We enjoy traveling in search of wildlife. We typically travel several times a year to foreign countries seeking out something new to photograph. In February 2020 we traveled to Kenya and Tanzania, returning just weeks before the COVID lock-downs started. At the time, we did not know that this would be our last international trip in almost two years.
We had already booked trips to travel in 2020 and 2021 to Indonesia (Komodo dragons), the Galapagos, Mongolia (snow leopards), South Africa (aardvarks and pangolins), Madagascar (lemurs) and India (tigers). All of these trips were put on hold due to COVID. We were not sure when we would be able to travel again internationally.
Prior to the pandemic, our friends in Oregon had challenged us to a competition to see which couple could see the most species of birds in their respective state in the year. We did not think that we could win this challenge. With our international travel limited, it inspired us to see how many birds we could photograph while also seeking to view and photograph other wildlife within the state of Washington.
In March 2020 with the COVID pandemic and the worldwide lock-downs in place, we were initially limited to travels in our own back yard. Luckily, we live in an area that is rich in wildlife and we enjoy photographing here. With the Hurricane Ridge Road closed, our adventures in Washington state began with daily walks along the Olympic Discovery Trail.
We followed state guidelines and stayed close to home as we have direct access to the Trail in front of our house. We also spent some time bicycling and even to our amazement we made it to the top of Hurricane Ridge on June 1.
When Olympic National Park finally opened later in June, we spent time photographing there. Every time we went out we had our camera gear with us, prepared to take photos.
Our first adventure outside of the local area took us to central and eastern Washington bird watching and fishing. We returned there in July and also went to Mount Rainier to view the Neowise comet. We traveled to Ocean City, Moclips and Westport to go bird watching and razor clamming. We also spent time at the Hoh Rainforest, Lake Ozette and Mora.
Our travels were limited to Washington from March 2020 through March 2021. As travel eventually opened up beyond our borders we started to venture out of state, trips that will be the basis for another show in the future!
We hope that this presentation and these photographs will inspire you to spend more time exploring the state of Washington.
About the presenters
We are wildlife and nature photographers. We have been photographing nature for more than 40 years together making trips to all seven continents in search of extraordinary wildlife. Ken started taking wildlife photographs in high school and in college while majoring in Wildlife Biology. Mary joined Ken as a photographer after meeting at UNH and together we share a global passion for “fuzzy fixes.”
Images are taken with an eye on capturing wildlife in action or reflecting the natural beauty of the world around us. We have had photographs published in local and national magazines, brochures and calendars and provide photographic presentations to various community groups including camera clubs, garden clubs, schools, senior groups and conservation organizations.
We donate our images to nonprofits for use in educational materials and to teach others about global biodiversity. We previously worked as bio-reporters providing photographic images to GLOBIO, a children’s educational website which is designed to teach children around the world about global biodiversity.
We moved from New Hampshire to Port Angeles in 2007 looking for a home with more wildlife viewing opportunities.
About the presentations
Traveler’s Journal, a presentation of the Peninsula Trails Coalition, raises funds to buy project supplies and food for volunteers working on Olympic Discovery Trail projects. Shows start at 7 p.m. at the Dungeness River Nature Center, 2099 W. Hendrickson Road. Suggested donation is $5 for adults. To protect speakers and others, attendees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend the presentations; have vaccination cards available at the door. For more information, email Arvo Johnson at amjcgj@gmail.com.
2022 Traveler’s Journal
When: 7 p.m., Thursday, March 31 (door open at 6:30 p.m.)
Presenters: Mary and Ken Campbell
Presentation: “20/20 Visions of Nature in Washington During our Year-Long Travel Restrictions”
Where: Dungeness River Nature Center, 2099 W. Hendrickson Road
Cost: Suggested $5 donation
Coming up: “Traveling Through Europe by Cycle & Train” with Mark Cohen and Kate Titus, April 7
An American coot chick at Lake Washington. Photo by Mary and Ken Campbell
An Anna’s hummingbird feeds her chicks in Sequim in May 2020. Photo by Mary and Ken Campbell
Blue damselflies mating at the Dry Creek Waterfowl Sanctuary near Port-Angeles. Photo by Mary and Ken Campbell
A bull moose at Lake Okanogan.
An Olympic chipmunk snacks on Old Man’s Whiskers blossoms at Olympic National Park’s Hurricane Hill. Photo by Mary and Ken Campbell
Photos by Mary and Ken Campbell An Olympic marmot calling, just off of Obstruction Point Road in Olympic National Park.
A river otter feeds on a great sculpin near the Olympic Discovery Trail in Port Angeles.
Roosevelt Elk calves explore the Elwha Valley. Photo by Mary and Ken Campbell
