Summer Edges Closer

Summer’s still not here and is actually supposed to arrive late here in the Pacific Northwest this year, but the sun cooperated again this morning and shone brightly for most of our trip to Theler Wetlands in Belfair.

The Trilliums and Skunk Cabbage were joined by a number of brilliant purple native plants indicating that summer is inching closer.

purple flowers

The Great Blue Herons have returned throughout the wetlands.

close-up of Great Blue Heron

Common Mergansers seem to have paired up before leaving the area,

pair of Common Mergansers in breeding colors

though this handsome male Hooded Merganser didn’t seem to have a mate yet.

male Hooded Merganser

It’s hard to beat a Spring day hinting at better things to come after a long, wet winter.