A Trip to Lummi Island

Every summer we try and take a couple little ferry trips over to Lummi Island - which is about a 45 minute drive from Bellingham.  We only got one trip in this summer, but it was a glorious one.

 We saw this Great Blue Heron fishing in a slough

 And a  cormorant enjoying the lovely day on some pilings.

 We like to have lunch on the porch of the little yellow cafe and while we ate this Great Blue Heron landed in the top of the nearby trees.  Posed between two power lines, it was hard to get a picture of all of it without the wires interfering too much.

Given a slight chance, most anything will grow in Northwest Washington State. This Ash Tree sprouted atop a fence post.

 On the drive around the island there were beautiful flowers blooming - our trip was in August and on a gorgeous day.  This Hummingbird Vine was it its full glory!

 And Mt. Baker was our magnificent view from the cafe porch.  Boats passing and enjoying a day on the water.

 Back on the mainland, on Lummi Peninsula, there is a fabulous view of Bellingham with Mt. Baker in the background.  They have the best view of the mountain there I think

 Mt Baker and the Sisters in one shot - always a favorite!!

 And Bellingham spread out beneath the mountains.

 There is a Reef Fishing fleet on the back of the island.  The Department of Fish and Wildlife explains Reef Fishing, as done by the Indigenous Lummi Nation.

"Reef nets do not gill or surround salmon with a net. Rather they count on natural and man made structures to lead the salmon into a shallow laid net which is then lifted and the fish spilled into holding pens.

Minimal handling and stress coupled with the ability to keep the fish alive make reef nets the most selective fishing gear available. Reef nets are fixed to one location and only catch migrating adult salmon that swim through their gear"

 Men stand atop the tall towers and give instructions to those in the lower area as to when the nets are ready to be pulled up.

 The sight of the long line of Reef Fishers is striking on a sunny day.

And on the trip back to the mainland on the ferry we spotted this Whale Watching boat - with no passengers, coming in to the dock.  The words on the side say that they guarantee that you will see whales on your trip.

Saturday's Critters

There's Nothing Like A New House

No - NOT my house - and not really new.  But it is a favorite.  We discovered it a couple years ago in the Columbia neighborhood - it was built in 1895 and was in terrible condition.  Someone was living there, but nothing has been done to the house almost since it was built.

 The roof seems to be in good condition - and today we noticed that the house is receiving a make-over.  Hurrah!!!!  I'm so happy for the old house.  I have been concerned that it would be torn down and replaced with modern apartments.  

  Before - painted in blues - and after - painted a light tan with black trim - she really sparkles now

This old candelabra was just hanging on the side porch - no candles in it when we last saw it - and it has been removed now.

 It was a pretty piece  with spring flowers blooming nearby - no before and after - just wanted to show it in its setting

 The porch had deteriorated so badly that it couldn't be used anymore - you can see how warped the floor of the porch was, under the wicker chair

 And now, on the right - the floor is flat and usable once again.  You can also see the contrast of the old fence on the left - and its new coat of paint on the right

 Raggedy old steps - unsafe and siding falling off

 Two pretty spring photos from earlier this year - the photo on the right is a little cottage next door, which I think belongs to the big house

 A window - old on the left - repaired on the right

 The side yard has been cleared out - there was the old archway leading to the house - falling down and broken

 So much more inviting on the right side

The turret was in sad shape - peeling paint and rotting boards - but that has all been redone - looks fresh and new

Spring and Autumn - what a difference.  My heart is happy for the old house.

Mosaic Monday

Tuesday's Treasures

The Barn Collective

No special theme today - just more barns in our area - there seems to be an unending supply of them, no matter where we go on our rides.

  

And another view of one of my favorites - in front of the Sisters - during the summer the snow almost completely melts on the Sisters now.  When we first moved here the snow lasted all summer, but not anymore.

The Barn Collective

And That Was September

September was a great month - lots of sunny skies and warm weather - the warm weather lasted longer than usual and we enjoyed every minute of it.

 A farm in front of Mt. Baker - one of my favorites views

 A Great Blue Heron on a sunny day - with lots of waves rolling into Birch Bay State Park.

 Painting, remembering summer

 Great Blue Herons abound

 A few days were filled with smoke from forest fires and wild fires across the Northwest - beautiful sun photos - but hard on the lungs.  We all breathed easier when the smoke cleared.

One of my favorite Great Blue Heron photos - at least I didn't cut its head off as it took flight.

How was your September?

Tuesday's Treasures