Your Outdoors Photos: May 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

Wed., May 2, 2018

Photos in This Album

A very large bumblebee inside the Manito Conservatory. How did they get in!? Who knows! We loved watching this one go nuts in the cactus.

Photographer: Heather Kaer
Just a good smell later! Our son, Josiah enjoying the lilacs at Lilac Gardens. Manito Park.

Photographer: Heather Kaer
A wonderful fungus/mushroom on a tree during our walk off the trails of Manito Park. It had some interesting holes.

Photographer: Heather Kaer
Took care of a few weeds and saw this lovely hornet/yellow jacket. Never seen a white colored nest before.

Photographer: Heather Kaer
One Eyed Sphinx Moth Twin Lakes, Idaho.

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Sunset from Saltese Uplands, May 2018.

Photographer: Bruce Turner
Sunset on the vines at Arbor Crest Winery after a Sunday evening concert. Photo taken May 27, 2018.

Photographer: Patti Livingstone
Trail riding at the old Lakeview Ranch near Odessa. The wildflowers are in full bloom now and numerous lakes are filled with runoff. Taken May 27, Odessa Lakeview Ranch.

Photographer: Cindy Miller
Riding at the old Lakeview Ranch a few miles from Odessa. There are numerous trails traveling through the basalt scab lands and around the numerous lakes that are filled with water from runoff.

Photographer: Cindy Miller
A Great Egret blowing in the wind west medical lake.

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney W.A.
Beautiful Swallowtail Butterfly's have started showing up, drawn to the spring flowers that are blooming. Marshall, Wa 5/24/2018

Photographer: Melaine Williams
Barns near Freeman

Photographer: Miles Bergsma
May Flowers...

Photographer: Miles Bergsma
Bigelow Gulch Sunset on 5/23

Photographer: Miles Bergsma
Tundra Swan by Newman lake I got today..never seen one before!

Photographer: mike forster
A Canada Honker stretching a bit in a pond by Hauser Lake May 23rd

Photographer: mike forster
Such a gorgeous walk around the Cheney Wetlands trail off of the Columbia Plateau Trail! This Redwing Blackbird seemed to enjoying posing for pictures. May 22, 2018

Photographer: Melaine Williams
05-05-18 'Waiting for a Princess'. I was back-filling/planting a new Tree out at our Cabin near Lake Roosevelt when this little guy fell out of my shovel full of dirt...he must have burrowed into the dirt pile overnight. After a gentle shower from my garden hose nozzle he cleaned up pretty well and seemed happy to cool off. Some of the most amazing things happen when you least expect them. :)

Photographer: Donald Sewell
05-01-18 Some of the last open spaces on Five Mile Prairie, I love this combination of gorgeous spring Sunset colors with majestic Oak Tree and small Barn that's all that remains of what was once a family farm. Urban sprawl is all around me here but I managed to squeeze out this narrow window of opportunity.

Photographer: Donald Sewell
A Great Gray Owl watches me very intently as I pass by often called the old man of the forest they are the largest owl in North America some 27 inches tall but weight very little only around 2 lbs. To see one is a real thrill. Photo taken near Walla Walla W.A.

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney W.A.
Hog Canyon Lake hike

Photographer: Jane McDonald
Hog Canyon Lake hike

Photographer: Jane McDonald
Beauty and the Beast. From the Lilac Garden at Manito 05-16-18. While I'm used to seeing bees and butterflies around these perfumed beauties i was amazed to find this large dragonfly just hanging out. :)

Photographer: Donald Sewell
all 3 sit tight waiting for mom to return with breakfast. Taken onTurnbull wildlife refuge 5 16 18.

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney W.A.
A pair of Great Horned owlets look skyward as Canada geese fly over their perch. Taken 5 16 18 on Turnbull wildlife refuge.

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney W.A.
Three owlets in the early morning sun on Turnbull wildlife refuge sharing the same perch, not something you see every day. Taken 5 16 18.

Photographer: Bucking Domitrovich Cheney W.A.
Dragonfly's come in such vibrant colors, there are always a lot of blue ones along the Columbia Plateau Trail. 5/15/18

Photographer: Melaine Williams
The Dragonfly's were out today 5/15/18 along the Columbia Plateau Trail east of the Cheney/Spangle trailhead.

Photographer: Melaine Williams
The best place for a little green Pacific tree frog to hide is on a big green skunk cabbage leaf. This fellow was enjoying the view next to a stream on the Saint George's School campus on May 7, 2018.

Photographer: John Carter
I love walking in Riverside State Park as all of the flowers begin to bloom in the Spring.

