Your Outdoors Photos: February 2018

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.

NOTE: Before photos show up on 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!

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

Tue., Feb. 6, 2018

Photos in This Album

Willing the snow away. This Buttercup was surrounded by snow but was standing its ground. North bank of the Spokane River just west of Harvard Road, Liberty Lake Feb 26, 2018

Photographer: Melaine Williams
HAPPY SPRING! Its official, I found the 1st Buttercups of the season on the north bank of the Spokane River just west of Harvard Road. In our area the Buttercups trump groundhogs any day! Liberty Lake, Feb 26, 2018

Photographer: Melaine Williams
Juvenile bald eagle-image shot in Pend Oreille County along the river

Photographer: Joanie Christian
We had a gorgeous clear day over the weekend, and I captured this image of a mature bald eagle scouring the field for its next meal.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
We first spotted these coyotes playing with one another in the snow. They then got serious and lay down in the snow, watching the waterfowl along the shore. Taken at Lake Roosevelt.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
This raven was a stark contrast to the blue green background and light bark of the trees, which made an interesting composition.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
One of my favorite parts of winter are the times that alpenglow can be seen. This phenomenon appears as a pinkish red glow near the horizon opposite of the Sun when the Sun has sunk below the horizon. It is particularly noticeable on a clear day after a fresh snow. Many confuse this to be when a sunrise or sunset reflects off the mountains or clouds, but true alpenglow is only visible after sunset or before sunrise. This image is 5 shots that have been stitched together to create this horizontal panorama shot.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
One of two coyotes we observed together along Lake Roosevelt. They were at first frisky and playing, then they laid down in the snow scouting the waterfowl. This one had spotted me and was just about ready to bolt into the woods.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Closeup of a bald eagle in flight. These juvenile bald eagles look very similar to a golden eagle, but there are some differences in markings and plumage characteristics.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
A shaft of sunshine illluminates the dense forest, as snow crystals fall from a tree, creating a magical fairy dust effect. Shot just off a country road in north Stevens County.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Bald eagle in flight-taken in Pend Oreille County along the river.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Dramatic sky at Tiger Meadows near the Little Pend Oreille Lakes

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Spokane River winter reflections

Photographer: Bruce Turner
A frigid Lake Pend Oreille from the Farragut State Park viewpoint. Taken Wednesday, February 21st.

Photographer: Steve Davidson
The ducks were all in on this visit from a little guy enjoying the sunny but frigid Spokane River along Upriver Drive on Monday 3/19/2018.

Photographer: Melaine Williams
Eurasian collared dove-considered an invasive species, but beautiful birds.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
The quail love to be on top of all kinds of things in our backyard--large rocks, the fence, birdhouses, and here on top of a lawn ornament. It was a pretty picture with the falling snow. Image shot in Colville.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Quail and Eurasian collared dove taking shelter in a dormant weeping cherry tree. Image taken in Colville

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Black capped chickadee foraging pine cone seeds

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Eurasian collared dove on branches covered in hoar frost.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Male quail on snowy branch-taken in Colville

Photographer: Joanie Christian
It makes me chuckle to see the quail that often pass by this sign in our front yard in Colville.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Quail hens posing nicely in the snow

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Quail foraging after a snowstorm-shot in Colville

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Kayaking at Lake Roosevelt during an unseasonably warm February day

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Trumpeter swans taking flight at Lake Roosevelt

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Trumpeter swans at Lake Roosevelt

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Eurasian Collared Dove-considered an invasive species, but beautiful birds

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Mountain Chickadee

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Eurasian collared dove-these are considered an invasive species, but are beautiful.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
White breasted Nuthatch on pine branch

Photographer: Joanie Christian
White breasted nut hatch clinging to a pine tree

Photographer: Joanie Christian
A white breasted nut hatch

Photographer: Joanie Christian
A juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk looking for a meal on a very cold winter day. Taken in Cheney WA on Feb 20 18

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney WA.
Bald Eagle surveying his domain. Spokane Valley Feb., 14 2018.

Photographer: mike forster
Taken out by Mohab Junction 2011. Immature Bald Eagle surveying the scene below.

Photographer: mike forster
My. Spokane just as the sun descends.

Photographer: Heather Moore
Mt. Spokane at sunset.

