Kayak to Post Point on 5/3

Went out for a glorious kayak yesterday afternoon. Sunny and hot, afternoon, no wind, 6pm lots of sun still in the sky. Here are some pictures:

Looking south toward the Olympic mountains and Olympic National Park, San Juan Islands to the right

Ditto.

Carolina (my boat's name) facing southwest at Orcas Island(?) One of the San Juans, in any case!

Post Point on the left, railroad track too :(

 Mt. Baker peeping up over South Hill.

The Alaska Ferry leaves at 6:10pm on Fridays. I got to paddle in front of it before it left and then watch it head south to get out of the islands. In the background are the major players of the British Colombia Coast Range

American Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) on the rock in the foreground... kinda blends in with rock crevices in the background. See its orange eye, electric neon orange beak and dainty pink legs. I also saw lots of gulls (Glaucous-winged, Western?), a Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), some Harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus), a Harbor Seal, and an interesting-looking, dark-headed gull... maybe a Bonaparte's Gull (Larus philadelphia). I also heard and saw the Caspian Terns (Sterna caspia) which are back for the summer breeding extravaganza!

Incredible weather, great paddle. So thankful... and for Michelle who helped me put my boat away and then drove me home!

from 4/16, Tuesday- Kayaking to Post Point

Got into the boat again on this sunny morning. Met up with Mike, who works at the boating center, whose partner is one my colleagues, and who came, with his partner Kelley, over to our apartment that same night for dinner. We paddled around the corner, past the US Coast Guard, past the ferry terminal and to Marine Park. We took a short break and went a little bit further south down the coast to Post Point. We came across six or so pairs of Harlequin ducks and promptly scared them. Sorry duckies!

It was lovely and sunny, and as we paddled back an hour later, the wind picked up and the storm began its approach. Indeed we had perfect timing and I rode my bike home looking over my shoulder to see the white-caps on the water....

Mike was sharing tips about successful kayaking technique. He showed me the body mechanics to consider and things to avoid so as to protect myself and my gear. It was just a nice way to get outside again.