Sea anemones get a bad rap. Not only do they have to share their name (“anemos” is the Greek word for wind) with a flower species, compared to a translucent, pulsing jellyfish; a brightly colored, pincered crab; or an alien-like, squishy sea slug, they don’t …
Hiking North Beach Trail
By Jack Hartt People ask me which of the trails we write about is my favorite. I always joke that it is the last trail I just walked, whatever trail that may be, as I am captured by whatever that trail has to offer. But when given a choice, there are a …
The Black-Tailed Deer
By Matthew Klope, Retired Wildlife Biologist We have all seen the Black-tailed deer throughout the park, but did you know that the Black-tailed deer is really a Mule deer? Well, a subspecies of the Mule deer. There are actually six subspecies of the Mule …
Park Transitions
By Jason Armstrong, Area Manager Deception Pass State Park has had a real strange year in 2020, much like many other parks in the system. Think back prior to COVID-19, the Deception Pass Park Foundation was ready to kick off their first fun run in the …
Deception Pass Bridge Project News
Repair work on the Deception Pass Bridge resumed last month. Travelers should plan for limited parking along SR 20 and sidewalk closures. Deception Pass State Park and all businesses in the area will remain open during construction. Those planning spring and …
Star Parties
By Bob Scott, Island County Astronomical Society Many people think Astronomers are a solitary type of person, they see a picture of an Astronomer by themselves at a telescope. Astronomy is even more enjoyable when you can share it. That is why there are …
Nudibranch Whisperer of Deception Pass
By Jullee Rudolf Sea slugs cast a spell on me…and it all began with fake news. Well, semi-fake. Okay, it was actually two photographs, and the one that cast the spell wasn’t exactly fake, but it wasn’t of “the” sea slug. It was a vibrantly-colored …
The Fidalgo Rock Quarry and Convict Camp, Deception Pass
By Terry Slotemaker, Anacortes Museum Educator, Retired High on the cliff above the often turbulent tidal currents of Deception Pass there was once a rock quarry worked by convicts. It was located on the north side of the Pass on Fidalgo Island, approximately …
The Fidalgo Rock Quarry and Convict Camp, Deception PassRead More
Meet Louanne!
It was within my first year of living in Washington that a colleague told me about Deception Pass State Park. I still remember my reaction as I turned the corner and came upon the bridges. It took my breath away! Since then, I have spent the last five years …
Volunteer News-October 2020
Fall is in full swing and winter is fast approaching, the visitors and campers are heading home, which means, there are several areas that “we”, as volunteers can help the in the park. The Adopt-A-Trail, Adopt-A-Beach, Gardening/Landscaping and Painting …
When your eyes may be bigger than your stomach!
By Dr. Cindy Elliser We have all done it. You see something delicious and think, “yes I can eat that whole thing!”, only to figure out part way through that your eyes were bigger than your stomach. Well, it turns out that harbor porpoises may do that …
Welcome Back to the Park!
By Jason Armstrong Deception Pass State Park opened up last week. I am certain the visitors have experienced that Deception Pass is the busiest park in the state. In part, this is due to the iconic bridge that spans Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island. …