Your Outdoors Photos: May

The Inland Northwest is full of flora, fauna, waters, scenery and active people out to savor it all. Please visit this gallery regularly to share photos of your wild experiences, learning moments, hot discoveries, favorite trips. Help us build a visual tour of what's so great about the outdoors in this region through all four seasons. This photo gallery will be an inspiration to some people. To others it will be a reminder of why we love to live here -- and get outside as much as possible.

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NOTE: Before photos show up in the reader photo gallery, they must be approved by an editor. If yours does not show up immediately, fear not. The only likely delay is that an editor has not had a chance to approve new photo submissions yet. Thanks for participating!

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Section:Reader Photo

Fri., May 1, 2015

Photos in This Album

My daughter, Sage during a close encounter of the bruin kind last May at Moose Creek Reservoir, east of Moscow

Photographer: William Brock
The 4th of July fireworks in Riverfront Park. Jesse Tinsley, from the Review, came up along side of me to shoot for the Sunday paper. I'm glad I wasn't on a deadline.

Photographer: Mike Gass
Patches a neighbors dog in Spokane Valley. Taken 6/16/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
An interesting cloud formation at sunset taken in Spokane Valley on 6/15/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
A graphic indicator of just how low the Spokane River is. Taken near Greenacres on the Centennial Trail on 6/13/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
My black cat Pepper and Willie the black lab nose to nose. Taken at home in Spokane Valley on 6/14/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Taken near Millwood on the Centennial Trail on 6/14/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Three dandelions on the side of the road in Spokane Valley. Taken on 6/1/15

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Geraniums in hanging pot taken in a rear view mirror. Taken in Spokane Valley on 6/6/15

Photographer: Ron Berkley
A bird taking a bath in a puddle in front of my house in Spokane Valley. Taken 6/10/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Taken at a BBQ place on South Pines on 6/9/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
"Coffee Cup Planter At Natural High Coffee On Sprague Near Shopko" Taken 6/8/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Taken on June 7, 2015, in Spokane Valley, WA. Red-tailed hawk taking flight after being harassed by a hummingbird!

Photographer: Bill Stickler
Memorial Day Weekend Mica Mountain, Latah County Old Muscovite Mica mine. I am rockhounding here. I found Beryl, Black Tourmaline, lots of mica and quartz. The careful viewer will note I am wearing "Mica Mt camouflage" so as to blend in with the open pit long abandoned muscovite mica mine. It's a fascinating place and very very shimmery!

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Memorial Day Weekend Emerald Creek Campground, Idaho After a wonderful night of sleep in the tent-bird; the three of us thanked it graciously, and, as promised, I released the majestic tent-bird to fly back home where all the fabric is ripstop and all the zippers work flawlessly. Bye little tent-bird! Fly back home!

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Enjoying a beautiful day in early May at Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, near Grantsburg, WI

Photographer: Barbara Olson
Sunset from Arbor Crest winery on May 31, 2015

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
Here's another shot from Lantern Fest on Saturday night. This one is of Al Konigsfeld firing up a lantern.

Photographer: Cortney Litwin
The glowing lanterns at Lantern Fest lit up the night's sky above Stateline Speedway in Post Falls on Saturday night. It was pure magic!

Photographer: Cortney Litwin
Male red-shafted flicker in "full color." Taken during takeoff from a tree in my yard, Spokane Valley, on May 9, 2015.

Photographer: Bill Stickler
Interesting looking moth found in North Spokane. Photo taken on May 29, 2015.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
west bound semi hauling hope on the 90 somewhere in the Transition Zone between shrub-steppe dystopian hellscape and scrubby pine and aspen pre-urban forests marking the demarcation boundary between agro and aggro. 5.28.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Syringa (Philadelphus lewisii) the Idaho State flower is now in bloom. Taken near Hayden Lake.

Photographer: Steve Davidson
Young Red-tail Hawks in the nest at Saltese Flats yesterday.

