First stop - some ducks on a small pond.
American Widgeon
Bufflehead female
Ring Neck Duck - female
Ring Neck Duck - male
Greater Scaup - female
Widgeon and Bufflehead
Cedar Grove Pond - where we saw the ducks - you can see some in the distance. It was a great day for reflections too.
We drove on towards Anacortes - taking a side road along the shore - and found some seagulls harvesting mussels in the bay - this is near Fidalgo Bay Resort - where we stayed last summer on vacation.
This gull just dove in the shallow bay to find a mussel
Seagull taking off from the shore
Ducks in the same bay
Pintail Ducks - I could hear their little whistling - and there they were - swimming in a row
I think Pintails are some of my favorites.
We stopped at Island Cafe in Anacortes for lunch - one of our favorites - good food for sure.
This was Don's burger - I had a plain burger, we shared the fries - delicious
And the mountains - oh the mountains
Mt. Baker was out - and I never pass up a chance to get a picture.
Mt. Baker was out - and I never pass up a chance to get a picture.
Taken from the Anacortes boat harbor - a ring of clouds below the peak
It was time to head home - and as I looked to my left I could see Mt. Baker (taken from the freeway - between poles and trees as we zipped along, and no, I was not the one driving) - and far off to the right - what? Could it be? It was - Mt. Ranier.
And there is Mt. Ranier - taken from the moving car. Zoom at 140X
The map shows the driving distance between Bellingham and Mt Rainier - Mt Baker is just to the east (right) of Bellingham, in the edge of the green. As the crow flies - it is about 110 miles between the two mountains. The black arrow shows our location when I took the pictures of Mt. Ranier
Now we only see both mountains on days when the air is very clear - what an amazing treat. I had to take the pictures of Mt. Ranier from the moving car - window rolled down - cold air (34 degrees) blowing in the car. I got several shots that were blurry - several than had nice electric poles in the middle of the mountain. Finally a good shot - just as we came to a place where we could no longer see Mt. Ranier.
11 comments:
It all looks just so lovely.
Some lovely photos as always, you live in a beautiful area.
I just love the way our mountains, lakes, birds, all show off on a beautiful albeit cold sunny afternoon. I could see Mt. Rainier in all her glory and it was gorgeous. Enjoy your Sunday...;j
We get to see some of those same ducks as winter visitors. The Ring-necked Duck, Scaup, and American Wigeon usually get a lot of attention from birders when they arrive. The Eurasian Wigeon is quite similar and much more common., and Pintails are a dime a dozen. Even the most common visitor is so lovely reflected in the calm waters.
I have to admit, I can see Mt Fuji a million times and it still grabs my attention. Unfortunately, I am the driver in the family.
Lovely. I particularly like the ring neck female and that shimmery water, and the mountain with the snow! Majestic!
xo
Sheila
That is such a lovely drive,have done it a few times when visiting your area and, like you, I've managed to view both mountains on the same day - just awesome. I've only done it on Summer trips so have seen less snow of course on the summits - still beautiful though!
Ducks are always adorable - nice birds for the most part. Love the pic with a beakful of mussel - great shot JoAnn.
That was a very busy day - glad you're up for road trips, they are often still the best way to see the beauty surrounding us.
Hugs - Mary
Great photos of the ducks and the mountains. I love the Buffleheads and the Pintails and the shot of the gull with the mussel. Great that you got to see both mountains in one day.
The shimmering water is so pretty! Nothing like the majesty of a snow covered mountain!
I love the way wildlife just goes about its business of surviving, rarely bothering any of us. Yet some people sure make it their business to bother THEM! That's why I admire and respect you so much - you "take only pictures and leave only footprints" as the saying goes!
What a wonderful assortment of ducks and gorgeous reflections, too! And both mountains in a single day! We don't see Rainier from where I live, but have from the Kitsap Peninsula and from Marrowstone Island.
A cute bunch of quackers I must say. I have such fond memories of our 10th anniversary celebration at Rosario Resort many years ago. Such a beautiful area.
The place I am hoping we move to is in Abbotsford and both decks give spectacular views of Mt. Baker which I couldn't see the day I toured the townhouse due to cloudy skies.
I am amazed at the diversity of the waterfowl in your area. I only see mallards in my back yard. You truly live in one of the most amazing areas of the country. Your photographs of the mountains and the birds are beautiful. I have not had an opportunity to visit the Pacific North West of our beautiful nation, but I think that is going onto the bucket list for when I retire.
Post a Comment