Photographer: Patti Livingstone
This Squirreler is waiting for breakfast. Caption: "Did someone plan to restock the nut bar in this buffet line?"

Photographer: Leslie Woodfill
In Honor of Mothers! This mama has set up her nest on the roof of my porch. The babes made their first appearance just in time for Mother's Day! Caption: " Me? You think I'm a great mama?" or "Is someone going to bring me breakfast in bed?"

Photographer: Leslie Woodfill
After a heavy rain this Virginia rail in full mating colors came out to take a look around. I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Turnbull wildlife refuge May 9 2018.

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney WA.
Fairy slipper Orchid Latah County 5/6//018

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
Maks and Owen Page getting month 23 in a row on Mt Spokane with our dog Bruin

Photographer: TR Page
A beautiful Drake Wood Duck takes part in natures water color class. Taken May 8 18 Turnbull wildlife refuge.

Photographer: Buck Domitrovich Cheney WA.
This trail along the Spokane river near the Centennial Trail always is a very magical one. A lot of low hanging trees and some falling over the path to make natural arbors. May 7, 2018

Photographer: Melaine Williams
The robins were busy along the Centennial Trail near the Maringo Trail head yesterday, May 7, 2018

Photographer: Melaine Williams
The Oregon Grape are in full bloom along the Centennial Trail the beginning of May this year.

Photographer: Melaine Williams
Ladybugs on wall of the Vista House on top of Mt Spokane Sunday

Photographer: Wes Hedrick
Though commonly known for their beautiful black and white plumage, when the sunlight hits them, their eyes glow red and the iridescent colors on their head and neck are highlighted. Gorgeous birds. Image taken in Stevens County.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
This loon had just surfaced from a dive underwater and was preening during this beautiful wing display. They also display their wings as territorial behavior. Image taken in Stevens County.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
Loons have amazing waterproofing, coming up from underwater covered in small beads of water. Image taken in Stevens County.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
This loon pair isn't nesting yet, as their nesting platform is still submerged underwater. These loons were the most people friendly ones I have been around, and they swam close to my kayak for a long time. They were not the least bit apprehensive about me, which is unusual for loons. Their telltale black and white plumage is very striking, but the evening light showed that these aren't just black and white birds. As the sun shines on them, their red eyes glow, and the iridescent colors on their head and necks are just beautiful. Image taken in Stevens County. The landscape with the snow still on the mountains in the background, was shot at Big Meadow Lake.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
A lovely scene of Big Meadow Lake with mountains still covered in snow in the background.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
I spotted this coyote far in the distance in a meadow hunting. It's stance told me that it would soon be pouncing, so I just sat tight, ready at the shutter until he made his move. Taken in Stevens County.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
A look inside a tulip in Manito Park. Sunday, May 6th.

Photographer: Sue Orlowski
Each year the Columbia Hills State Park experiences, at times, spectacular blooms of Arrowleaf Balsam Root and Lupin. This was taken this year during that bloom. The old car is located on State Park land. No one to my knowledge knows how it got there, but it provides a great piece of subject matter for photographers.

Photographer: Michael Brandt
Shooting Stars Mica Peak Conservation Area 5.2.2018

Photographer: Bob Salsbury
I took this image in the Colville Valley on a day with dramatic lighting following a rainstorm. Dark clouds, and sunshine hitting the bright green trees and grass made a beautiful composition.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
This yellow headed blackbird perched on some reeds at the edge of a pond in Stevens County.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
This juvenile bald landed in a snag after an unsuccessful attempt to steal a fish from an osprey. I photographed him for quite a while as the moon rose behind him. It was a beautiful sight.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
I watched this osprey catch a fish and then perch on a dead snag to eat its meal. A juvenile bald eagle swooped in to try and steal the fish, but the osprey was able to hang onto it. After a mid air chase, the eagle gave up, and the osprey returned to the snag to finish its meal.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
I watched this osprey catch a rainbow trout and then land in a dead snag, where it proceeded to eat its dinner. It was interrupted by a juvenile bald eagle, who tried unsuccessfully to steal the fish. After a mid air chase, the eagle gave up, and the osprey returned to the snag to finish its meal.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
This juvenile bald eagle in flight was taken at a lake in Stevens County. I had been watching it for quite a while, after witnessing it trying to steal a fish from an osprey. For quite a while, I took pictures of it perched in a snag with the moon rising behind it. It finally got tired of all my photo snapping and took off in search of its next meal.

Photographer: Joanie Christian
American Goldfinch-image taken in Colville, WA

Photographer: Joanie Christian
A beautiful night time scene in Riverfront park.

Photographer: Joanie Christian