Clark County

Washington

The views of the surrounding mountains are particularly dramatic on a rainy day.
The views of the surrounding mountains are particularly dramatic on a rainy day.
The Bells Mountain Trail in Clark County is obviously in no way connected to the more famous Bells Mountain Wilderness in Missouri. The trail which bears its name does not ascend or in any way touch the actual mountain. But it bears some of the most beautiful views of the mountain from directly across the valley. This was taken today (2015-01-11), on an extremely cloudy, foggy and generally soggy day. But look at what you get to see, even in the middle of our waterlogged winters. One drawback is that you have to pass through a lot of clear-cut forest on the trail side of the valley. I say that, realizing now that almost none of these vistas would be possible otherwize.
Detail of the south fork of Coyote Creek.
A female Bald Eagle. Apart from the California Condor and the Golden Eagle, it is probably the most powerful avian predator on the North American continent. It shuns Herons, Cranes and their other tall, wading cousins, and most hawks and owls will give it a run for its money. Large land animals are pretty much out of its comfort zone, and it is generally frightened to death of people, which only demonstrates its common sense. But apart from that, anything else is fair game. She carries herself like she runs the place. And she pretty much does. #BestOf5