Seals, Their Babies, and other Harbour Sightings

For the third summer in a row, the tiny island (Colville Island) near our home has been visited by mother harbour seals and their babies. Just one the past couple years but two momma seals and babies this year. They are fun to watch! 

 

On one of the days Andrew and I were out taking photos, they came close enough to the main shore to take some video. So playful! 

Of course, there's always lots of other things to take photos of as well. ;-) 

We spotted this momma deer and her two babies when we dropped Penny off where she was house sitting in Oak Bay. 

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium - June 2023

On the way home from our latest road trip (June 2023), we stopped again at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma. Always at great stop! The tiger was very cooperative and, for once, didn't have glass or a chain link fence blocking the view. :-) 

Penguins always make me smile. Their movements and antics are so humorous! 

Kayaking - Sights and Sounds

I'm generally not too motivated to go out kayaking (and it's always Andrew who initiates it, plus goes out a lot on his own) but I'm always happy when I do! 

Our "paddling" is more along the lines of meandering and taking photos and we saw SO much today! It was awesome!

The folding kayaks make it so easy to get out. I really shouldn't have any excuses!

The Coho Ferry arriving. 

Bald eagle. We spotted the white head quite a distance away.

Andrew had seen a family of racoons as well as a baby deer on previous visits out here. Today we saw single racoons in two different places, the momma deer as well as two babies. 

At one point, we were stopped and just looking around, but in amongst some thick seaweed. Andrew could feel and hear something banging against his kayak. I looked over a it was a crab snapping it's claws at the back of his kayak. Andrew must have stopped right on top of him and he didn't like it! I didn't get my camera out in time but then saw this one a bit further on.

There were lots of Canada geese and other birds. We also came across a very curious seal who gave us a good look and actually rolled over and had his flippers in the air for a short time. Usually it's just their head poking out of the water. Again, by the time either of us got a camera out, he was gone!

And then when we got home, this baby rabbit was in the yard just outside our door. 

June 2022 Roadtrip (Astoria)

We always like visiting Astoria, Oregon, and the surrounding area so this was another short stop on our way home from Wyoming. The beaches are fun to stroll along and the Astoria-Megler bridge, which connects Oregon and Washington State, is spectacular. It's the longest continual truss bridge in North America. 

For the first time, we went to see the Astoria Column. The Column was built in 1925/26 and the intricate artwork on the outside depicts the chronological development of the area. 

We climbed the stairs to the observation deck at the top of the column and got fabulous views in all directions!

Mt. Rainier (I think)

Mt. St. Helens

Astoria-Megler Bridge

June 2022 Roadtrip (Mountains)

On the way home from Wyoming, we meandered back along the highway that parallels the Hood River which allowed for some great view of Mount Hood. 

We then left the main road in order to avoid the hustle and bustle of Portland and went through a national forest which led us to scenic views of Mt. St. Helens. 

Before heading back to Vancouver Island, we stopped for a couple days in the Olympic Mountains for a hike up Mt. Angeles via Switchback Trail. We didn't make it quite to the top due to hard packed snow and no crampons. 

Canada in the distance.

We think the highest peak is Mt. Olympus.

Steep, hard-packed snow (and no crampons) kept us from going any further than this.

A shy friend. :-)

Mt. Baker in the distance.

Waiting for the Coho Ferry in Port Angeles. Mt. Baker in the distance.