↓Skip to main content
  1. Writing/

Troll Spotting In The Pacific Northwest

·1815 words
travel seattle photos camera pnw pacific-northwest
Table of Contents
This blog post is part of a 📸 photography series on this website. Occasionally I take photos and aggregate them here.

2024 is coming to an end, and I wanted to share an experience that my wife and I classified as one of the most memorable from the past year - troll spotting, right here, in the Pacific Northwest.

Thomas Dambo, a Danish artist known for his masterful use of recycled materials to create giant art installations, has generously provided his time, creativity, and resources to build a number of trolls around the Seattle area. There are, of course, more around the world, but because we’re local, we decided to start exploring the ones around us first (part of the Northwest Trolls - Way of the Bird King collection).

By the way - there are five around Seattle metro, and one in Portland, but we haven’t gotten to that one yet. Very soon we will, though!

The trolls are fantastic! They are made entirely of recycled wood, and I think send a very worthwhile message - what we see around us as trash truly might not be. Looking for the trolls also was a nice forcing function to get out and explore places right around us that we haven’t gotten to. I highly recommend you check out the troll map and go and try spotting the trolls near you.

To find each troll, we designated a day that will be our “troll viewing” part of the week. And frankly - you will need to dedicate a day to get to each troll, see it, and experience the area near it. If you’re going to try and spot them yourself, do yourself a favor and don’t cram everything in one day.

Jakob Two Trees #

The first troll that we wanted to find was Jakob Two Trees in Issaquah. It was a bit of a drive to get there, but it was totally worth it.

The first sign that we have arrived was a pole with birdhouses on it - a marker Thomas uses to tell you that you’re close to a troll.

Birdhouses before a troll trail in Issaquah.
Birdhouses before a troll trail in Issaquah.
Birdhouses before a troll trail in Issaquah.
Birdhouses before a troll trail in Issaquah.
Trail leading to Jakob Two Trees in Issaquah.
Trail leading to Jakob Two Trees in Issaquah.

What’s wonderful about this installation is that it was built in collaboration with the Snoqualmie Tribe. The ponytail holder and the bracelet are made by local tribe members.

Jakob Two Trees description plate near the troll.
Jakob Two Trees description plate near the troll.
Jakob Two Trees in all his might.
Jakob Two Trees in all his might.
Jakob Two Trees and his ponytail.
Jakob Two Trees and his ponytail.
A close-up of Jakob's ponytail.
A close-up of Jakob’s ponytail.
Birdhouses on the way back.
Birdhouses on the way back.
Birdhouses on the way back.
Birdhouses on the way back.

Around Jakob you will find a trail that is worth walking through, especially on a sunny day - the green canopy protected us from the heatwave we’ve experienced in the area.

Bruun Idun #

Next stop was Bruun Idun, who plays the flute for the orcas of the Puget Sound. To get there, we had to drive to West Seattle and then take a somewhat long walk through Lincoln Park to get to the beach trail, but it was absolutely worth it.

The day also wasn’t too hot, so we took it nice and slow, enjoying the scenery around us.

Beach trail along Lincoln Park in West Seattle.
Beach trail along Lincoln Park in West Seattle.
Beach trail along Lincoln Park in West Seattle.
Beach trail along Lincoln Park in West Seattle.
Bruun Idun.
Bruun Idun.
Bruun Idun marker.
Bruun Idun marker.
Bruun Idun under the tree.
Bruun Idun under the tree.
Bruun Idun playing her flute.
Bruun Idun playing her flute.
A close-up of Bruun Idun playing her flute.
A close-up of Bruun Idun playing her flute.
Bruun Idun's description plate near the troll.
Bruun Idun’s description plate near the troll.
The view into the Puget Sound.
The view into the Puget Sound.
The view into the Puget Sound.
The view into the Puget Sound.
The view into the Puget Sound.
The view into the Puget Sound.
Ferry terminal in West Seattle.
Ferry terminal in West Seattle.
Ferry coming back to West Seattle.
Ferry coming back to West Seattle.
Ferry coming back to West Seattle.
Ferry coming back to West Seattle.
Ferry docking at the terminal in West Seattle.
Ferry docking at the terminal in West Seattle.

Since we were in West Seattle, we also took a detour to Alki Beach to check out the Seattle skyline - it’s one thing to live on the other side of the “pond,” but it’s a whole different experience to see your own skyline from across.

Space Needle as seen from Alki Beach.
Space Needle as seen from Alki Beach.
A cargo ship at anchor, waiting to dock at Port of Seattle.
A cargo ship at anchor, waiting to dock at Port of Seattle.
Close-up of Seattle from Alki Beach.
Close-up of Seattle from Alki Beach.

Oh yeah, and we saw a barge carrying a bunch of random things, including a garbage truck that looks like a toy in comparison with all the other massive things loaded up onto it.