Photographer: Heather Moore
Dinner time for the Artic Snowy owl just as the sun is setting.Taken February 12, 2018.

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney WA
This friendly downy woodpecker visits our tree daily in Cheney. Photo taken on February 12, 2018.

Photographer: Cindy Miller
Flying High at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. Two pairs of Trumpeter Swans gave a show on Saturday in spite of the chilly weather, calling and flying back and forth from Cheever Lake to Middle Pine.

Photographer: Carlene Hardt
The Liberty Lake Loop Trail is a wonderfully wild trail. You can hear the stream running even on the rare occasions it's not right along side the trail. Liberty Lake Loop Trail, Liberty Lake, Wa. Sunday February 11, 2018

Photographer: Melaine Williams
The Bridge over the stream at the Cedar Grove on the Liberty Lake Loop Trail, Liberty Lake, Wa. This trail is the most beautifully wild areas I have ever explored! Sunday February 11, 2018

Photographer: Melaine Williams
This doe seems to be sure I can't see her behind the twigs. Her color does blend in nicely . Liberty Lake Trail, February 7, 2018.

Photographer: Melaine Williams
Sunset over Lake Coeur d' Alene from Tubbs Hill

Photographer: David Taylor
Female American Goldfinch trying to stay warm in filtered sun February 9, 2018 on my driveway

Photographer: mike forster
Bald Eagle hunting over a field, Spokane Valley February 5, 2018

Photographer: mike forster
The Snowy Owls legs are well protected from the harsh cold of the Arctic. Taken February 7, 2018

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney WA
Most powerful fliers they are so beautiful. They can fly with great speed. Taken February 7, 2018 east of Davenport WA.

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney WA.
'Dragon at Sunset'. Snow Ghosts or Hoodoos as some call them, take on fascinating shapes and caricatures as Winter's Snow and Ice gathers as in this scene from the summit of Mt. Spokane January 30, 2018.

Photographer: Donald Sewell, dba Sewell Scenics Photography
Immature eagle Spokane valley February 6th 2018

Photographer: mike forster
'Snowshoeing on Top of the World' Two Snowshoer's distant descending from the summit of Mt. Spokane 01-25-18. I had just met the couple Ron Wright & Betty Todd earlier at the Vista House. Snow Hoodoos and the ever-changing clouds that day provided this stunning image.

Photographer: Donald Sewell, Sewell Scenics Photography
'Gingerbread House' The historic 1933 Vista House atop Mt. Spokane on 01-25-18.

Photographer: Donald Sewell, Sewell Scenics Photography
'Cornice'. Wind-swept snows provided this compelling image near the Vista House atop Mt. Spokane on 01-25-18. In the distance is Spirit Lake Idaho.

Photographer: Donald Sewell, Sewell Scenics Photography
A very content Mallard Duck near the Spokane River.

Photographer: mike forster
Canadian Honkers Spokane River February 5.

Photographer: mike forster
Canadian Honkers Spokane River February 5.

Photographer: mike forster
Mated for life...Canadian Honkers. Spokane River.

Photographer: mike forster
Got a good close up of this mallard. February 5, Spokane River

Photographer: mike forster
Nice looking Mallard on Spokane River February 5, 2018

Photographer: mike forster
Good bye El Nino ... as these two Canadian Honkers are mating. Spokane River Feb. 5, 2018.

Photographer: mike forster
This gentleman was enjoying the spring-like weather and early run off kayaking the rapids on the Spokane River near Flora on February 4, 2018.

Photographer: Melaine Williams
While driving around in rural Pend Oreille County, I spotted this 'mouser' in a barn, carefully watching from his vantage point atop the hay bale. He was on a mission. I love coming across shots like this one....scenes from everyday life in rural America that often get overlooked.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
A male American Kestrel perched on a wire briefly diverts its attention away from scouting the field for food.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
A pretty scene along the Pend Oreille River today. Winter has a beauty all its own, but I can also relate to this quote: 'In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move.' For us, it is a down time, but also a time of preparation for adventures ahead.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Lunar Eclipse January 31, 2018, 5:28 am. Taken shooting toward the west from Marshall, Washington. Really neat to see the moon slowly being covered.

Photographer: Melaine Williams
The Super blue, blood, eclipse moon.

Photographer: Lori Pence