Photographer: Michael Hassett
Maripola Lily Columbia River Gorge 5.28.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Waiting for The Storm Off hiway 27

Photographer: Anne Boyd
Waiting for The Storm Off hiway 27

Photographer: Anne Boyd
Waiting for The Storm Off hiway 27

Photographer: Anne Boyd
Some people see weeds.... Others see wishes. This photo was taken in a field in Spokane Valley, Wa

Photographer: Katrina Tangedahl
The Vera Power Pump House#1 on Evergreen in the Valley during blue hour.

Photographer: Mike Gass
Taken in Latah, Wa. over the Memorial weekend.

Photographer: Mike Gass
Anastrangalia laetifica resting on an flowering aster plant in North Spokane taken on May 27, 2015.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
Steptoe Sun Rays as seen from Steptoe Butte State Park. I'll be showing photos like this at Spokane's Artfest this weekend.

Photographer: Craig Goodwin
Willie The Black Lab At My House. Taken At Spokane Valley On 5/27/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Reflection Of A Pine Tree And The Sky In A Puddle. Taken In Spokane Valley On 5/27/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Hiking tubbs hill & Sig taking a swim

Photographer: Carolyn Boge
Flathead River - Polson, Montana May 24, 2015

Photographer: Kathleen Coleman
Memorial Day storm viewed from Jennings Rd. near Spangle, WA

Photographer: Carol ellis
Moon over North Spokane on May 26, 2015.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
Here's another cloud photo taken after the storm on May 26.

Photographer: Cortney Litwin
I live on the South Hill and saw some wild cloud formations from the storm on May 26.

Photographer: Cortney Litwin
a little wildflower genus and species unbeknownst to me Emerald Creek area, North Idaho 5.24.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Little shrooms growing streamside You almost expect to see little leprechauns and wood nymphs cavorting about! Emerald Creek, Idaho 5.23.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
little 'shrooms growing streamside. Possibly Liberty Caps but out of season and atypical shaded foresty area for them. Emerald Creek, Idaho 5.23.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Update: Woke up to find 3 of the 4 baby robins had hatched!

Photographer: Jolene Taylor
Water lily blooming in our North Spokane pond. Photo taken on May 22, 2015.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
Moon against the pink clouds in North Spokane taken on May 22, 2015.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
Moon against the pink clouds in North Spokane taken on May 22, 2015.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
Jumping spider (Salticidae) in North Spokane. Jumping spiders have four pairs of eyes. Photo taken on May 24, 2015.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
Took a walk along the river in between thunderstorms Monday afternoon. The sky was putting on an impressive show.

Photographer: Tiffany Hansen
A nice flower shot taken at Manito Park and Botanical Gardens in Spokane!

Photographer: Matthew O. Stephens
A nice flower close-up I took at Manito Park and Botanical Gardens in Spokane!

Photographer: Matthew O. Stephens
Spider eating dinner at Le Trillium restaurant. Emerald Creek, Idaho. 5.23.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Spring clouds and sunshine on Peone Prairie pea fields

Photographer: James Richman
Spring clouds and sunshine on Peone Prairie pea fields

Photographer: James Richman
Spring clouds and sunshine on pea fields, Peone Prairie

Photographer: James Richman
Canola fields on Peone Prairie

Photographer: James Richman
Eagles nest on Pend Oreille River 24 May 2015

Photographer: Gary Odell
Irises In A Neighbor's Garden. Taken In Spokane Valley On 5/23/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Old Barn In Spokane Valley. Taken On 5/23/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Wild Iris On The Centennial Trail. Taken On 5/23/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Close-Up Of A Poppy. Taken In Spokane Valley On 5/23/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Eagle Pend Oreille River near Usk, WA May 9, 2015

Photographer: Gary Odell
Prarie Cornbinder. Western Montana. 2015.

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
The Prarie Cornbinder. Western Montana. 2015

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
The grave of Charbonneau lies in the Oregon Desert west of Jordon Valley. 2014

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
Prarie Cornbinder with flare

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
Prarie Cornbinder with flare Montana 2015

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
Fireworks at 2 Rivers, 2014

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
Round Lake State Park, Idaho

Photographer: David Taylor
Milkweed seed head along the Spokane River.

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
Western Bluebird tending to chicks at Bluebird box number 80 at Camp Ward, Farragut State Park. Taken in the early morning of May 20th, 2015.

