Nancy Cherry Eifert

Dosewallips (doh’-si-wall-ips) River Hike

Spring has finally arrived in the PNW with temperatures nearing 70 degrees (those of you in the south can stop laughing). Spring fever has us taking advantage of every nice day for camping or just day-hiking and last Sunday we opted for the Dosewallips River Trail.

Dropping the top on the Miata (for the first time since last October) we cruised down HWY 101 along the Hood Canal. This scenic drive is one of the prettiest in Washington with views of snowcapped mountains, wetlands and big mossy trees. In nearly every eddy along the canal we saw numerous ducks, geese and cormorants with an occasional bald eagle soaring or perched on tree branches.

We chose a portion of this trail that parallels the river, is mostly flat and in the sun except for the first half mile which is under the tree canopy. The river was rushing full force from recent rain and snowmelt and waterfalls were abundant. About a mile and a half in is a campground for backpackers complete with picnic tables, fire pits and pit toilets. The campground used to be for car camping too but the road washed out about 10 years ago so now it’s assessable only by foot or horse. We sat on a downed tree by the river and watched the harlequin ducks navigating the whirlpools in the swift current. Several deer passed by us, a doe with two of last years fawns. The sun was still high and the long shadows I’d hoped for to help create a good photograph were non-existent. But that didn’t stop me from snapping away at the flowers, ducks, river and surrounding mountains.

Note to self; next time take backpacks or trailer and spend a night or two capturing those early morning and late evening magic photos.

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Nancy Cherry Eifert

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Sidonie’s Cooking Classes

For the past three weeks I’ve had a wonderful experience attending and photographing Sidonie’s ‘Indian Cooking Class’ series in Port Townsend. The series consists of four classes each focusing on a different area of India. I have learned a great deal from her about the foods of each, the warmer, heavier cooking in the north to the vegetarian and spicy dishes of the southern regions. From the breads to the sacred meals and street foods, India is a culinary and cultural delight and Sidonie’s classes are too! Sidonie’s 36 years of culinary artistry combined with her experience as an educator creates a relaxed and informational hands-on experience.

Her upcoming cooking series “Sweet Rice and Ritual: Asian Festivities” is not to be missed. If you live in or near Port Townsend (or visiting) here is the schedule. For information or registration  please contact Sidonie at 360-385-1107 or sidomaroon@yahoo.com.

I’ve taken many of Sidonie’s classes over the past few years and I’m always impressed with her expertise and knowledge. I know she spends hour upon hour researching and experimenting with recipes to insure each class is a success. For more photos of Sidonie’s classes visit my website at: http://nancycherryeifert.com/albums/album1/album.html and click on ‘Events.’

Hope to see you there!

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Nancy Cherry Eifert

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Meet Sekiu

More than 15,000 people voted in naming Seattle Aquarium’s new baby otter. Sekiu was the winning name from five choices, Willapa, Shi Shi, Elwha, Sekiu and Sequim. ‘Miracle’ didn’t even make the top 5. I voted for Shi Shi (pronounced Shy Shy) but Sekiu was my second choice.

Last week I visited Sekiu, Aniak (mom) and Lootas (grandma) to see how much the pup has grown. At 7.5 weeks she weighs 13 pounds and is eating solid food, shrimp being a favorite. Now when Sekiu nurses Aniak floats much lower in the water. She’s starting to loosing her natal fluff and can dive to about 2 feet before bobbing back to the surface. It won’t be long before she’s diving to the bottom, rolling over sideways and pounding things to her chest. She’s growing up fast!

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Nancy Cherry Eifert

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Seattle Aquarium’s Furry Miracle

“It’s a girl!” Just announced by the Seattle Times. She’s 11 days old today. Monday I visited the Seattle Aquarium in hopes of photographing the new sea otter pup (sex was still unknown). Seattleites have been hoping for a female, which would remain here, if it had been a male his destiney was another aquarium.

I chatted with a few of the aquarium staff  while watching Aniak groom and nurse her new baby. She held the pup on her belly, turning her over and over again to groom every inch of her little body, taking a break now and then to let her nurse. Occasionally Aniak would place the pup on the ‘curbing’ and then feed and groom herself. Aniak would also lay the pup next to her on the water, the natal pelage (fluffy pup fur) allowing her to float like a cork! At 6 weeks old she’ll begin hedding this fur and by 10 weeks her coat will look more like that of an adult. She’ll begin diving and eating solid food duing this time.

 But, what’s special about the new pup? She was unexpected, an “accident.” Surprised as I was to hear this I now understand. The aquarium isn’t for ‘breeding’ but for the rescue and rehabiliation of marine animals. In fact, Aniak was on birth control when she got pregnant. Yes, apparently it happens in the animal kingdom just as with us humans. So, not only was this little pup conceived on ‘birth control’ but her chance of living at birth was 50%. Because sea otters are born underwater the pup must make it to the surface for it’s first breath…only half of all pups  born make it there before taking a breath. Two strikes against her yet here she is, a very fluffy 4 lb. creature with the cutest button nose and eyes that are hard to see beneath all the downy fur.

Check out the Seattle Aquarium’s website for more info and a chance to ”name the new baby otter.” http://blog.seattleaquarium.org/marine-animals/aniaks-pup-has-arrived/.  I’m thinking about the name ‘Miracle.’

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Nancy Cherry Eifert

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Ho! Ho! Ho! Happy Holidays to All!

From our home to yours, may magic fill your days and all
your dreams come true this holiday season.

This photo of Chimacum Creek, a stone’s throw from our
home, was taken last year. It wont be a White Christmas this year, it’s a
‘balmy’ 45 degrees outside. Okay, friends and family living in the southwest,
you can stop laughing now!

Peace to all,

Nancy, Larry & of course Harry the Cat!

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Nancy Cherry Eifert

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Autumn – Cool Days…Cooler Nights

As the summer sun moves southward the atmosphere and pace of the Pacific Northwest soften. Cooler days and nights bring the warm colors of autumn to life. Sunsets become more vibrant, leaves change to hues of gold, orange, red and brown. There are now more ‘locals’ than tourists at the farmer’s market, with it’s bounty of fall fruits and root vegetables. The days are much shorter, the nights longer and the harvest moon is on the horizon at dusk, which is now 4:45 p.m.

These are two of my favorite photos of this autumn in Port Townsend. On my way into town a few days ago I stopped to admire the sunset. As I sat on the hood of my car, camera in hand, a small plane passed in front of the clouds and I quickly took a few shots. I love the colors of the sunset and the way the tiny plane hints at the grandeur and vastness of the sky. It comes close to the feeling I experience when flying, being extremely small in the infinite sky. Then, the next morning I was outside feeding the critters as golden sunrays streamed through the Bigleaf maple in our backyard. As I looked down at the leaf-covered grass the shades and shapes of the freshly frosted leaves caught my eye, anoth photo-op.

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Nancy Cherry Eifert

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