Rowan

                                  Happy 9th Birthday Rowan

Hope Island Marine State Park

 

We took a little boat ride to Hope Island Marine State Park this morning.  The park is a short, scenic 20-minute ride from our cabin. It can only be reached by boat and is 106 acres with 8,500 feet of saltwater shoreline and 2 miles of hiking trails. There are several camping areas as well. These lazy seals escaped the slaughter by Orca last month and were sleeping on logs at Carlton Beach Marina, which is across from Hope Island and Steamboat Island.

Cat on my Hike

                                     Nadine, the hiking cat

Hiked the trail at Jarrell Cove State Park and ran into Nadine. She was off leash when I first saw her. I'm surprised she didn't bolt into the woods

The Harstine Island cougar has been spotted again at the South end of the island. Jarrell Cove is at the NW corner of the island. There are plenty of deer for it to eat however I still carry jingle bells to alert her to my presence should she be nearby.

Downhill Side of Summer

 The Orcas have headed North toward Everett and Whidbey Island.

The heat has subsided for a few days. 

I'll admit I like the misty cooler mornings as opposed to the bright sunlight crashing in from the East at 5:45AM.

Weather reports from our kitty feeder down South state that it is miserable with monsoons in the high desert, flash floods, daytime temperatures hovering around 106 and of course none of the rain reaches the valley. 

Not much else going on. Might take the boat out next week.

August Already

 We have been so fortunate to view a pod of Biggs Orca's swimming back and forth through Pickering Passage since July 4th. According to experts, the seal population in the South Sound has been culled. My observation is that seals are crabby, stinky and territorial. The Orcas are happy and well fed.  Katie and Rowan were able to view them Tuesday afternoon as they passed quite close to our shoreline. "Coolest thing I've ever seen" says Rowan.

Madison was here for the overnight visit as well and joined us for some Ladder Ball and some of Jack's "amazing chicken" (says Rowan). Perfect weather in mid 70's. We had a birthday cupcake and gifts to celebrate Rowan's 9th, which is on August 18.

The weather seems to be heating up again with temperatures in the upper 80's on Saturday. Mid 90's on Monday.

Amazing Shot

Orcas with the Mountain in the background. Not my picture but have to share.
 

Orca!

 Yesterday afternoon an Orca pod passed by headed south. We had a great view of them. Unfortunately, their arrival was preceded by multiple boats speeding over the water trying to position themselves for a view. I guess I can't blame them, it is an amazing sight and not everyone is fortunate enough to have a front row seat as we do. 

This morning around 7AM we spotted them again heading south down Pickering Passage and hugging Harstene Island.  We could see their blow and hear them as they passed under the bridge. No boats tagging them this time, just a lone paddleboarder who probably got some amazing pictures.  This pod has been identified as the Biggs transient group that eats seals. No coincidence that the seals have abandoned the floating dock. Not as dumb as they look.

Expecting another hot day in the upper 80's low 90's.