Three tree molds ensconced in basalt...

bedrock occur along the Fish Lake trail, the result of an advancing lava flow into a standing forest during the Miocene Epoch. Imagine the snap, crackle, pop and hiss as the trees were overrun by the molten lava. Geology is everywhere, you just have to look!

Old railroad cut exposing a tree mold in the Wanapum Basalt, Priest Rapids Member (15.97-11.63Ma).

Base of another tree mold showing the flaring of the root collar in contact with the underlying paleosol. Note the silicified wood fragments that still exhibit cellular structure.

Operation Fledge Watch...

continues through another evening with Junior content to hang out at the platform nest while Mama Osprey continues to deliver fresh fish.

Mature female ‘Mama’ Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) perched nearby and calling to Junior on the platform nest.

‘Junior’ Osprey discovering and exercising its wings while waiting for a free meal. It’s fully capable of flight and just needs to take the big leap.

The tempo of life of a wildlife photographer is somewhat similar to that of a soldier: Long periods of interminable boredom punctuated by brief moments of intense chaos.

Failure to launch...

today because Mama keeps feeding Junior fresh fish. Why leave home and work for food when you can have it delivered, the avian equivalent of Grubhub or DoorDash?

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) with fish in talons.

This fledge's first flights...

consisted of short hops and hovering maneuvers this morning and late afternoon, no more than five to ten feet (2-3 m) above the platform nest, nicely oriented into the stiff breeze. Tomorrow’s the big graduation day, I’d bet.

Juvenile Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).

A properly potty-trained fish hawk...

projectile pooping in the preferred direction from the nest platform. But mother Osprey (not seen here) could be a better housekeeper.

Juvenile Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) assuming the position in the platform nest.

It’s amazing what you can capture at 120 yards (110 m) with a 500 mm prime lens, shooting at 1/1,000th of a second.

Closing in on 17,000 miles...

(27,000 km) ridden on my collection of electric mountain bikes since September 2020! My riding style is becoming increasingly aggressive with growing experience and time on the trail, so I’m leveling up with a new enduro-style eMTB. But the acid test of this very capable bike awaits on the considerably more challenging trails around Moab, Utah this fall.

It still has the new bike smell: Trek Rail+ 8 Gen 5 eMTB at Fish Lake on its first ride. The sidewalls of the tubeless tires matches the terrain in Utah!