When you have seen one ant,
one bird,
one tree,
you have not seen them all.
~ E. O. Wilson
Great Blue Heron on November 26, 2025
One bird
olympic discovery trail
Geese for Gaza
We’re heading into a very rainy week here on the Olympic Peninsula due to atmospheric river conditions. Knowing this, yesterday we took advantage of the quiet before the storm to walk along the water via the Olympic Discovery Trail. However, weather wasn’t the only factor in our decision: we also desperately needed a dose of nature to counteract the negative mental health effects of the current regime’s fascism a go-go plus the non-stop slaughter of Palestinians live-streamed before our eyes. The “ceasefire” that was supposed to terminate Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has allowed Israel to violate those terms over 500 times, resulting in the murder of hundreds of men, women, and children. (NOTE to the Zionist from Tel Aviv: your racist, supremacist rants are blocked from this site which means no one but you will ever know the depths of your depravity. You’re welcome.)
As Zippy, Emma, and I began our walk, we saw a large flock of Canada Geese. I smiled while taking photos and happily captured more images when we returned an hour later to find them in a different spot alongside the trail.
Today when I found myself repeatedly thinking about these geese, it felt like a sign. As in, time for another Geese and Gaza post. Why?
Canada Geese on December 6, 2025
Because seeing other living, breathing creatures–such as this flock of geese that works together to keep each member safe–always reminds me of the interconnectedness of life on this planet. We are all in this together, and that most definitely includes Palestinians. I’m pretty sure every “silly goose” understands this basic concept.
They are Geese for Gaza.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.
Harlequin romance
As much as I adore birds and watch them every chance I get, my identification skills are lacking. That’s why I especially appreciate whenever I spot the fanciest duck seen on the water around here. With markings like these, it’s easy to proclaim, “That’s a Harlequin Duck!”
Olympic Discovery Trail. November 18, 2025
While you can’t tell from this angle, Mr. Handsome was tucked up next to the bank and hard to see. I only noticed him while moving around in order to photograph a perching gull through a tangle of branches. I immediately shifted my focus.
Hello, beautiful! I’m in love.
Wordless Wednesday: Great Blue edition
Great Blue Heron, Nov 18, 2025. Olympic Discovery Trail
Unruffled calm of nature
August 4, 2025 Olympic Discovery Trail
Surely there is something in the unruffled calm of nature
that overawes our little anxieties and doubts:
the sight of the deep-blue sky, and the clustering stars above,
seem to impart a quiet to the mind.
~ Jonathan Edwards
Balm for the soul
This morning during a short walk on the Discovery Trail where I haven’t been for weeks due to a foot issue that may or may not be a mind-body issue, we were gifted with all sorts of beauty. In the order in which those gifts presented themselves:
Black-tailed deer
Immature Snow Goose
Belted Kingfisher
Mount Baker
Black-tailed Deer
Horned Grebe
Glaucous-winged Gull and crab
Same gull pauses to make clear guests are not welcome at crab feast
After taking many photos of this delightful gull, we turned around and headed back to the trailhead. I was pleased to see the Belted Kingfisher was still in the tree and a bit further on, spotted this wild bouquet:
Thank you for taking the walk with me. May these glimpses of beauty be balm for your soul during these very hard days.
The joy is mine
All gratitude to Zippy who, after I had to cancel my run yesterday due to bad air, figured out this morning that while the air near our home was unhealthy, it was clean down near the water! As I ran along the trail, breathing in cool smoke-free air, I saw multiple Great Blue Herons, gulls, mergansers, geese, hawks, some little brown jobbies, and lots of slugs. My mood improved dramatically!
Because I don’t run with a camera, I don’t have photos to post. However, I’ve still got tons of Sandhill Crane photos I’ve never shared and this one sums up the joy I felt this morning while running free.
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. March 11, 2024
The fascists aren’t gonna take my joy. Please don’t let them take yours, either. In fact, I’d love to hear what’s made your heart soar recently. Let’s spread some joy!
Twofer Tuesday: taking action edition
Before I get started, I want to share an image from our walk today on a portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail.
I don’t know about you, but I take great delight in this moss-covered stump that reminds me of some kind of velour throne. Full disclosure: I fought the urge to sit on it.
That beautiful walk rejuvenated me and while I’d like to wander forever amongst the ferns and trees, it was time to return to reality. And as you know, there’s a lot going on and so much of it feels out of our control which is why I’m here to share a couple opportunities to take action.
ONE) Tomorrow (Wednesday, March 19th) #TeslaTakedown is holding a mass mobilizing call at 8:30 pm ET / 5:30 pm PT that will be livestreamed on YouTube. A link will be sent in the morning. Register HERE & go to TeslaTakedown.com for more info on the people’s movement that’s making Elon Musk angry and tanking Tesla stock.
TWO) On Thursday, March 20, the American Postal Workers Union is holding a Day of Action as the Postal Service faces the most serious threat in its history as the Trump administration prepares a hostile takeover in order to privatize this bedrock institution! Go HERE to find an action near you (along with LOTS of resources including flyers, talking points, signs, etc). Here’s a sample that includes these FACTS about the United States Postal Service:
Even if you’re unable to participate in either event, please keep talking about what’s happening. As I talked the other day with the truck driver who’d driven our belongings from Colorado to Washington, I realized he had no idea about the many, many ways the unelected billionaire Elon Musk has been wreaking havoc in our lives. We’ve got to educate each other and I kicked myself for not having a flyer I could hand him with all the info from TeslaTakedown. Same goes for the Postal Service. I’m going to have some of these flyers with me so I can hand them to folks as we talk.
There’s a lot going on as they aim to shock and awe us into submission, so don’t feel bad about not being able to help on every front! None of us have that bandwidth. Instead, pick an issue or two that resonate and put some energy into that. Every little ripple we create adds to the tsunami of people-power. Solidarity!
Tracy Abell 