Category: Photos by Peg

The Dungeness Spit

A mid-day Walk on the Dungeness Spit

If you’re new to Sequim and haven’t experienced walking “the Spit”, like most of us, don your hiking boots, grab your poles and pack water. 

Although the majority of 1/2 mile forest trail leading to the spit from the parking lot is beautiful and relatively flat, once you approach the bluff things get tougher as you descend down the hill. The walk back up can be a struggle too, especially for anyone with joint issues. (Unfortunately, if you’re wheelchair bound, or need assistance, I know of no other way of getting to beach, other than by kayak, which of course can be challenging as well).

Once on the beach, prepare yourself for a 5-mile walk to the lighthouse if that’s your goal…no, I haven’t done it – and I have a kayak and I still haven’t done it! 

However, visiting the lighthouse was/is not my goal. Like many others, I prefer to walk the spit in search of shorebirds and wildlife, e.g., otters, loons, eagles (at least one pair nests in a tree near the picnic area parking lot), oyster catchers, etc, and to photograph the cliffside, the driftwood, and the view from the bluff.

And be it known that we have President Woodrow Wilson to thank for establishing the refuge on January 20, 1915, and for ensuring that our native bird population has a place to breed and thrive.

If I’ve kept your attention thus far, please visit the U.S. Forest Service website for more information, before you venture out, and whatever you do, DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!

The World is Your Oyster

Workers Shucking Oysters

On the way to Gray’s Harbor and the Washington coast in May 2020, spotting these workers was a “Stop the car, now!” moment for me and I was fortunate when they agreed to pose, although they were quite surprised that I was interested in photographing them at all.

Given that it was a very warm day with little wind, I couldn’t help but think about the smell emanating from the massive pile of shells surrounding them and I wondered how they could possibly tolerated it, especially in the heat.

Clearly, shelling oysters would not be on my list of things to do before I die, but had I desperately needed a job, and this was the only option…well, maybe. 

But with that said, I’ve never been in that position, so indeed the world truly has been my oyster, as defined by Google: “the world is your oyster” means that you can do anything you wish or go anywhere you want in your life because you have the ability to do so. In spoken English, it is quite widely used to encourage someone that they have choices and can lead their lives in a way that they desire.

And although I despise eating oysters, I’m blessed to have had choices, and I hope you have too.

Catching Up…

California Poppies on a Misty Morning

While scratching my head as to what to post for today, it occurred to me that several of you asked about California poppies and since we see them very frequently here, they deserve some attention as well.

Maybe, to you, the golden tones of their petals are a reminder of the golden state and fond memories of the home you left behind, or maybe a childhood memory of fields of them lighting up a hillside?

Whatever the reason or emotion, they’re beautiful and this particular grouping certainly captured my interest. Although I photographed it years ago, it’s a lovely reminder of my walk with a friend (from California!) on the levee trail here in Sequim.

I hope they bring back fond memories for you as well.

Seafood Anyone?

Pike Place Fish Market

Since we’ll be headed to Seattle in the morning to transport a friend to Virginia Mason, via the ferry, I got to thinking about the last time I was there. Another friend and I nearly choked when we saw the price of seafood offered in the market and as you can see for yourself, those prices are choke-worthy!

But to try and justify the price, I tell myself that this is/was fresh seafood, as fresh as it can get, and the market is a huge tourist attraction that commands huge crowds from all over the world, not only for the product offerings, but for the experience, e.g., the chance to see clerks throw fish at each other!

There’s value in throwing fish, I know, I tried it as a child and I’ll never forget the end result, but then, I was attempting to throw it in the trash without being detected. I did the same with my mom’s attempt at boiled okra but then the whole family did the same.

In the market, tossing fish is photo-worthy; people cheer and clap even if the fish falls to the floor. Then they shell out big bucks to ship it to family and/or friends while fully aware that those people have Costcos nearby!

But then if you should think about tossing fish about in Costco, I must warn you…they have a catch and release policy but you’ll still feel a hook!

In the Pink

Common Mullein

Because I’d forgotten the name of this beautiful plant, I Googled it, and for some reason, not everyone is as fond of it as me…some westerners actually refer to it as “cowboy toilet paper”!

Personally, I can only envision using it for that purpose when in desperate circumstances, with absolutely no alternative, but since the Sears catalog is no longer in print, I suppose that could happen…but where? Certainly not here in prim and proper Sequim!

But, I did find this lovely specimen in a local resident’s garden; mind you, it was far from anything that resembled a Sani-can though and the gardener never mentioned “the unmentionable”.

So with that said, I hope you find it as lovely as I did, and that you’ll appreciate its unique beauty and its “tissue-like” petals. Hmmmm….

Jamestown Beach

Jamestown Beach Driftwood Sculpture Echoes Mt. Baker

With Mt. Baker as a backdrop, many find it difficult to not love our beaches, and notably, the views on Jamestown Beach are one of the main reasons why.

While at times, the “aroma” can be a bit intense, this beach is a Mecca for not only scenery, but local residents, visitors, and their dogs of every breed, size and shape. And if you’re not accompanied by a dog, then you may be searching for agates, sea shells, driftwood, shorebirds, raptors, ducks, Dungeness crab, or maybe even clams.

Whatever your beach passion, you’re sure to indulge it here and take those memories home with you in a bucket, your back pocket, or maybe on camera’s SD card, or your phone. Regardless, it makes living on the peninsula so spectacular and life here so enviable.

Memorial Day

In Tribute to the Fallen

As veterans, Memorial Day is a tough day for many of us; for those of us who served in the military, and/or for those that had family members who served, or for anyone who has been touched by war.

As a child, I recall attending parades and watching as troops marched in solemn unison through the streets of my tiny military town while we all bowed our heads in respect and some wept. It was a sacred day, and for those who said, “Happy Memorial Day,” I often wondered why ‘happy’ since it was anything but.

Sequim didn’t disappoint in recognizing the fallen though and held a memorial tribute at the Guy Cole Center at Carrie Blake Park Friday afternoon, that I hope you were able to attend. If not, a visit to a local gravesite to express condolences may be in your plan.

But regardless, when and if you see red poppies blowing in the fields today, you’ll now know why (thanks to a quote from Google) they serve as a symbol of Veteran’s and Memorial Day and why they are so meaningful:

“After WW1 when the battlefields began to recover from their horrors, the red poppy was the first flower to grow and bloom. Its beauty of filling fields where death had taken place meant it came to represent rebirth and recovery and this is its symbolism.”