Close-up of Seattle from Alki Beach.
Close-up of Seattle from Alki Beach.
Close-up of the Port of Seattle and Lumen Field from Alki Beach.
Close-up of the Port of Seattle and Lumen Field from Alki Beach.
Seattle skyline as seen from Alki Beach.
Seattle skyline as seen from Alki Beach.

Frankie Feetsplinters #

The third troll on our journey was Frankie Feetspliters, located near the National Nordic Museum in Ballard.

Frankie Feetspliters near the National Nordic Museum.
Frankie Feetspliters near the National Nordic Museum.
Frankie Feetspliters near the National Nordic Museum.
Frankie Feetspliters near the National Nordic Museum.
Frankie Feetspliters description plate near the National Nordic Museum.
Frankie Feetspliters description plate near the National Nordic Museum.
Frankie Feetspliters description plate near the National Nordic Museum.
Frankie Feetspliters description plate near the National Nordic Museum.
Close-up of Frankie Feetspliters.
Close-up of Frankie Feetspliters.
Profile view of Frankie Feetspliters.
Profile view of Frankie Feetspliters.

And because we were already there, we decided to go ahead and check out the museum itself.

Transport canoe at the National Nordic Museum.
Transport canoe at the National Nordic Museum.
Bird made of glass.
Bird made of glass.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
Exhibit at the National Nordic Museum.
View from upstairs of the National Nordic Museum.
View from upstairs of the National Nordic Museum.

And also because we were already there, we decided to check out the Ballard Locks (or, under its formal name - the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Hiram M. Chittenden Locks).

Bridge lifted above the canal.
Bridge lifted above the canal.
Ballard Locks.
Ballard Locks.
Ballard Locks.
Ballard Locks.
Close-up of a bridge lifted above the canal.
Close-up of a bridge lifted above the canal.
Close-up of the gate at the Ballard Locks.
Close-up of the gate at the Ballard Locks.
A boat passing through the Ballard Locks.
A boat passing through the Ballard Locks.
A seal swimming in the water near the Ballard Locks.
A seal swimming in the water near the Ballard Locks.
A boat waiting to pass through the Ballard Locks.
A boat waiting to pass through the Ballard Locks.
A panel explaining the Indian Fishing Rights near the Ballard Locks.
A panel explaining the Indian Fishing Rights near the Ballard Locks.
Watching salmon at the fish ladder.
Watching salmon at the fish ladder.
Fish ladder at the Ballard Locks.
Fish ladder at the Ballard Locks.
Fish ladder at the Ballard Locks.
Fish ladder at the Ballard Locks.
A seagull enjoying the breeze.
A seagull enjoying the breeze.
A blue heron hanging out near the Ballard Locks.
A blue heron hanging out near the Ballard Locks.
A seagull trying to stay warm.
A seagull trying to stay warm.
The US Army Corps of Engineers sign near in the park near the Ballard Locks.
The US Army Corps of Engineers sign near in the park near the Ballard Locks.

Pia the Peacekeeper #

For our fourth day, we decided to embark on an island journey. To Bainbridge Island, to be specific, to go and find Pia the Peacekeeper (Bainbridge Island Parks also has a page about her).

While on the ferry there, I took the liberty of snapping a few pictures of Seattle and Mt. Rainier (also known as Tahoma).

Mt. Rainier peeking through.
Mt. Rainier peeking through.
Kitsap ferry returning to Seattle.
Kitsap ferry returning to Seattle.
Mt. Rainier keeping a watchful eye over Port of Seattle.
Mt. Rainier keeping a watchful eye over Port of Seattle.
Looking towards West Seattle.
Looking towards West Seattle.
Seattle skyline, as seen from a ferry to Bainbridge Island.
Seattle skyline, as seen from a ferry to Bainbridge Island.
Mt. Baker making an appearance on a nice, sunny day.
Mt. Baker making an appearance on a nice, sunny day.

Once we landed on Bainbridge Island, it was a short drive to a local park, where we were delighted to find the troll we were looking for just a few steps from the entry trail.

Pia the Peacekeeper on Bainbridge Island.
Pia the Peacekeeper on Bainbridge Island.
Pia the Peacekeeper description plate.
Pia the Peacekeeper description plate.
Pia the Peacekeeper marker on a rock near the troll.
Pia the Peacekeeper marker on a rock near the troll.
Pia's decorations in a nearby tree.
Pia’s decorations in a nearby tree.
Pia the Peacekeeper surrounded by a green tree canopy.
Pia the Peacekeeper surrounded by a green tree canopy.
A close-up of Pia the Peacekeeper.
A close-up of Pia the Peacekeeper.
Profile view of Pia the Peacekeeper.
Profile view of Pia the Peacekeeper.
Familiar birdhouses telling us that we've arrived at our destination.
Familiar birdhouses telling us that we’ve arrived at our destination.
Familiar birdhouses telling us that we've arrived at our destination.
Familiar birdhouses telling us that we’ve arrived at our destination.

