pacific halibut
Summer always brings crowds out to La Push. But we were a bit surprised when we pulled into the campground the first weekend in May. It seemed the boats, and they were nice boats, outnumbered the campers by a fair margin. A clue as to why should have been the many references to “Halibut…” this or that.
After we got camp set up we walked over to the Quileute Marina to get a better view of them. Having spent a few years on deck of a commercial fishing vessel I always enjoy checking out the other guys’ boats and rigs. There were a few boats that seemed a bit ‘shaky’ but most were in the enviable range!
It was late and I couldn’t find anyone to ask about what the catch was, but back at basecamp a bit of Googling lead to the fact that it was the Pacific Halibut opener this weekend. Apparently, this was going to be a bumper year for them, as the quota was increased for the 2019 season. Recreational halibut seasons announced today by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) are based on a statewide quota of 277,100 pounds, up by an average of 19 percent over the past three years.
They certainly seemed to have lucked out with the weather; calm and sunny.
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We had spent the day in the field collecting data enduring heavy rains. Towards sunset, the sky turned dark and ominous but then, the mountain behind camp lit up with sunshine. Great ending to a great day.⠀ ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnw #washington #washingtonstate #pacificnorthwest #pnwonderland #nature #optoutside #washingtonexplored #science #upperleftusa #olympicpeninsula #beach #cascadiaexplored #wildlife #explorewashington #conservation #pnwlife #washingtonweed #wacoast #washingtonstatefair #naturephotography #washingtonnationals #washingtontrails #wander #hiking #olympicnationalpark @washingtondiscovered #WildOlympics @nextstop24 #nextstop24traveler #getwildandscenic @adventurescientists
Wild and Scenic Rivers Project - I just published an article over on the website outlining our latest citizen-science project. You can find the link in my bio. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnw #washington #washingtonstate #pacificnorthwest #pnwonderland #nature #optoutside #washingtonexplored #science #upperleftusa #olympicpeninsula #beach #cascadiaexplored #wildlife #explorewashington #conservation #pnwlife #washingtonweed #wacoast #washingtonstatefair #naturephotography #washingtonnationals #washingtontrails #wander #hiking #olympicnationalpark @washingtondiscovered #WildOlympics @nextstop24 #nextstop24traveler
I just published an article detailing our latest adventure which describes our explorations through Ancient Lakes. You can find the link in my bio up top.
Super moon over Point of Arches on Washington’s Outer Coast.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnwonderland #pnw #thenwadventure #upperleftusa #pnwdiscovered #cascadiaexplored #pnwparadise #optoutside #wildernessculture #wanderwashington #pacificnorthwest #pnwlife #YourShotPhotographer #keepitwild #pnwphotographer #lifeofadventure #exploretocreate #beautifuldestinations #hikingadventures #wanderlust #thatpnwlife #explorewashington #roamtheplanet #thegreatpnw #photooftheday #washingtonexplored @washingtondiscovered @nextstop24 #nextstop24traveler #WildOlympics
Looking down at Dusty Lake from the north rim of the coulee. Our recent trip to central Washington was a fun break from our usual. Already planning our next trip back.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ #desert #desertvibes #desertphotography #desertlife🌵 #deserthotsprings #highdesert #desertplants #desertlandscape #desertflower #thedesertisbeautifultoo
Looking south into the heart of the Giants Graveyard from Toleak Beach. There's a beauty here that excites the soul every time I visit.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnwonderland #pnw #thenwadventure #upperleftusa #pnwdiscovered #cascadiaexplored #pnwparadise #optoutside #wildernessculture #wanderwashington #pacificnorthwest #pnwlife #YourShotPhotographer #keepitwild #pnwphotographer #lifeofadventure #exploretocreate #beautifuldestinations #hikingadventures #wanderlust #thatpnwlife #explorewashington #roamtheplanet #thegreatpnw #photooftheday #washingtonexplored @washingtondiscovered @nextstop24 #nextstop24traveler #WildOlympics
Hamma Hamma Since the Record Fires - I just published an article over on the website including photographs from our latest field outing. https://buff.ly/2RUMeDG
The high desert of Central Washington near the Columbia River Gorge. This environment is 180 degrees from what you would find west of the Cascades. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #desertvibes #deserttrip #naturephotography #meditation #breathe #travel #photography #yoga #ig #desertsunset #cactus #desert #desertlove #earth #sky #yogi #desertlandscape #beauty #arizona #travelphotography #desertscape #nature #deserts #desertliving #landscapephotography #landscape #desertlife #desertphotography #healing #selfcare
