Another object-in-tree story

Elm near Sylvester Park

When I first saw this I thought it was a gypsy moth trap, but its placement doesn't seem consistent with what I could find about current eradication efforts, so I'm stumped. Now I wish I had inspected more closely.

Survivor

Beaver Burn, 1985

A stalwart cedar stands among the snags and undergrowth of an old forest fire in Olympic National Park. Taken July 4th along the Staircase Rapids trail.

Prop me up!

Elderly tree on the West Capitol Campus

At least a couple of the older trees on the campus have one or more posts supporting their ancient, heavy lower branches. At it's age, this tree has certainly survived many storms and I like to think it has witnessed a never ending parade of events -- leisurely strolls, political rallies and demonstrations, office worker lunches, whispered conversations, posing for photographers.

In the background, you can just make out a winding river of 4,000 metal wheat stalks that are part of the state's World War II Memorial. I'll post at least one more photo of that memorial sometime in the next few days.

Morning light

Beside the Staircase Ranger Station

Taken the morning of July 4th, heading out for a hike on the Staircase Rapids Trail in Olympic National Park.

The light in the forest

Staircase Rapids Trail

Taken the morning of July 4th in Olympic National Park. Staircase is a very popular hiking destination on the Olympic Peninsula. The trail begins at Staircase Ranger Station, about an hour and a half drive from Olympia.