Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

We headed out on our fall road trip by taking the Coho Ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles. The mountains were hazy from smoke due to recent wildfires. 

The following morning, it was foggy heading into Tacoma and looked like we were on a bridge to nowhere as we crossed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. 

Our first main stop was the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. It's surprising we've never discovered this one before! It was really good and I hope we have time to stop again on our way back. In addition to the zoo and aquarium, there's also botanical gardens and lots of trails that we didn't get to. 

There's quite a large exhibit about the wolves that were near extinction and how the
zoo breeding program helped bring them back. 

Cute frog out on the flowers!

See the worm? It's lunch time.

Sleepy otter

HUGE flower! Hand for size reference.

Momma and Baby Seal

Last August, after we first took possession of our new home in Victoria, we often saw a mother seal and baby on the little island just in front of our place. 

Momma (presumably the same one) is back again this year with another baby but we've only seen them about three times. Too bad, as they are very cute! 

Photo taken by Andrew as he gets much better shots than I do. 

Butchart Gardens in the Late Summer

Last week, Andrew, Penny, Clare and I headed out to Butchart Gardens and, once again, it certainly didn't disappoint! Dahlias (and bees) were the main attraction but there was so much colour everywhere! 

It's been so different each time we've gone and it makes me realize what a massive undertaking it must be to change displays and keep everything looking so beautiful all the time. They really do a wonderful job of it! 

 

Springtime at Butchart Gardens

I've been to Butchart Gardens a few times but never "in season." Now that we live here and have an annual passes, we hope to make more frequent visits. While it's beautiful in the off season, springtime at the gardens is absolutely gorgeous! 

The tulips were particularly plentiful. 

In the Japanese Gardens

The McKinlay's like their sweets just as much as the Ballard's. We couldn't resist the gelato.
Interestingly, we each chose a different kind.

Mini Vacay in Sidney By The Sea

Andrew and I always love aquariums and we keep talking about wanting to get back to the one in Sidney, also known as the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. It's only a 30 minute drive away but as we settle into day-to-day life in Victoria, we just never made time for it until Andrew suggested a mini vacation. 

Heading out in the morning, we arrived just in time for opening (to hopefully avoid any crowds), bought an annual membership and spent a good hour+ at this small, interesting place. The employee manning the touch pool made it really fascinating. His enthusiastic, "There's so much activity!" was refreshing. At a glance, there's absolutely nothing moving but since he'd been there that morning, a few of the creatures had moved a whole inch! We watched close and could see grains of sand being shifted by the movement.  

We also did several walks along the waterfront park. Lots of birds, beautiful flowers, and interesting artwork. 

We had a delicious wine flight tasting and cheese plate (and tiramisu) at The Farmer's Daughter for supper. 

We stayed overnight at the small but very nice Sidney Waterfront Inn, had another nice walk after breakfast and then Andrew headed off for his run back home (~30 km) along the Lochside Trail. I did the first 1.5 km with him along the waterfront and made it back to Victoria in time for my gym workout.