On the way back home, I was snapping some pictures of the (iconic to the area) ferries and landscapes, both urban and not.

The Spokane ferry, docked at Bainbridge Island.
The Spokane ferry, docked at Bainbridge Island.
The Spokane ferry, docked at Bainbridge Island.
The Spokane ferry, docked at Bainbridge Island.
A jellyfish swimming around the ferry.
A jellyfish swimming around the ferry.
Mt. Rainier peeking through the trees at Bainbridge Island.
Mt. Rainier peeking through the trees at Bainbridge Island.
Seattle skyline, as seen from Bainbridge Island.
Seattle skyline, as seen from Bainbridge Island.
A car carrier, docked off the coast of Bainbridge Island.
A car carrier, docked off the coast of Bainbridge Island.
Ferry leaving Seattle.
Ferry leaving Seattle.
Columbia Tower, as seen from a ferry.
Columbia Tower, as seen from a ferry.

Oscar the Bird King #

Last but not least, we embarked on a mission to find Oscar the Bird King. For this troll friend of ours, we would need to trek all the way to Vashon Island (take another ferry, that is).

Our ferry to Vashon Island arriving to Seattle.
Our ferry to Vashon Island arriving to Seattle.
Bruun Idun, another troll, is right around that turn.
Bruun Idun, another troll, is right around that turn.
A close-up of the Kitsap ferry operator.
A close-up of the Kitsap ferry operator.
Our spot - right at the ferry entrance!
Our spot - right at the ferry entrance!

To get to the troll on Vashon Island we needed to drive quite a bit, but that drive is also doable on a bicycle if the day is nice. When we got there, we were greeted by some local residents!

Local wildlife enjoying the peace and quiet away from the city.
Local wildlife enjoying the peace and quiet away from the city.
Local wildlife enjoying the peace and quiet away from the city.
Local wildlife enjoying the peace and quiet away from the city.
Birdhouses at the entrance to the Point Robinson Park on Vashon Island.
Birdhouses at the entrance to the Point Robinson Park on Vashon Island.
Birdhouses at the entrance to the Point Robinson Park on Vashon Island.
Birdhouses at the entrance to the Point Robinson Park on Vashon Island.
A very clear sign telling us where to go.
A very clear sign telling us where to go.
Oscar the Bird King.
Oscar the Bird King.
Oscar the Bird King pointing at me while I tried to take a photo of him.
Oscar the Bird King pointing at me while I tried to take a photo of him.
Profile view of Oscar the Bird King.
Profile view of Oscar the Bird King.
Oscar's custom birdhouses for his friends.
Oscar’s custom birdhouses for his friends.
Oscar's custom birdhouses for his friends.
Oscar’s custom birdhouses for his friends.
Oscar's custom birdhouses for his friends.
Oscar’s custom birdhouses for his friends.
Oscar the Bird King description plate near the troll.
Oscar the Bird King description plate near the troll.
Another art installation near Oscar.
Another art installation near Oscar.
We were looking for Great Horner Owls but haven't seen one, unfortunately.
We were looking for Great Horner Owls but haven’t seen one, unfortunately.
An old, overgrown table at the park.
An old, overgrown table at the park.
Didn't see any cougars on our walk either (probably for the better).
Didn’t see any cougars on our walk either (probably for the better).
A trail around Oscar the Bird King.
A trail around Oscar the Bird King.
A peek at Puget Sound across the trees from the Point Robinson Park.
A peek at Puget Sound across the trees from the Point Robinson Park.
A sign for a Great Blue Heron near the Vashon Island coast.
A sign for a Great Blue Heron near the Vashon Island coast.
Point Robinson lighthouse.
Point Robinson lighthouse.
There is all sorts of marine wildlife that lives in the Puget Sound and around it.
There is all sorts of marine wildlife that lives in the Puget Sound and around it.
A sign letting us know that we might see river otters in the area.
A sign letting us know that we might see river otters in the area.
Vashon Island coastline.
Vashon Island coastline.
A ferry docking at Vashon Island.
A ferry docking at Vashon Island.

Wrapping up #

This was, hands down, one of the most fun activities we’ve done last year - it required us to travel across the region, see new hidden gems, try foods at hole-in-the-wall places near the trolls, and overall spend more time outdoors. We still have to go and see the troll in Portland, and maybe even others across the country and outside it.

Thomas Dambo, the artist behind these massive creatures, also has a few books that I highly recommend, that walk you through his process of designing and building the trolls (along with some stories to go with it).

Books about trolls, by Thomas Dambo.
Books about trolls, by Thomas Dambo.

Or, if you prefer to watch videos instead, he has a YouTube channel about the same topic!

Given that this is the internet, I need to mention this. I retain copyright on all these photos. Their use anywhere, whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes, is prohibited without my written consent.

↑