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Torchbearer
I was privileged to see the torch for the animal Olympics on its way through Mount Rainier to its final destination in the appropriately named Olympic National Park. I was initially concerned that the rain would put out the torch but soon realized a greater danger — the torchbearer was eating the torch.
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Tour Guide
One day while hiking near Wahkeena Falls in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, I decided to extend the hike past Fairy Falls and headed over to Angel’s Rest. I’m scared of heights and wasn’t sure if I’d be able to go out onto the rock outcropping, but it turned out to not be so bad and I was able to make it.
I’m glad I made the effort, as at the overlook this little tour guide kept the crowd in rapt attention as it described the history of the Gorge and how it was carved out by the great Missoula Floods at the end of the last ice age. |
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Head Games
I love pictures where an animal is mostly obscured in a uniform environment, such as this chipmunk peeking out from behind a rock. I tried a similar picture in Yellowstone a while back but I wasn’t as happy with the way it turned out.
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Sammy Is That You?
Like our youngest cat Sam, this chipmunk had a noticeable kink in its tail. It also had a gap in its fur on its right cheek but moved about and fed with the same speed and agility as the other chipmunks, so it didn't appear to be injured.
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Peeking Out
One of my favorite chipmunk pictures, I saw him peeking out from these moss-covered rotting logs. We met on the forested section of the Baskett Butte Trail at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge.
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Stripes
Viewed from behind, the chipmunk's distinctive stripes are readily apparent. On this little fellow, the stripes between the dark stripes are nearly as dark as the regular body fur.
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Snowfield
While much of the snow had already melted from Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park when we visited in June of 2004, there were still large patches here and there, especially in areas that didn't get as much sunlight. This little chipmunk was hunting for food in the old snow that remained near this section of the Hurricane Hill Trail.
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