Photographer: Steve Davidson
Colorful iris growing in our iris garden on May 21, 2015.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
Beautiful and relaxing day fishing at Waitts Lake on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
Fly away home.....this ladybug visits an iris in my yard, Spokane Valley. May 21, 2015 (I think this picture my upload sideways and need to be rotated.)

Photographer: Yvonne Pittenger
Rimrock, afternoon of May 16th

Photographer: Sarah Carlton
A Great Blue Heron from yesterday at Liberty Lake.

Photographer: Tim Colquhoun
May Rain

Photographer: Heather Kaer
Lily of the Valley Spokane

Photographer: Heather Kaer
Dusk comes quickly to the Palouse and the day comes to an end for a hillside of arrowleaf balsamroot at McCroskey State Park in Idaho. Steptoe Butte stands as a sentinel on the horizon.

Photographer: Brent Flint
I can stare at a wild strawberry bloom and buds until it begins to frighten me. Iller Creek 5.19.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
A nice close up of a brilliantly purple flower. Upriver Drive trails.

Photographer: Matthew O. Stephens
A nice reflective shot I took as I was walking along the trail on Upriver Drive.

Photographer: Matthew O. Stephens
Hiking the coast of Washington's Olympic Peninsula.

Photographer: Kerry Whitsitt
Tiger swallowtail butterfly on lilac.

Photographer: J. Foster Fanning
Snow Falls, Bonner, Idaho

Photographer: Dwight Makinson
Photo looking west from North Chilco

Photographer: Dwight Makinson
My photo looking north from North Chilco.

Photographer: Dwight Makinson
I found this Northern Pacific Rattlesnake sunbathing outside its den at Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. Actually, I almost stepped right on it! It was very tolerant with my photography, but I still have a healthy respect for them. He never rattled once!

Photographer: Brent Flint
The remnants of an old boat on an early morning at the James T. Slavin Conservation Area, Washington.

Photographer: Brent Flint
Photo taken at the community gardens inside Andrew Rypien Park.

Photographer: Anngele Vose
Photo taken at the community gardens inside Andrew Rypien Park.

Photographer: Anngele Vose
Photo taken at the community gardens inside Andrew Rypien Park.

Photographer: Anngele Vose
Photo taken at the community gardens inside Andrew Rypien Park.

Photographer: Anngele Vose
Photo taken at the community gardens inside Andrew Rypien Park.

Photographer: Anngele Vose
Sunset

Photographer: Kelly Kastella
Lutheran church on the way to Two Rivers

Photographer: pam chavira
Hi there Lilac City!

Photographer: Heather Kaer
Best of May 2015

Photographer: Heather Kaer
Lilac city visitor.

Photographer: Heather Kaer
Recent photo of one of the many hummingbirds that feast on our feeders in Otis Orchards, WA

Photographer: Bailey Abdnor
Juvenile Bald Eagle A couple of weeks ago I was out shooting Osprey and in came a juvenile Bald Eagle to see what it could steal from the Osprey.

Photographer: Tim Colquhoun
there's something creepy about Larkspur. Tower Mountain 5.19.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Chocolate Lily (native wild Lily) Iller Creek (5.19.15)

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Bowl & Pitcher March 2015

Photographer: Chandler Baird
A hummingbird came by at sunset yesterday. It chased off another hummer that was headed for the feeder. They're so bold!

Photographer: Cortney Litwin
Lyon Creek Granite Rock Side 2015-05-19

Photographer: Karen Soenke
Wild Ginger - Lyon Creek yesterday

Photographer: Karen Soenke
Sunrise at Rowena Crest on the Columbia Gorge, taken during the peak bloom the end of this past April.

