Your Outdoor Photos: January 2026

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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Section:Reader Photo

Tue., Dec. 30, 2025

Photos in This Album

Great Blue Heron in waning golden light of day. Image taken at about 4:00 PM Turnbull. Imaged Feb 12-26 last Thursday

Photographer: Jerry R O L W E S
A great horned owl at Turnbull wildlife refuge. Taken 2/4/26.

Photographer: Rich Zywiak
Sunset over the Spokane River near Barker Road on February 4th.

Photographer: Carol Olsen
A Dark eyed Junco sparrow without a shadow, Usk, WA, 2-1-26

Photographer: Nia Patton
Weather watcher: I saw this Northern Flicker sitting on an anemometer support on a radio tower surveying its domain in the Spokane Valley. It was a cold morning and its feathers are puffed out to provide extra insulation against the cold.

Photographer: Jim Summers
Found this fine Mule Deer near Cheney WA still sporting a very fine rack. Taken 1 27 2026

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney W.A.
Ducks sitting in the morning sun close to a Pend Oreille River bank, 1-25-26

Photographer: Nia Patton
There were a good 20 swans in the Cheney Wetlands the third week of January

Photographer: Melaine Williams
Aerodynamics by a Bald Eagle, 1-23-26, Pend Oreille River

Photographer: Nia Patton
Eagle hanging on a branch Lake Roosevelt along the shore near French rocks, Taken Kettle falls Wa, while out hiking Jan 2026

Photographer: Pamela Femling
Bald Eagle along Lake Roosevelt Wa, French rock boat ramp, use canon r5 mark ii camera paired with the canon 100-400 lens. Taken Jan 2026,

Photographer: Pamela Femling
Porcupine foraging for green grasses on the circular auto drive at Turnbull Refuge, Monday, 01-19-26

Photographer: Jerry R O L W E S
Turnbull Game Refuge lake with open waters across from main entrance 01-19-26 Trumpeter Swans launching off the lake in unison.

Photographer: Jerry R O L W E S
Play time. Young white-tailed deer chasing each other around. Stevens County. 1/20/26

Photographer: Mark Hendrickson
The winter magic of snow and sun on the Spokane River east of Barker Road.

Photographer: Carol Olsen
A Western Meadowlark chilling out on the West Plains. Taken January 8.

Photographer: Rich Zywiak
A well coated Coyote with ears and eyes forward looking for a bite to eat on a cold winter morning at Turnbull wildlife refuge. 1 9 2026

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney W.A.
Photo of our Backyard Finch last week.

Photographer: Brenda Poppe
Canadian Goose greeting me at Turnbull Wildlife Refuge 1/5/26.

Photographer: Mark Hendrickson
Two house finches enjoying a brief period of sunshine in my back yard on January 3rd.

Photographer: Jim Summers
Great Grey Owl, often called "phantom of the north" because of their hunting ability. What a treat to see. Taken 12/31/25 at Turnbull Wildlife Refuge.

Photographer: Mark Hendrickson
Full Wolf Moon

Photographer: Mary Jo Stauner
Lake heights,Bellevue,wa. Corner of 119th avenue se and coal creek pkwy. December 28,2025

Photographer: Vern Steen
I felt I sent you Gavin Rolwes's best images from his stay here for winter break from Az State U.. We'll, he pulled off this unbelievable shot of the Great Gray Owl Thursday. He leaves next Friday for Mesa, Az and his second semester. Truthfully, I feel it is his best image of the season. The owl launched directly into his camera and all elements came together to achieve this memorable image. Taken Friday, 01-02-26 in the wet drippy fields of Turnbull. A memorable day with my Grandson Gavin Rolwes.

Photographer: Gavin R O L W E S
A Bald Eagle watches intently, 1-2-26, Pend Oreille River Valley

Photographer: Nia Patton
This image was taken New Years Eve 12-31-25 in the Cheney area. My grandson tracked the owl for about 250 yards through fields in the park road. In a period of five hours, the owl bagged four voles. The Great Gray Owl is quite rare. Gavin returns to AZ State U this coming Thursday. If selection comes down to my image or his, please give deference to Gavin's. Thanks for all you do for all of us.

Photographer: Gavin R O L W E S (Submitted by Jerry R o l w e s // his gramps :-)
Went looking for ducks at Cannon Hill Park and found ice skaters playing hockey this end of December.

Photographer: Melaine Williams