Three well-preserved Miocene-age tree molds...

occur in the Wanapum Basalt Formation (Columbia River Basalt Group) along the Fish Lake Trail, exposed in a railroad cut through the volcanic formation within 100 yards (meters) of one another. One can easily imagine a landscape with a stand of large trees being invaded and enveloped by an advancing lava flow around 15 million years ago. I’m certain that 99% of the trail users aren’t aware of these interesting features and the story they tell.

Note the silicified wood that is preserved near the base of this large tree mold.

This tree mold is about 20 inches (0.5 meters) in diameter.

The underlying paleosol (ancient soil horizon) in which the tree were rooted is clearly seen here beneath the overlying basalt formation. This tree mold is about 15 inches (0.4 meters) in diameter and penetrates the interior of the volcanic unit.

An incredibly green and groomed launch site...

serves as the venue for the well-named Sod Blaster VI, an annual event held during Labor Day weekend at a sod farm near Pasco, Washington. More than 100 rocketry nerds gathered to launch low- to high-power model rockets during the four day-long event. It’s fair to say that everybody here has a blast!

An array of launch pads is commanded by the launch control officer (on left) at the well organized event. A high power rocket is heading skyward from a distant pad on the range.

My Nike Smoke Pro ready to go on a mid-power launch rail. It successfully soared to a 617 foot (188 meter) apogee on a “F” rocket engine.

Preparing to attach the electrical igniter to the high power HV Arcas model rocket for my Level 1 certification attempt on a “H” engine.

The HV Arcas zipping off the pad to a 1,719 foot (524 meter) apogee. Unfortunately the rocket separated too energetically when the ejection charge fired but all components were recovered. I'll have to try again for the L1 certification given this failure during flight.

The Arreaux shooting off the pad on a “G” engine to an apogee of 1,826 feet (557 meters).

T-minus five days until Sod Blaster VI...

in southeastern Washington where I hope to earn my Level 1 certification in order to purchase and launch bigger rocket engines in my larger/heavier model rockets. I will fly the 56 inch (142 cm) tall Aerotech HV Arcas for the certification flight, a 60% scale replica of the actual high velocity Arcas sounding rocket historically used for atmospheric research.

The Aerotech HV Arcas and the Aerotech Arreaux model rockets. The smaller and sporty Arreaux should reach 3,000 feet on a "G" engine according to computer simulations.

Based on simulations using OpenRocket software that utilizes basic physics, aerodynamic principles and the standard atmospheric model, the HV Arcas model rocket should soar to a half-mile high apogee in a flight lasting two minutes long on a “H” rocket engine. A Jolly Logic Altimeter Two will be onboard during the cert flight in order to record flight data.

Design rendering of the HV Arcas from OpenRocket software showing internal structure and components, as well as the center of gravity and center of pressure on the airframe.

Simulated flight profile of the HV Arcas flying on a “H” engine from OpenRocket software showing a predicted apogee of 2,456 feet (~750 meters) for a flight lasting 129 seconds.

Links: Sod Blaster VI and OpenRocket software.

This well-adapted beak...

allows this finch to effortlessly pry open conifer seed cones. These chatty and colorful birds are fairly common in the woodlands of eastern Washington.

Adult male Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra).

That’s quite the underbite.

The intensity of the iridescence...

of certain bird feathers is governed by the angle of incidence of refracted light as it passes through the micro-structure of the feather barbules. The richness of the glow changes quickly and results in a shimmering effect often seen in hummingbirds. Here’s one at rest at the sugar reservoir giving me the evil eye.

Female or juvenile Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri).

Following a historic railroad grade...

southwest of Spokane, Washington, the Columbia Plateau State Park Trail extends for 130 miles (209 km) across the semi-arid Channeled Scablands. Some portion of this trail system is part of my daily ride, usually a section between Spokane and Amber Lake, at its very northeastern end.

Open ponderosa pine forests and seasonal wetland ponds dominate the flat-lying terrain that traverses the 1908 path of the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railroad.

A typical crowded day on the trail.

Two aging geologists slowly undergoing fossilization...

met for lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant last week. Emeritus Professor Ernest Gilmour (below left) was the chair of the department when I was hired as a fledgling assistant professor in the summer of 1984, a full 40 years ago, and he remains a good friend and valued colleague. We’re both retired from the university today, but he’s still doing active research in paleontology and publishing on bryozoans. It’s a scientific fact that fossilization is delayed if one stays active, both mentally and physically!

A broad range of habitats...

is enjoyed by this hummingbird, from the high desert of Utah to the high country of Colorado, to the ponderosa pine forests of eastern Washington and beyond.

Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri), either a female or immature male.

The northern rocket arsenal...

is ready to fly, but with all the burn bans currently in effect in eastern Washington that’s not going to happen anytime soon. The HV Arcas model rocket will be used to obtain my Level 1 certification from the National Association of Rocketry at an event later this month. I’m leveling up to higher power rocketry. It’s important to pursue goals in retirement.

Two healthy chicks occupy the nest...

of this Osprey who clearly has a bead on me as I capture this image of the siblings. The smaller chick was quite vocal, and with two youngsters, I can understand why the house is a mess.

Adult Osprey with two juveniles (Pandion haliaetus).

Shot this afternoon with a tripod-mounted Canon 5D Mark IV camera and Canon EF 500 mm f/4 prime lens from 120 yards (~110 meters).