Photographer: Michael W Brandt
Young Bull Elk Pend Oreille County May 17th, 2015

Photographer: Gary Odell
Another daisy-ish kinda looking flower Tower Mt 5.19.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
hey ugly little bug, don't fall off! Tower Mt 5.19.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
some daisy lookin' thing Tower Mt. 5.19.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
don't know what this is, but it has a weird grace when shot from below. Tower Mt 5.19.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Bee sucking on a Lupine. Tower Mt 5.19.2015

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Riverfront Park Spokane, WA

Photographer: Analyn Kennedy
Kalispell reservation Pend Oreille County May 11, 2015

Photographer: Gary Odell
A Poppy Among The Irises. Taken In Spokane Valley On 5/17/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
An Interesting Looking Flower I Spotted In Spokane Valley On 5/17/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
A Scarlet Begonia Taken At The Plant Farm On 5/18/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
A Poppin' Poppy In A Neighbor's Yard. Taken In Spokane Valley On 5/18/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Spring storm on the Palouse, near Thornton

Photographer: James Richman
Spokane River recently in Coeur d'Alene

Photographer: joseph sampson
Family out for a swim (on the Millwood section of the Spokane River) after the thunder storms the evening of May 16th ...they're growing so fast!

Photographer: Kristy Norman
Outside Clayton Burger a cute hummingbird

Photographer: Pam Chavira
I visited Hog Canyon Lake on Saturday when the wind suddenly kicked up (dust is clouding the background). Such a beautiful place! The waterfall is still flowing a bit and the wildflowers are blooming.

Photographer: Cortney Litwin
Methow River near Carlton, WA

Photographer: Ralph Stephens
Buttonhook Bay in the very early morning with a single goose catching the sun's rays. Taken April 20th.

Photographer: Steve Davidson
A quail on the grass. Taken on 5/17/15 in Spokane Valley.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Spring storm on the Palouse, viewed from Steptoe Butte yesterday

Photographer: James Richman
Rain cloud over the Palouse, near Oakesdale yesterday

Photographer: James Richman
Some Irises That Were Growing In A Neighbor's Garden. Taken On 5/16/15

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Pend Oreille County May 16, 2015

Photographer: Gary Odell
Spokane Falls from under the Monroe Street Bridge

Photographer: Bruce Turner
Guarding Deception Pass, Whidbey Island

Photographer: Bruce Turner
This photo was taken in our yard on May 15. I began keeping bees this year and am fascinated by them.

Photographer: Nancy Dickman
A matching pair of Fairy Slipper wildflowers found at Mount Spokane State Park (aka Calypso Orchid or Venus' Slipper). I have yet to see the actual fairies that roam the forest floor. They sure are careless about leaving their shoes laying around, although in our house we have a tendency to do that too.

Photographer: Craig Goodwin
The Fountain At Good Samaritan Senior Center In Spokane Valley. Taken On 5/14/15.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Spring on the Spokane River - btw Park Road and Argonne - May 2015

Photographer: Kristy Norman
Backyard Birds (Merganser?) on the Spokane River between Park Road and Argonne. May 11, 2015

Photographer: Kristy Norman
Western Meadowlark near Towell Falls May 2015

Photographer: Kristy Norman
This photo was taken on Tuesday. I had started to mow the lawn and saw a robin fly from one of our trees. I figured it was a good time to check to see if she had a nest and eggs in there and sure enough, she did!

Photographer: Jolene Taylor
Steptoe Butte

Photographer: Jane McDonald
PalouseFalls

Photographer: Jane McDonald
The Bird Was About 50 Feet Away When I Took The Shot. I Didn't Know It Had A Worm Until I Looked At The Shot. Taken In Greenacres On 5/7/2015.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
A Unique Looking Rock Next To The Sidewalk On Sullivan Road Near Car Toys. Taken On 5/9/2015.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
A Couple Of Bunnies On The Centennial Trail. Taken On 5/5/2015.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Looking Up At A Water Tower In Greenacres. Taken On 5/9/2015.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
A 747 In Flight. I Took This On 4-16-2015 In Spokane Valley.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Memorial Plane For Pilot Bob Heale At Felts Field. Taken On May 5th, 2015.

Photographer: Ron Berkley
Coral at the ruins in Spokane,Wa.

Photographer: John Lafferty
The ruins in Spokane,Wa.

Photographer: John Lafferty
The ruins in Spokane,Wa.

Photographer: John Lafferty
The ruins in Spokane,Wa.

