Rain Shadow Country, Lavender Capitol of the USA~

The whole area along the Northeastern rim of Olympic National Park was such a highlight, just amazing beauty, the entire way.



After reading my summary, please remember to double click on the image, to view a larger slide show of the images shared

 

I am linking up with Mary for:
"Mosaic Monday"

at: 

 http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.

and

 

I am linking up with Stewart at:

   Wild Bird Wednesday

        (http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/)
 

 The scenes that unfolded, one more beautiful than the next, was ongoing throughout this entire Hoodsport, Washington bay front area~

I shared a single immature Bald Eagle in previous post and it was not alone. 
Less than a mile down the highway, I spotted some large birds perched in a tree. 
Some were preening, others just chilling. 
More juvenile/immature Bald Eagles. 
New ones flew in, as others left to hunt, and soar. 
It was a very busy morning at Hoodsport, and oh was I pleased~

Do you see what I see ;)

A single juvenile Bald Eagle perched on low drift wood, hunting. 
I was so, so close~

Once I got this close, and turned around to smile at the husby who was sitting with dogs in car, I noticed the Private Property sign, but I already had my images and so I left very quietly~

Such beauty everywhere along this shoreline, and then those dreaded red and white CLOSED gates!!!
This was the only glimpse that we got of Hurricane Ridge within the boundaries of Olympic National Park. 
I was beginning to feel a little sad about this time~

We had quite a bit of rain and almost always fog. 
At first I thought this was a Golden Eagle, and then realized later, it was a very soaked Western Red-tailed Hawk~

Living in the Rain Shadow...
The way the mountains and sea meet here in Sequim, it causes a Rain Shadow area, meaning with heavy rains all around, this area gets very little, and that is what it takes for the Lavender to grow.  
Lavender does not like wet feet ;) I was once told, when I tried to grow some.  Lavender...I have worn it for many years, I drink the tea, and use the soaps and lotions.  
I adore Lavender and so for many years, Sequim, Washington was on my radar.  
A small town, a lovely town and yes, I purchased some Lavender products for myself and gifts as well~

Port Angeles, Washington, and where the main entrance gates to Olympic National Park sits.  
For days we had planned to have the husby take a photograph of me at the entrance, but you may not believe this, but very true.  
We never saw the entrance gate, we got on a highway that took us down to these scenes and headed NW and somehow totally missed the gates ;(

There it is the sign that my dreams have held onto for 43 years...the road to the Pacific Northwest Rain Forests and we were not going to get in.  
The lump in my throat that day, was so heavy, words cannot express, yet we went to the gates and we did see beauty.  
That will be shared in coming posts next week~

Being it known that most images are taken from inside the car, there are times, when I get a great shot and also the blue tinted glass at top of windscreen...oops, oh well~

More images of the ride from Olympia, Washington, heading around the NE rim of the Olympic National Park, and making our way to the Pacific NW rim.

 

A friend of mine who lives in Washington, told us to be sure and check out Lake Crescent, and the trees covered in tree moss~

 How awesome these trees were and the lake was gorgeous~

 

 

Once again...we are puzzled...was thinking possibly Hooded Mergansers, but just not certain~