Wordless Wednesday

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Ducks

Sometimes on Friday nights we take a car picnic and go down to the Alaska Ferry Terminal to watch the Alaska Ferry depart. I grew up in Alaska and they started the ferry system during my senior year of high school. We traveled to music festivals and basketball games on the ferries. It was great fun - we laughed - we flirted with the other teams - we gabbed and we sometimes even slept a little bit.

At the dock . . .

After Don and I were married (in Texas) we decided to move back to Alaska and we took the ferry home.

There they go . . .

Now we sit and watch the ferry as it departs - listen to the whistle blow and echo off the hills of Bellingham. That is one of my favorite sounds - I could listen to it forever. We haven't been back to Alaska in over 40 years, but these trips to the ferry make us want to go - and we shall - someday.

Down the channel and to Alaska . . .

This past Friday we were treated to a display of ducks in the bay.

Here they come . . .

There they go . . .

All in a line . . .

Barrow's Golden Eye ducks - such cute small ducks - and they swam right in front of where we were parked. I got out of the car and stood in the chilly wind to get some good pictures.

I'm glad I did. The little flock swam back and forth in front of us and under the small dock nearby, several times, so I had lots of chances for good pictures.

This little guy was very vocal . . .

Good bye . . .

See you later . . . alligator - oh nooooo - hope there are no alligators in this bay . . .

There was one lone Western Grebe fishing . . .

And this lovely fellow lit right by our car . . .

So - where's my food ?

I said - where's my food???

I'll tell my brother you didn't give me any of your sandwich!

And he'll tell the king over there on the pilings.

Outdoor Wednesday

I love Outdoor Wednesday - stop over at A Southern Daydreamer to see more wonderful outdoor posts.

The mountains behind Birch Bay

Our outdoor day was spent at Birch Bay State Park - a chilly, but sunny day. The colors were amazing and there were huge rafts of migrating water fowl, as well as the local resident seagulls.

This fabulous piece of driftwood was sitting upright - as if it had grown there. We wondered about the force of the waves to bring this piece to the shore - and then to set it upright.

Do you see the face of the old man of the sea - oh the adventures he's had.

The seagulls were flocking along the beach - muttering to each other . . .

And flying up when a dog would get too close - or a little kid
would come running down to investigate. . .

There were two unusual ducks swimming with the seagulls - I must get out the bird book and figure out what they are. Click to enlarge and see the ducks on the left side of the photo.

And some lovely mallards swimming nearby . . .

Farther out we could see many rafts of ducks - we could hear them too. I took pictures, not knowing just what I would get, as the display on the camera didn't show up very well in the sunlight - I think I got pretty lucky.

At one point we heard a loud noise and looked up to see the ducks circling around and jabbering to beat the band. They settled back down pretty fast and continued doing duck things.

The views were magnificent . . .


No matter which way we looked . . .

The winter storms had left a lot of great driftwood . . .

This little guy was enjoying climbing this piece with his little brother - who you can barely see, behind the center of the driftwood. Just after this photo was snapped the boy on the right swung around on the end of that piece that sticks out to the right - twisted about and fell onto the rocks on the beach. Nothing was hurt but a little pride - and maybe his sit-down.

I hope you enjoyed our trip to the park - I know we sure did - and giant chocolate ice cream cones just added to the fun.

Wordless Wednesday

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Outdoor Wednesday -Crows and Ravens

This is my first Outdoor Wednesday - I thought it would be fun with my new blog. Be sure and visit A Southern Dreamer to find more links to Outdoor Wednesday.

We have a lot of crows in this area - and they are particularly active this time of year. Over the years I've gotten some fun photos of them. They are shy so I have to be quick - yet stealthy with my camera.

Taken out the front window - a big bird for a small birdbath - do you think the water is warm enough?

I'll give it a try . . .

Yeah - that feels good . . .

Just look how pretty I am . . .

Say - do yo mind if I have a drink? It is bathwater you silly goose - oh - silly crow!

So - have you heard the lastest?

This raven sculpture is in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada - along with many other local artist sculptures along a river walk.

Taken while camping at Silver Lake County Park - from the porch of our cabin.

Cabin #7 - they really should give those cabins some outdoorsy names,
don't you think?

These bigger than life Ravens are at the Mt. Baker Ski Area parking lot.

This crow found something tasty to eat - just outside our car window, we were parked by the Alaska Ferry dock in Bellingham.

Sitting on the sign by Tennant Lake , a lovely spot to watch birds or view, and smell the Frangrance Garden.

I even like Crow quilts - someday I'll make this quilt.
I'm in the fabric collecting phase right now.

Our grandson Ben giving instructions to a crow at the playground. I think the crow likes Ben's fuzzy blue hat - don't you?

King of the hill - take that you ol' seagull . . .

Two ravens on the front of our house - sure makes it easier to find which one is our house . . .

Hope you enjoyed the crows and ravens.