Category: Photos by Peg

King Tide!?

Although you may recognize this as 3 Crabs Beach, it certainly didn’t appear like it back on December 30th of 2022.

We had a high tide of 9.13 feet that day, and although I’m not aware that it broke a record, it certainly appeared like it. I understood it to be a ‘King Tide’, but was curious as to whether the description was accurate.

While NOAA states that, ‘A King Tide is a non-scientific term people often use to describe exceptionally high tides’ whatever term you care to use, is fine with me. I found it incredibly inviting, and I was tempted to grab my kayak and paddle out, but as the sign indicates, the land and tide plains are protected; so I resisted, although of sinking the sign did come to mind…

ICM with Alders

A friend and fellow photographer and I took a lengthly drive on Blue Mountain Road a few years ago on a wintery day like today.

Like many other nature photographers, we sought to find inspiration to create unique images from what we found. And if you’ve driven Blue Mountain Road, you’ve may have found some photographic opportunities yourself (beyond the transfer station), e.g., the church, the rusted farm equipment, the Sears house, etc., just as we did.

But this particular day we were feeling creative, and therefore, experimented a bit with in camera movement (ICM) – a technique in which one zooms the lens forward and/or back to convey a sense of depth, and in this case, a bit a mystery as to how it was accomplished.

I hope you enjoy the end result, but if not, feel confident; the church, the rust, the house…they’re coming soon.

Hummingbird Habitat Mystery

Anna's Hummingbird

I’m not a fan of holly trees (other than their colorful berries) but this one served as a nice support for our hummingbirds over the past 6 years, and as a great spot for them to nest, regardless of their prickly leaves. Although the tree is in my neighbor’s backyard, I can reach it with my longest lens and get a nice portrait, as long as the bird cooperates.

But to my surprise, when I went to refresh my feeder the other day – the tree was gone – as if it had disappeared into thin air – and the bird, who dive-bombs me every time I fill the feeder was nowhere in sight.

As I found out later, my neighbor had the holly removed while we were out of town, without knowing its value from the hummer’s standpoint, and apparently not aware of it’s impact on my photography.

But the good news is, the hummer returned, I’m attempting to grow a new holly (in a pot that’s closer to my house), and I’m now getting to know the neighbor better – and he’s welcomed me to photograph his flowers.

Icy Weather Anniversary

I thought it was appropriate to post this today, since I photographed it February 7th of 2014, 11 years ago.

With a low of 18 degrees, it was a record cold day for Puget Sound which turned this and two other once flowing waterfalls at the Tulalip Resort Casino into walls of ice.

The resort, located in Quil Ceda Village, north of Seattle and 80 miles east of Sequim, is owned and operated by the Tulalip Tribes of Washington.

Located near the Seattle Premium Outlets (where I may have been shopping on this particular day), it’s a fun place to stop and not only try your luck, but to witness the forces of nature as well – that’s if you should be there on an 18 degree day.

Nest Watching

I love Sequim sunsets, especially when they’re silhouetted by an eagle’s nest as this one was.

Located on Towne Road, it’s set back a substantial distance, which makes it tough to get a good photo, even with a long lens. But therein lies the challenge not only for me, but for many other Sequim photographers.

From previous observation, our eagles begin mating in January, and since this nest was occupied last year, I’m suspecting that it will be again this year. So I’ve been watching daily for any nest building activity by the parents which in itself is entertaining, and if there’s a sunset to go with it, that’s even better.

The Eberle Barn

I don’t know the history or the current status of this Sequim icon, but I certainly enjoy seeing it everyday, and because I see it more as a work of art, I decided to treat it as such.

I hope you enjoy the end result and if you have some knowledge of the owners, etc., please share it with me, and thanks much!