Summertime at Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

In the shadows of stunning Mt. Shasta lies a beautiful National Wildlife Refuge known as the Lower Klamath NWR.  It's an amazing, amazing place to see wildlife and beautiful scenery along with its sister NWR, Tule Lake.  

Before we get started, you can check out my previous posts from Lower Klamath during the Pacific Migration in the Winter and Spring Here and Here!

But in this post, we'll focus on the vistas of the sweeping landscapes that make up this Northern California area and some of the birds that live here.

Such as Great Egret

Every time I'm out here I'm struck by how artful nature is.  Is that a word?  You turn a corner and there's a watercolor painting right in front of you.

Another amazing and eventful day in Northern California.  Be sure to read my next few posts for some "animal closeups" including a beautiful coyote that just loved posing for me!

xoxo

Nikon D600

Macros to Mountains - Alongside a Very Colorful Lake! Lake Shastina California

In my previous post, I talked a little about mental health and self-care.  I'm not going to talk too much today.  I did have to have my baby, Ellie, put to sleep as he was very far gone with what we are pretty sure was stomach/intestinal cancer.  

So, I'm just going to give a brief overview of the end of my road trip to Washington.  I tried, but failed, to drive the entire trip without sleep.  I used to be able to do such things when I was younger, but not anymore. 

So I had to stop and get some sleep, which I did at the Klamath rest stop off I-5 just inside Cali.  I woke up to a beautiful morning with a soft rain falling and sun rays showing through the clouds.  It was absolutely beautiful and refreshing.  

I walked around in the rain for a little bit to wake up more fully, and then hit the road.  However I had to stop again at the Weed airport because I was still a bit sleepy.  Since it was not raining, I took the opportunity to take some photos to help me wake up.  

And then, since I was already behind schedule from having to sleep, I decided to detour to see what Lake Shastina is all about.  I have seen the signs for this place while driving to the Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges, but didn't really know what it was. 

There were some interesting sights along the way. 

Of course, this being the Mount Shasta area, there are a lot of small cinder-cone shaped hills around.  

In my search for Lake Shastina, I actually went too far (there is only one small turn off and it looks like it's to enter some country-estates like area) so I got some good views of the surrounding country and stately Mt. Shasta underneath it's cloudy blanket.  

But luckily I checked my gps, backtracked and found the "lake".  It looked completely dried up (but was it?) but the colors in the grassy lakebed were amazing!  This is the view from the campground (now day use only) area there. 

This is a special place for me...  My outdoor bathroom.  lol  Sorry, but it was so beautiful I had to take a photo to commemorate the occasion. 

Then I found a dirt road that went alongside the lake so I knew I must follow it.  haha  My poor car.  

This was the hillside to my left and the lake bed was on my right.  

On this side, the colors were even more vibrant.  

I soon found that it was because there were small streams of water still over here.  If you look across the lake in this next picture, you can see the boat ramp just under the cinder-cone hill towards the right and a blue expanse of shallow water. 

I just love all of the cone-shaped hills in this area!  It's really amazing, especially with the cloud banks from the storm. 

After this, I drove all the way back down the dirt road (because I didn't know if I could get around the lake if I kept going or how far it would be), through the campground, and up the road to the boat ramp to see the water.  

This is the view from the top of the boat ramp.  

I drove to about here---------------------------↓

And this is Shasta from the boat ramp.  :)

Just before getting back on I-5 I made a pit stop and took a few more macros of some interesting flower stalks I found. 

That's all for now.  Love yourself and always keep fighting.

xoxo

Nikon D600

Trip to Montesano, Washington - 2016

Not going to lie...today has been a hard day.  My oldest brother, Robert (or Bob as he's known in Washington) had to have emergency surgery for a burst appendix and he isn't doing well today.  I went up to see him just after his birthday last year (that is so weird to say as it's just after New Year's) so, in his honor, and out of my love for him, I'm going to post the photos from that trip.

As usual, I crammed a LOT into a very brief trip.  12-14 hour drive each way, a blown-up phone, and 2 1/2 days of family time.  

So here is day one - The Drive:

I wanted to start very early in the night/morning, but due to the health problems I've been 'enjoying' since March of 2016, it didn't happen.  However, I did get to the Sutter Buttes just in time for sunrise!

Next stop:  Weed Airport rest area, home of a thousand blackbirds.

Talk about an angry bird!

Due to the numerous forest fires burning, Mount Shasta and Black Butte were shrouded in haze.  

Notice all the mounds at the bottom of the picture...it's such a fascinating geological area! 

Here's another view of the ones to the northwest of the mountain. 

Next stop was the Medford LDS Temple, which: Newsflash!  Is not actually in Medford, Oregon!

It's a pretty building, but it didn't have the grandiose look that I usually expect from LDS temples.  /shallow 

 There was also a really cool abandoned-looking ranch just down the road that I couldn't resist!

Such a beautiful day!

Next I made a quick detour to drive by Table Mountain.  I will go to hike this place next summer!

Looking south was an awesome view of Mt. Mcloughlin. 

Time was really dragging for reasons I will not go into here.  So I tried to not stop until I got to the Portland LDS temple.  

This is an absolutely stunning temple; one of the most gorgeous in my opinion.  And it's surrounded by beautiful woods and gardens.  So I took a lot of pictures (including some for others as it turns out) in this gorgeous and spiritual setting.

I'm going to do a more in-depth post about LDS temples that I've visited so I won't post all my photos here.  Just a few to illustrate it's beauty.

One last photo of a beautiful flower...

...and then I had to hit the road!!

I was hours late with a dead phone.  And then to compound matters, I got a little lost! Booo!  And couldn't call anyone.  I finally made it about 3 hours behind schedule with a very anxious niece and daughter waiting for word of me!  

But I made it into the arms of my loving family, safe and sound.  

xoxo

Nikon D3300