Made it out to Ancient Lakes today. This is a view of the lake from a top of the coulee on the south side. We then dropped down to Dusty Lake. Great hike!⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnwonderland #pnw #thenwadventure #upperleftusa #pnwdiscovered #cascadiaexplored #pnwparadise #optoutside #wildernessculture #wanderwashington #pacificnorthwest #pnwlife #nature #keepitwild #pnwphotographer #lifeofadventure #exploretocreate #beautifuldestinations #hikingadventures #wanderlust #thatpnwlife #explorewashington #roamtheplanet #thegreatpnw #photooftheday #washingtonexplored @washingtondiscovered @nextstop24 #nextstop24traveler
Sunset over the cool waters of the Gulf of Mexico and sugar white sands of Panama City Beach. It was nice visiting Florida for a change of pace.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #sky #clouds #skyporn #skylovers #watercolorpainting #cloudporn #water #cloud #florida #sunset
A change of pace from the Pacific Northwest; down in the panhandle of Florida visiting family and went out to photograph some American Alligators. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #photography #floridawildlife #alligators #aquascapeindonesia #alligatorsofinstagram #handmade #reptile #crocodiles #gatorboys #everglades #bhfyp #croc #animals #reptilesofinstagram #caiman #crocodile #rescue #naturephotography #florida #nature #reptiles #wildlife #gator #love #reptileawarenessday #wildlifephotography #swamp #southflorida #ikanlouhan #gators
Somewhere in the Hamma Hamma region of the Olympic National Forest. This might just be one of the most scenic areas of Washington. A photographers paradise for sure!⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnwonderland #pnw #thenwadventure #upperleftusa #pnwdiscovered #cascadiaexplored #pnwparadise #optoutside #wildernessculture #wanderwashington #pacificnorthwest #pnwlife #nature #keepitwild #pnwphotographer #lifeofadventure #exploretocreate #beautifuldestinations #hikingadventures #wanderlust #thatpnwlife #explorewashington #roamtheplanet #thegreatpnw #photooftheday #washingtonexplored @washingtondiscovered @nextstop24 #nextstop24traveler #WildOlympics #wastateparks
Man's, and woman's, best friend on the beach of Crescent Bay.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnwonderland #pnw #thenwadventure #upperleftusa #pnwdiscovered #cascadiaexplored #pnwparadise #optoutside #wildernessculture #wanderwashington #pacificnorthwest #pnwlife #YourShotPhotographer #keepitwild #pnwphotographer #lifeofadventure #exploretocreate #beautifuldestinations #hikingadventures #wanderlust #thatpnwlife #explorewashington #roamtheplanet #thegreatpnw #photooftheday #washingtonexplored @washingtondiscovered @nextstop24 #nextstop24traveler #WildOlympics
Last nights sunset over Crescent Bay were my camp was located. I just pulled this off my phone. I’ll have the shots from the Sony on the website soon. I love volunteering for the #COASST program.
Sunrise over Crescent Bay. Great way to start the day. Weather should hold for tomorrow's #COASST bird survey as well. The hike always seems a bit easier when the weather's nice.
Jefferson Lake is located within the Olympic National Forest. This area was subject to record wildfires last year but has managed to retain its beauty. It's yet to be seen how long the area will take to recover. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #pnwonderland #pnw #thenwadventure #upperleftusa #pnwdiscovered #cascadiaexplored #pnwparadise #optoutside #wildernessculture #wanderwashington #pacificnorthwest #pnwlife #YourShotPhotographer #keepitwild #pnwphotographer #lifeofadventure #exploretocreate #beautifuldestinations #hikingadventures #wanderlust #thatpnwlife #explorewashington #roamtheplanet #thegreatpnw #photooftheday #washingtonexplored @washingtondiscovered @nextstop24 #nextstop24traveler #WildOlympics
toleak beach
Of course, that same weather was lucky us as well. We had taken a beating over the winter with the constant storms so a little sun and calm winds were much appreciated. Coming down off of Scott’s Bluff to see such a tranquil beach was a treat.
Despite the fishermen out on the coast, we had the beach to ourselves. Nothing out of the ordinary as we conducted our survey over our mile of the beach (except the sun as previously mentioned).
The best part of this survey? Being able to take off our boots and socks and sunbathe while we picnicked after the survey! While I soaked up the sun I was reminded of the old beer commercial, “It just doesn’t get any better than this!”
