Low tide in the rocky intertidal zone

This morning's low tide was a minus tide, -1.8 feet. So, I grabbed the camera, a bucket, and my pry bar, and set off to gather some mussels. These photos are (from bottom to top) sea anemones, mussels, and starfish (also known as sea stars).

Walking the nature trail

Some days the beach calls to me. Yesterday, the neighborhood nature trail beckoned with wild rhododendrons blooming everywhere. The rhodies started blooming about a month ago, and are rather spectacular. Layers of their pink blossoms grace the understory beneath large Douglas fir and spruce trees, along the lakes behind the forested dune.