Our World in Images

Nooksack River Part 2 – The History and Current State of the River

January 3, 2019 RonK 5

Spawning Salmon in tributary creek to the Nooksack In Part 1 of this series I described the Nooksack River from its headwaters in the North Cascade Mountains through its course to the Salish Sea. I […]

The Nooksack River – a Treasure to Preserve

September 8, 2018 RonK 4

I’ve written of conservation efforts to preserve our local PNW waters and the salmonids that spawn and live in these streams. In these posts I have periodically mentioned the Nooksack but I have not featured […]

A Tree for all Seasons and its Phenology from Solstice to Solstice.

June 28, 2018 RonK 8

I have a favorite tree. It is a Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea). The scarlet designation comes from its bright fall red foliage that will be apparent when we get to October. Fierce 5+

A Creek Preservation Project on Earth Day 2018 & When is a plant a weed?

May 9, 2018 RonK 7

Canyon Creek, Whatcom Co., WA State April 22, 2018 (Earth Day) There were so many Earth Day activities to attend that I had some difficulty choosing which to spend my day with. I chose […]

Ocean and Beach Plastic Pollution Locally and Globally

April 17, 2018 RonK 9

A derelict sail boat washed up on a local beach from a winter storm a couple of years ago. It is polluting the beach and bay as it sheds particles from its fiberglass hull. […]

The Columbia River Rolling Into the Pacific Ocean -Part 2,

February 26, 2018 RonK 5

We left off in Part 1 at Celilo Falls and The Dalles Dam, the last dam before the river meets the ocean. This remaining portion of the river’s journey is also spectacular although the landscape takes on […]

“Roll on Columbia” The River that Drains the Pacific Northwest – Part I

February 17, 2018 RonK 6

I grew up along this river in the Tri-City area and have had occasion to travel along much if its1,200 mile course from British Columbia to its mouth where it joins the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River […]

Sharing a Salmon Lunch with a Bald Eagle

January 22, 2018 RonK 9

Along the salmon spawning creeks and rivers of the west coast, winter is spawning time for salmon and gorging time for eagles. And it is great for us as well to watch them play out their age […]

Snowy Owls and Trumpeter Swans are Snow Birds to the Pacific Northwest

December 5, 2017 RonK 8

Juvenile female Snowy Owl, Sandy Point WA November/December, 2017 At the Edge of the Salish Sea These two snowy white birds have recently returned to our area after summering and breeding in Alaska (Trumpeter […]

Fall Colors and Mountain Goats in the Mt. Baker Wilderness Area

October 13, 2017 RonK 6

North Cascades Mountain Goat (Oreamnos america) grazing on huckleberries and grasses on a warm October afternoon. What a beautiful specimen, well muscled with thick lustrous white fur and appearing very well fed. Mount Baker Wilderness Area, […]