In this photo round-up we pack two months into one, and oh, what a couple months it’s been. When we weren’t watching infographics—hoping those lines plotting COVID-19 data take a dip, or biting our nails over maps as states voted red or blue—we were also watching the seasons change, listening to snow geese flock noisily overhead, and inhaling the damp as we peered at mushrooms alongside the trail. Please enjoy!
Happy Trails
Nature-lovers for all seasons, Institute staffers pulled on knit caps and layers, and got outside to elevate heart rates and spirits. Even as the temperatures cool and the days shorten, the North Cascades is an awesome place to welcome fall with friends.
Alexa and friends, approaching Cascade Pass.Stehekin crew! From left: Cameron, Emily, Alexa, Sarah, Lindsay, Bernt, and Kari (minus Dan). Photo by Emily SchaubleJodi and friend, feeling the wind at Diablo Lake Overlook.Kayla and Joe mountain biking on a golden Echo Ridge in Chelan.Evan’s companion Freya, looking sharp in her bandana. She likes sunsets.Saul and Institute board chairman, Sterling Clarren at Washington Pass.Bringing some North Cascades style to Northern Illinois—nice cap, Molly!Kim shows new friend, Tator Tot, the ropes.
Mushroom Madness
October and November never disappoint for foragers and fans of fungi. Top marks to this crew for the diversity of specimens spotted trailside in murky hollows and mossy understories across the region.
Alexa’s lucky find, a clustering Blue Chanterelle spotted just minutes before getting back to the trailhead.Sarah is stoked about her King Bolete find (later cooked up over a campfire and tasted like bacon!). Photo by Alexa BrandtJodi’s shows us examples of two different structures that function to disperse spores, gills and pores.Tiny filaments on this mushroom are possibly a parasitic fungus known as Bonnet Mold. Photo by Jodi BroughtonThe edible Cauliflower Mushroom spotted by Alexa.Kim takes home a jackpot of Chanterelles.A rare cache of the brilliantly colored Green Elfcup—nice find, Kim!Wait, what? NOT a mushroom. Photo by Evan HolmstromOne of the fascinating coral fungi spotted by SuJ’n in our October field class, “Mushrooms of the North Cascades”.What tiny forest dweller do you imagine taking shelter under this Shaggy Parasol? Photo by SuJ’n ChonForaging in an old growth forest near Deception Pass while out with our field class. Photo by Catherine EndicottEvan demonstrates the simplest and perhaps best preparation for the edible mushrooms he brought home.
The arrival of SNOW
And just like that, it feels like winter is upon us in the North Cascades. There’s a spark of excitement—even for those of us living and working at lower elevations—when the Environmental Learning Center sees its first snow.
Base camper Jeff Brennan captured this moment of fresh, unmarked snow blanketing North Cascades highway.There must be a cup of cocoa around here somewhere. Photo by Alexa BrandtThe boat house twinkles from across Diablo Lake. Photo by Alexa BrandtThe river otter sculpture on campus looking cozy. Photo by Alexa BrandtCampus “roofalanche” guards will be put to the test soon, appreciated here in silhouette by Molly.A moody view at Diablo Lake shared with us by friend of the Institute, Jeff Brennan.Colonial Peak photographed by Jeff Brennan.Katie’s chilly view from the “other side” in the Methow valley.A frosty memento from warmer days. Photo by Katie Manz
Our Wild Views
We can never get enough of the magnificent mountains and moody skies of our North Cascades and beyond. There’s always a new angle, a new light, a new feeling about these views!
This will always be one of our favorite views, captured here by Mark at Diablo Lake Overlook.Snow geese passing through. Photo by Mark Browning.The Gorge Powerhouse. Photo by Alexa BrandtA double rainbow over the Skagit near Hamilton. Photo by Molly HarriganKayla’s view of Lake Chelan on Halloween morning.Sunset behind Davis Peak. Photo by Alexa Brandt
Snowy Finds Fame
Birders of Seattle recently marked “Snowy owl” off their lifetime lists and enjoyed a rare sighting of an extraordinary visitor to the Queen Anne neighborhood. Being beyond the southern-most edge of Snowy owls’ usual winter range, this owl even ruffled feathers at local news outlets. Photographer and Institute Finance Director, Jason Ruvelson made the drive south to capture this handsome shot.
Thanks for coming along on this photo round-up! As always, we invite you to share your own adventures with us—please reach out to us at photos@ncascades.org and your pics just might appear in our next round up!
