- History buffs know that western Washington has not only a rich natural history, but also a military history that spans more than a century. Fort Flagler State Park is a piece of Washington’s historical first line of defense against maritime threats to metropolitan areas of Puget Sound. The fort was constructed in 1897 and was active until 1953. Many of the fort’s original buildings and artillery batteries are remarkably well preserved and free to explore, and several of the original officers’ houses can be rented for the night. In the summer, visitors can also take a volunteer-guided tour of the gun emplacements and other historic sites for a small donation. Perched on high bluffs and surrounded on three sides by water, the park offers panoramic views as well as a perfect vantage point for observing ship traffic into and out of Puget Sound.
- Zimbabwe Bird (Wikipedia)
The stone-carved Zimbabwe Bird is the national emblem of Zimbabwe, appearing on the national flags and coats of arms of both Zimbabwe and former Rhodesia, as well as on banknotes and coins (first on the Rhodesian pound and then on the Rhodesian dollar). It probably represents the bateleur eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) or the African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer). The bird’s design is derived from a number of soapstone sculptures found in the ruins of the medieval city of Great Zimbabwe.