January 12, 2013 - A Day Spent Outside in the Cold!

Across the Arid Lands Ecology Reserve

Along the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River

Common Merganser, on the Yakima River

Today was another beautiful day.  My husband and I spent the afternoon driving past the Arid Lands Ecology Reserve by Hanford.  We saw a good percentage of the elk herd there - easily 200 animals, plus a couple of coyotes that seemed to be just hanging out with the elk.  Hopeful, foolish, or???

 

We then headed across Vernita bridge to a section of the Hanford Reach - the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River.  We found a beautiful piece of petified wood that had been washed downriver, and enjoyed checking out several places the beavers had been at work cutting down trees. 

 

Then, off to the Yakima River at Horn Rapids.  That's where the above photo was taken.  It was later in the afternoon, and all the colors were so vibrant.  There were lots of birds in the area, though most were photographer shy.  (We were out walking, at this point - no car to use as a blind.)  But the walk felt wonderful.  Cold air, sunshine, and incredible beauty, from sumac clusters to the river itself.

 

I am, perhaps, most especially blessed in having a husband who knows what I am doing with this blog, why I am doing it, and is willing to take me all over the area, just to see, to look at the light, to discover what I can capture in pixels, and then share with you.  For him I am very thankful!