Trumpeter Swans On A Windy Day

I just can't pass up a chance to take pictures of the swans that overwinter here in the Skagit (sounds like gadget) and Whatcom counties.  Especially if they are in a green field.  Heading towards Birch Bay on the back roads we saw many flocks of them - this flock was close to the road.

Feathers ruffled by the wind - one is about to come out 

It's so windy 

Looking for food 

I told you it was going to be stormy 

You think? 

Hmmm? 

Synchronized eating

I'd Rather B Birdin' 

Camera Critters 

Zoom In Note Card Party

Our sunsets are spectacular - the colors amazing.  We sat on a bluff above the bay watching the sun go down.  The sunset was perfect for note cards too

February Note Card Party

Zoom In - Zoom Out

Lummi Island

As we were approaching the ferry loading area at the end of our day on Lummi Island - I spotted these ducks on a shallow beach

Barrow's Golden Eye Ducks

Three in a row - Common Golden Eye Females

Two Common Mergansers on the right

White Winged Shoveler

There were a lot of weeds growing along the beach - this is what I had to peek through to get the pictures of the ducks.


Saturday's Critters 

Red and White Winter Tea Party

It is cold, blustery, windy, rainy - all sorts of  winter weather -  but it is warm and cozy indoors - and I thought about a tea party - perfect on a blustery day.  How about white for winter - and red for cheery.

We'll start with a rose - my Valentine rose from Don

Add a red tablecloth with snowflakes - and lots of pretty white dishes 

The Valentine Rose on the cake stand with a round white teapot 

Cups of chamomile tea  

Help yourself to an oatmeal spice cookie - right next to the pretty shiny apples in the new heart shaped milk glass bowl - another Valentine gift from Don 

Pretty beaded napkin rings with vintage luncheon napkins 

  Bread and water can so easily be toast and tea 

Or we could use the tall white teapot - it looks just as pretty on the pedestal cake plate, with the rose 

Would you care for a piece of candy - a Valentine kiss? 

Tea is ready - please have a seat 

Drinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecary. ~Chinese Proverb

Cottage Style Party 

Thank you for coming to tea, do come again soon, we will have spring tea

Tea Time Tuesday 

Tea Cup Tuesday 

Friends Sharing Tea 

Lummi Island - Day of Eagles

Our trip to Lummi Island was filled with eagles.  We counted over 100 - though I couldn't get photos of all of them. It was fun seeing them up in the trees or flying overhead.

Right off we spotted this eagle up in a tree by the beach

Farther along - at the exact spot where I hurt my back  last summer - we spotted some eagles up in the trees - again - near the beach.  There are five of them - hint - three in the tree on the left, one in the third tree from the left and one in the last tree.

Closer of the three in the first tree

A Golden Eagle in the third tree.  You can tell the difference between a juvenile Bald Eagle and a Golden Eagle by the beak  -  the Golden Eagle has a blue beak.

One bald eagle flew off into another tree - just as the snow was starting to fall.

Two more eagles in bare trees

Bald Eagles - they have a nest nearby

And then on the way home I spied these eagles on a rock - down a bank.  But there was just enough room to pull off the road safely.

The female Bald Eagle is 35 to 37 inches, and is larger than the male.  Wingspan ranges from 72 to 90 inches

They can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet, and during level flight, reach about 30 to 35 mph.

They weigh from ten to fourteen pounds, and have very light bones, because they are hollow.  

They have about 7,000 feathers and live as long as 30 years.

It was a fabulous day - a ferry ride - eagles - strange things and a good time.

Nature Notes 
Wild Bird Wednesday 
Rurality Blog Hop