A Day In The Life in The Puget Sound

With summer upon us (finally!) the San Juan Islands offer beautiful sights at every turn- albeit stunning wildlife or scenic vistas captured in the early morning, interlaced with misty fog coming in off the Haro Straits. Bailer Hill Road is one of two main travel routes connecting the south and north sides of San Juan Island.  A ride along the road from Friday Harbor in the early can often offer breathtaking views of the farms shrouded in fog highlighted by sun rays.

Traveling a bit further south on Cattle Point Road will take you to South Beach, just past American Camp- the history of which was covered in an earlier blog entry. South Beach is a pebbly stretch of (guessing here) about 2 miles or so- with public access to to driftwood strewn beaches leading towards Cattle Point Lighthouse.  Alive in the morning light, it is easy to find eagles and fox cavorting in the dewy grasses before the heat begins.

If you return along False Bay Road, you can find some enchanting views as well- young deer are often viewed here as well as great heron encounters at False Bay during low tide.  Be sure to check the  NOAA  Tide Tables before the venture- it is well worth the time.

If you find yourself traveling to the islands by boat, there is no lack in scenic locations in the San Juan Islands with fantastic seascape vantages. Yesterday, we visited Stuart Island to photograph the Turn Point Lighthouse. During the trip, we captured this juxtaposition- a beautiful sailboat with snow covered Mount Baker in the background. While the temps reached 85 degrees yesterday, it was a stunning sight to still see the snow caps just beyong the fluid waters.  Stuart Island's Turn Point Lighthouse is also pictured below.

Photographs tend to take themselves here- your skill level need not be professional, rest assured.  I can certainly attest!!  Summer is here and the Islands are alive- and there are many more months of opportunity awaiting! 

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J Pod in The San Juan Islands!

Southern Resident Community Update!

Today we spent the entire day watching J pod cavort on the west side of San Juan Island. Sometimes far from shore and sometimes so near you could touch them- here's a shot from Lime Kiln lighthouse (a perfect example of having the wrong zoom lens on during a close pass to shore)!!!

The pass began approximately 9:00am with the whales headed close to shore from Pile Point towards Hannah Heights. Once they approached the Heights, we were able to see that the leaders were Slick and her family! That being said --within minutes they turned and headed south!!! Later in the day, we were able to watch them pass Lime Kiln, frolicking and providing us with alot of shore based whale watching opportunities!

Orca Whales Postcard
by

sandybuckley

And the day ended down at the beach watching the graceful antics of local harlequin ducks...can you say...LIFE IS GOOD? Well, it certainly is!

Harlequin Duck Notecards
by

sandybuckley

Get this custom card
at Zazzle

The Eagles Have Landed

April 9, 2008- Well, we all know that wildlife watching is fantastic in the islands- and that has certainly rung true the past few months. Every day is a treat to watch all the juveniles bicker and play while watchful parents keep an eye on the waters for fish. We're also seeing lots of pairs of herons in local fields- of course, I never have my camera when I need it! But here are a couple of eagle shots:

Bald Eagle Stampsbysandybuckley
Get this custom stamp at Zazzle

Under Seigebysandybuckley
Get this custom postcard at Zazzle

This second shot took place only this week. A golden eagle has begun visiting the west side and frequenting an area where adult bald eagles habitually sit. I actually watched this play out- the golden went over to one of the fir trees and grabbed pine cones. What you are seeing in the picture is the golden eagle pelting the bald eagle in attempts to get the bald one to move from his/her perch. Go figure.

Friday Harbor is really a beautifully rich world unlike any place I have ever been!! That's all for now, take care- Sandy Buckley

Dining Opportunities Have Become More Interesting this Month!

With the onset of spring in the Islands comes many enhancements to dining opportunities! Lots of Island favorites start reopening and this year is no different! Locals rejoice in the enriched menu selections- since lots of options diminish over the winter months. Some happening restaurants we've all waited for and who have reopened this month include...

DUCK SOUP INN

http://www.ducksoupinn.com/

Gretchen's wonderfully sophisticated Inn reopened on the 4th- we're planning on sampling the seasonal offerings this weekend so expect a review! :) One of our favorite places on San Juan Island for somewhat upscale romantic dinners!

COHO RESTAURANT

http://www.cohorestaurant.com

Well, this isnt a reopening ---it's an opening! Dave Pass and Anna Maria de Freitas are venturing into the restaurant business later this month with an introduction of Coho, featuring pacific northwest fare. We've known these two since 2003- when we all used to live in Maryland- and can vouch for lots of memorable feasts at their table. This menu will be fantastic!!

Spring in the San Juan Islands

April 5, 2008- This just in! This week I think we can all officially agree that another Island winter has been put to rest with the bold appearance of spring harbingers. How can I be so sure? Read on...

It was no joking matter when I looked out my front windows April 1rst and immediately did a double take. Were those actually fins in the water? (Our house looks out over the Haro Straits on the west side of San Juan Island). The water was calm as glass and the sun was just beginning to add some warmth to the day. I head out onto the deck and am greeted with one of the most joyous sounds one will ever hear- the exhalation of an orca whale about 100 yards off the shoreline. So it was a fin! But wait, there were more- 4 beautiful whales resting right before my eyes.

In the islands, we have transient killer whales who tend to frequent the waters as well as resident orcas. While both are orca whales, that's about where the similarities end. Orca Network has a great article which you can read herehttp://www.orcanetwork.org/nathist/transients.html or you may want to check out the local experts over at the Center for Whale Research here: http://www.whaleresearch.com/

So at this point, I have no idea if I am watching transients or residents- although I wasn't seeing any seals in the area and these guys were hanging out milling for approx 20 minutes. Upon closer inspection, sure enough- it turns out to be Slick (j-16) and here family- which meant that J pod had returned to the island! (Closer inspection required pulling up my handy whale ID guide and closely reviewing the shapes of the fins and variations of the saddle patches- the guide is also available at the Center. Well, that started off the day well! for the next three hours J Pod headed very slowly north on the west side- not too close to shore but they were back!!

Finally taking a break from watching the whales, I suddenly notice a strange and yet vaguely familiar buzzing in my ears- and as I walk out further on my deck I am suddenly strafed by a passing hummingbird!!! Sign number two! (By the end of the day we had hummingbird wars going on at the feeders...smiles!) Yes, I made up the requisite batch of food and the saying "build it and they will come" certainly rang true that day!

Later this same week we would see our first yellow finches and even more inspiring, see the beautiful swallows return to the west side! Spring has Sprung! And as of today, J pod is still in the area, with all present and accounted for (with the exception of J43- who the Center has not been able to find yet...fingers crossed!) Check out the local views of Friday Harbor here!

That's all for now!