Walk on the wild side

Dave and I took advantage of Sunday's break in the rain to hike in not one but TWO nearby state parks: Kopachuck and Penrose Point. We wandered through old growth forests and along the rocky Puget Sound ... through towering Douglas firs, cedars, hemlocks and maples.

Moss carpets the ground, wraps itself around trees and hangs eerily from branches. Mounds of moss support ferns growing high on trees above the trails.

Mushrooms nestle in moss underfoot. (Anyone know what these guys are?)

At water's edge, the rain forest gives way to driftwood, rocks and shells, beachcombers, fishermen, gulls, hawks and eagles.

We watched this seagull drag and tug at a flopping fish at Penrose while a juvenile gull went crazy, shreiking and darting around, hoping for his turn. The other two adults kept a quiet, more respectful distance.

The tide was going out, uncovering barnacle-encrusted rocks, mussels, and broken shells.

A colorful sign at Kopachuck aquaints visitors with the local wildlife.

Other wildlife includes photographers like Dave, who is practicing with his new camera.

Now the rain has returned and I'm back to my usual haunts -- Starbucks and my little computer corner.

Have a colorful day!