Photographer: John Lafferty
Ice crystals in the air reflect the sun setting over Unalakleet, Alaska. 2014.

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
Nice shot of the waterscape at Mirabeau Park in Spokane Valley.

Photographer: Matthew O. Stephens
Bunny at Mirabeau Park.

Photographer: Matthew O. Stephens
Duckling at Mirabeau Park.

Photographer: Matthew O. Stephens
The River from Mirabeau Point Park.

Photographer: Matthew O. Stephens
Just checking things out!!!

Photographer: Jenny Lynch
My husband and I came upon this moose while biking on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes on Saturday. She was only 10 yards from the trail when we stopped. She looked at us and then casually wandered into the trees for a nap (obviously used to photographers!). A juvenile moose was close by.

Photographer: Cortney Litwin
It appears to be a banner year for morel mushrooms in the Inland Northwest. I gathered these this weekend at 2500 feet elevation. Porcini are starting to come on, although the squirrels and deer are tough competition for those tasty mushrooms, also known as "poor-man's steak." Ironically a pound of fresh Porcini will cost you as much as $50.

Photographer: Craig Goodwin
Fresh wolf prints in my return skin track near Striped Peak, Idaho. April 30.

Photographer: Mike @ PanhandleBackcountry.com
Sarah soaking up the Selkirk sunshine on top of Joe Peak, Idaho on May 9.

Photographer: Mike @ PanhandleBackcountry.com
Backyard turf war. Taken May 5th, 2015, in my back yard in Spokane Valley

Photographer: Bill Stickler
Look up bada** in the dictionary. You might see my canoe which I recently painted black and airbrushed pirate skulls and crossbones on. Still needs a little touch up and a clear coat. My 17'6" Clipper Tripper canoe which I take wilderness camping with my 5 y/o daughter, is now pirate-grade. You've been warned Mr. Party Barge beer drinker. (Insert Mencken Quote)

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Taken a few weeks ago at Huntington Park.

Photographer: Mike Gill
A setting on my camera malfunctioned and this (unaltered) photo was the result. I captured the ghost of a hummingbird.

Photographer: Cortney Litwin
Enjoying a free gondola ride on my lunch break, on May 7, 2015!

Photographer: Donna deBit
Monument to the explorer David Thompson located along the Clark Fork River near Thompson Falls, Montana. April 2015

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
Guides Cabin at midnight. Rainy Pass Lodge, Iditarod Trail. 2014

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
Lynx photo taken at Bear Creek Cabin on the Iditarod Trail. 2008.

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
Tiger Motorhome at the Wagon Wheel Ruts Monument in Wyoming in November of 2014.

Photographer: Robert D. Jones
First weekend of May at Engle Peak, looking down on Engle Lake in Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.

Photographer: Ken Vanden Heuvel
Took a stroll through downtown Monday (May 4th) night and caught the full moon rising over the Washington Water Power building. Love what the city has done to clean up this area around the river, it looks beautiful!

Photographer: Tiffany Hansen
Yellow-headed blackbird at Williams Lake on May 4, 2015.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
Pair of cormorants at Williams Lake on May 4, 2015.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
Small turtle sunning himself by Fish Lake.

Photographer: Gayla Aspenleiter
A rare sighting of the Aurora Borealis from Palouse Falls State Park. There is lots of noise in the landscape from the long exposure that I'll clean up later.

Photographer: Craig Goodwin
Hummingbird at rest, near Mt St Michael

Photographer: Debbie Holm
Another beautiful sunset taken out here in Odessa, WA. May 1st, 2015

Photographer: Becky Nelson
More lilacs in Spokane

Photographer: Lindsay Faye
Osprey at their nest near Elokia Lake on May 1st.

Photographer: Ashley Karsh
Strawberry flowers

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Strawberry flowers.

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Looking north from the top of Chilco Mountain, Idaho.

Photographer: David Taylor
Mission Ave Bridge, Spokane

Photographer: keri
April 16,2015. Otis Orchards. Bee pollinating blue bulbs.

Photographer: David Veitenheimer
Bowl and Pitcher

Photographer: Christie King
Lilacs at Manito Park | April 28, 2015

Photographer: Lindsay Faye