Surprise in the Garden - Day 231

Harvesting goodies from the garden is not without surprises. We thought this guy was pretty cute.

August 18

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Whale Watching - Day 229

We spent a beautiful day on the Mystic Sea with our primary purpose of seeing Orcas (Killer Whales). We learned shortly after heading out that the previous evening all 3 of the resident Orca pods had headed up a local river. In the morning one pod had headed out and to the west. The whereabouts of the rest was unknown and would remain so for the rest of the day. But that was OK because we had 3 big highlights. Stick around and find out what they were - and to see what the grand finale was. Here we go.

Leaving Anacortes, Washington, we were boating amongst kayakers, gigantic ships and everything in between.

Our first highlight of the day occurred while viewing some harbor seals sunning themselves on some rocks. We occassionally spot harbor seals on our local beach and have witnessed a couple of baby harbor seals being "parked" while Mom was off feeding. However, I don't think we will ever see a baby harbor seal nursing on it's mother again!

We saw quite a few bald eagles over the course of the day...

...and plenty of kayakers.

 

Our second highlight of the day occurred when the presence of minke whales were reported. They were busy feeding so we didn't get a huge show. Since I've never seen a minke whale before it was exciting to see them everytime one surfaced.

These guys just cracked me up.

 

 

 

Highlight number three was a visit to the rocks where the stellar sea lions hang out. I have never seen one before! There were a couple of interesting things we learned about these 2,000+ pound creatures.

 

They have a common ancestor with the grizzly bear! Apparently, way back when, one went to the sea and one stayed on land. If you lay a stellar sea lion skull next to a grizzly bear skull, apparently they look exactly the same.

 

I've known for years that our 3 resident orca pods are peaceful salmon eaters. I didn't realize that our transient oracas, who don't belong to a pod (or family group) will eat almost whatever they can get their jaws on, including a 2000+ pound stellar sea lion!

 

 

The fellow on the left took great offense to our presence. Several of us thought he was going to come out to the boat and tell us to get lost!

 

 



 

Most of them were to content on this warm, sunny afternoon to care about our presence.

 

 

 Next up were more harbor seals. They perked up and posed for us.

 

 

 

I've been to the San Juan Island many times but always on the ferry which sticks to its route. Today we went off the beaten track and cruised by Donald Trump's island and Paul Allen's island (Microsoft). We didn't see anyone but it sure made me want my very own island!

 

Over the course of the day, we were playing tag with the ferry Elwha. Eventually we came upon this scene. The grand finale of a perfect day on the water. In case you're wondering, that's Mt. Baker in the background.

 

 

Thanks for joining me. I hope you enjoyed our cruise of the San Juan Islands of Washington State.

August 17
Oops, this is day 230

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

The Fair - Day 229

It's county fair time of year. After an absence of a couple of decades from the Island County Fair, which was a huge part of my life growing up, we returned for a visit.

Stick around to the end. I saved the best picture for last!

 

The animal exhibits are our favorites. This year the Alpacas caught our attention. They are so cute.

 

 

We ate fair food.

 

 

In the antiques barn, Husband spotted a tractor that is exactly like the one his grandfather had on his farm.

I had to laugh when I saw the old phone booth that used to be on the highway running up the island. I've made a call or two from here!

Back to the beach for a nap, fishing and dinner.

 

 

It's always exciting to catch a salmon, even if it's too small to keep!

 

 

A beautiful sunset. The person standing up, paddling on the board is far braver than I. That water is cold! You do not want to fall in!

 

Told ya it would be worth sticking around til the end!

 

August 16

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Beautiful Day on the Water - Day 228

Taken at the Ivars on Lake Union under the I-5 bridge. Someone was enjoying their afternoon out on the water!

No, Oldest Daughter, I do not, and never will have enough ferry pictures. Taken in Mukilteo while waiting in line and enjoying an ice cream cone from Ivars.

August 15

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Walk in the Fog - Day 227

August 14

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

The Ranch - Day 226

August 13

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Coupeville Visit & Gorgeous Sunset - Day 225

We visited one of our favorite towns, Coupeville, Washington. Enjoy some scenes of the town and stick around for an unusual sunset picture.

The iconic warf has a clipper ship moored on the backside. You can see the mast in the picture below.

There's two guys working on the sails.

Let's look closer. You'll never catch me up there!

I love the view of the farms across Penn Cove.

Later, a family member heads out to go fishing at sunset. I love this picture. The mountains look like a painting but the boat and water look like a picture. It really is a photograph!

Last, we have a guest photo from Husband. He caught one of the local ospreys fishing for dinner.

 

August 12

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Summer Harvest - Day 224

From the Goodrum's Whidbey garden or that of a neighbor. Gotta love this time of year!

August 11

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Sunset over Whidbey - Day 223

Perfect place to end the day!

August 10

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Shredding - Day 222

Been doing a lot of this lately.

August 9

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Lightning! Day 221

This is my first attempt at photographing lightning. Hopefully there will be other opportunities soon.

August 8

Copyright 2012 Michelle Goodrum

Camelback Mountain - Day 220

August 7

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Surviving the Heat - Day 219

Every evening, Husband waters our one flower pot with a plant that has been tough enough to survive the summer heat.
August 6

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Sunsets Over Phoenix - Days 216 - 218

Since it's monsoon season, we are getting interesting cloud formations which make for a different sunset every night.


August 3 - 5

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Puppies! - Day 215

Meet Holly's Half Dozen, a litter of budding service puppies. We love to check in on them everyday and see what activities they are up to.

August 1

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Bobcat with an Evening Meal - Day 214

This fellow or gal came sauntering by while I was taking sunset photos.

August 2

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Big Thunderstorm in Phoenix - Day 213

This storm caused an enormous amount of flooding and property damage in Phoenix and the northwest side of town.

July 31

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Olympics - Day 212

This is what consumes our evenings these days.

Juy 30

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Husband's New Car - Day 211

He's been letting me drive it. Isn't that nice of him?

July 29

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Storms Are Coming - Day 210

July 28

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Phoenix Sunset - Day 209

July 27

©2012 Michelle Goodrum