Sequim Daily Photo

Geese and friends

We first saw this scene at a considerable distance. Two big geese…and, what’s that? Goslings?? Wow! That’s sure a lot of them!

So I wandered overland (Shhhhh! Through private property…). I got as close as I could and this was the best shot. As I approached, some of the “goslings” scattered. Then I got home and put the flock up on my screen for a better look. Canada geese, of course. One is nestled into the grass. Goslings? No way. American wigeons. And once I identified them I realized I’d heard their high pitched “whee” as they chatted among themselves.

Good thing I’ve never pretended any expertise.

Like a duck…

This handsome mallard stood watch while his mate first pecked around for food on land and then headed into the water for a bath. I rather liked his mirrored reflection.

Neighborhood bulls

It never fails to tickle me that there is a scene like this within blocks of the main street through town.

Clearing skies

It’s always a welcome sight to see the sun burst through the clouds. And it often means the Olympic Mountains make an appearance, too.

More triangles

Here’s an “also ran” shot for this week’s challenge theme of “triangles.” As the snow melts through summer these triangles of the Olympic Mountains will be less evident.

Port Gamble day tripping

Here is a look at Port Gamble, the sweet little town where yesterday’s Camperdown elm tree grows. We have driven through Port Gamble many times enroute to and from the Kingston-Edmonds ferry but only recently stopped to look around.

Port Gamble is a privately owned National Historic Landmark, the oldest continuously operating mill town in North America. Founded in 1853, it was operated by Pope & Talbott until 1995. The town has a New England look to it, enhanced by its setting at the edge of Port Gamble Bay. Port Gamble is about 40 miles east of Sequim, not far beyond the Hood Canal Bridge.

The church in the top collage is a popular location for weddings. In addition to a cafe in the General Store, above left, another cafe serves afternoon tea. A museum is located below the General Store; it is open May through September. There are other small shops in the area around the General Store and Post Office (bottom right). The Post Office Building also houses a community theater.

The Camperdown elm

We discovered this amazing elm tree recently when we explored the little town of Port Gamble not far from the Hood Canal Bridge. I was pleased that winter had stripped away the leaves that would hide the amazing twists and turns of the tree’s branches. It looks like something imagined in a Harry Potter book. Here’s what a nearby sign says about the Camperdown elm:

State Champion Camperdown Elm
It was in 1840 that the “Earl of Camperdown” in Dundee Scotland noticed a branch growing on the floor of his elm forest. He grafted it to a Scotch Elm tree and it took hold producing the first Camperdown Elm. The Scotch Elm is the only root mass the Camperdown Elm will grown on. The tree is a mutant and cannot self produce. Every Camperdown Elm tree in the world is part of the original and they must be grafted to a Scotch Elm tree to get started. When the graft starts to grow, the Scotch Elm branches are cut off leaving only Camperdown Elm. This magnificent tree depends on humankind to keep it alive as a species…This tree was planted in 1875. It measures 20 ft. in height with a 26 ft. crown and a 7 ft. circumference.

A rain squall prevented my taking more detailed shots (and it deposited a big drop in the middle of my lens). I’d like to visit this tree again from time to time and see it in other seasons.