Clear, dry, and cold. There's a pond in town that doesn't get much sunlight during the winter. A week of freezing temperatures turned it into a hockey rink.

planting

Winter is the time to get plants in the ground. Energy is stashed in the roots as they establish themselves in the soil. The trick is keeping your hands warm and mind occupied.

Lake Mills.

Small crew, big reservoir.

Tools of the trade.

Givin' the trees some love.

White Pine.

winter surf

Surfing Washington in the winter involves many things. Long drives on the 101, checking out big trees, and plenty of ding repair. After consuming a certain amount of glassy waves and ridiculous scenery with your closest friends, the days begin to blur together like forgetting to focus a frame with a rangefinder. It's as good a reason as any to shoot a few photos.

Unknown cover-up at Hobuck Beach.

A good place to look for a wave.

Rock baseball, waiting for the push, Rialto Beach.

Big Cedar.

A Hemel dinger.

There is low wind and there is no wind.

Getting a grip for the hike.

Hello, Canada.

Get on it.

Port Angeles.

Hangin' with the boys.

A good reason to stay.

smiles

Smile on the mountain, the road, and the beach.
Smile with a face of deep snow stupor.
Smile because it's important.

winter

Washington takes a little while for winter to really feel like winter. On nice days it's easy to forget it's January. Here are a few reminders:

White Pass, New Years Eve.

Clouds on the Strait, snow on the Olympics.

Empty road to La Push.

Hoar frost on the van.

A placid Lake Crescent.

Whiteout at Hurricane Ridge.

The Mountain.