Cold Day on San Juan

The weather just seems to sway between spring and winter.  Today the clouds moved in, temperature dropped and the wind started to pick up.

Though it was cold it was a nice relaxing day.  I met up with my friend Monika to go check out the Red Tailed Hawks.  We watched then kite in the wind in search of food.  We never got to see them make a kill.  We started to wounder what there success ratio is.  The Olympic Mountains were beautiful today.  Clouds made a serpentine like impression around the mountains and the snow covered peaks stood proud.  With the dark sky there was almost a feel of purple to the clouds over the mountains.  Though we sat in the cold and the Red Tails were busy doing their thing, we had a great time.  

If you have time check out Monika's Blog http://orcawatcher.blogspot.com/.. She has a bunch of great photos to enjoy.

Here are couple of images I took.

It is best to click on the image to get a better view.  

The Olympic Mountains in all their glory.

Hope everyone is having a good night.

Spring is Back on San Juan Island

If you look at my pictures from yesterday you will see snow.  Today you will see blue sky and no snow.  Oh how fast the weather can change.

I ended up going out to check on the Red Tailed Hawks (RTH) and seeing what they were up to.  It was lots of fun I got to see the pair RTH1 and RTH2.  They were doing some pretty nice high soaring.  After awhile RTH2 went somewhere and RTH1 stayed back to provide nice entertainment.  RTH1 was gliding into vertical stall and flipping back over into a steep drop.  It was lots of fun.  Then RTH1 would dive steeply out of sight in to the trees.

Heading further down the Rufous morph was perched in a nice shrub and was I think is its mate was near by in a tree.  I have not had much time to view the pair.  The Rufous is pretty easy to id and today I was able to get good views of the possible mate.  It has a few white feather on the back of the head that really stick out.  This will help id it when it is perched.

Got a nice view of a fox just sitting in the sun. It seemed to no really care when I was there taking pictures.  The fox seem to get a lot of human handouts in that area and have lost any fear they had of humans.

I pretty much took it easy today and spent most of it outside looking at the wonderful hawks and enjoying the scenery.  

ANYWAY, here are few images.

As you can see today was much different than yesterday!

Rough day for the fox.  I mean laying around with no worries in the warm sun.  Thats got to be rough.

Here is the new RTH if you enlarge the image you can see the few white feather on the back of the head.  Image was taken through a scope, not the best quality.

Here is RTH1.  Image taken through the scope as well.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Winter Returns to San Juan Island

Last night the temperatures started to fall off and a bit of freezing drizzle had started.  By this morning there was a light blanket of snow covering the ground.  It was in the upper 20s when I woke and had plan on going for a run today.  So I sat around thinking about it and then decided it would be a great to be out in the snow for a run.

I got Guinness roused from his sleep and headed to the Finlayson Trail.  The drive out was as I expected, Beautiful!  I geared up in some warm running clothes and was ready to hit the trail.  At the trail head is was so nice.  The snow tends to make everything seem quiet.  It was cold but perfect for a run.  As I headed into the woods the trail was pretty clear.  The tree canopy had kept most of the snow at bay.  Ferns along side the trail had a faint covering of snow.  It was really nice. The back side of the trail I climb the hill to the open view of the Olympic Mountains, as I reached the clearing there was a Bald Eagle flying at eye level in search of food.  I took a moment to take a few pictures and decided it was best if I kept moving. On my return I saw one of the Red Tailed Hawks I have been watching over the past weeks.  It was perched in the top of a tree all puffed up trying to keep warm.  

All in all it was a great time on the trail.  The snow did not change the fact that I was running and breathing hard.  It simply added a nice decorative touch to the scenery.

This will be my only post for the day.  I do have some images to add.  But I have things to get done today.  Plus I have a birthday get together for a friend.  So I will not be getting back out to enjoy the spoils of nature.

ANYWAY, enjoy the photos and have a great day and evening.

This picture was taken a few nights ago.  But this is pretty much how I looked this morning.  Nice and cozy.  Hard to pull your self from the warm comforts of home to get out in the cold some times.

This was just a view off the side of the trail.

Here is the start of the trail.  Pretty nice!

You can see a nice little covering of snow.  Dark skies!

Cattle Point Lighthouse in the distance. My little digital camera was having a hard time metering with the snow.  Will have to get it out and work with it to see if I cannot improve the images.

Hope everyone enjoyed checking out the little bit of snow we got.  Any amount on the island really just adds another dimension of beauty.

Discovery Sea Kayaks

I just wanted to make a quick post for now to invite those of you who know or know of Discovery Sea Kayaks, to helps us out.

Currently there is a running for the best Eco Adventure Company in Washington.  We feel that we (Discovery Sea Kayaks)  hits the top of the list in quality and safety in sea kayak touring for Washington State.  Many of you who visit my blog have either been out on a tour, have taken lessons or are aware of the high quality standards Discovery Sea Kayaks adheres to.

So I ask those of you that feel that Discovery Sea Kayaks deserves to be recognized as the Best Eco Adventure in Washington State, to please proceed to the following link and cast your vote.

http://best.king5.com/discovery-sea-kayak/biz/168553

We work hard in developing exciting and new opportunities for people to connect with nature via kayak.  We promote kayak safety and education so that everyone can enjoy a safe experience. Please help us be rewarded for our determination and hard work.

Many thanks to all of you who come to my blog daily.  It means a lot to me to share my knowledge gained about kayaking and  my island life, kayak and travel experiences with everyone interested.  We all live diverse lives in this world and I simply offer a window to another view of someones journey.

Kayak Towing

There are many tow belts on the market and it is important to get one that you can work with. Some tow systems are mounted the the kayak and others are attached to the paddler.  All tow systems should have a quick release. Given the various styles, I can really only speak of one.  I have found it to be the easiest to use when I need it.  My choice is the North Water Sea Tec Tow Line.  It has been easy for me to use and when I daisy chain the tow line I can set it for various lengths.

So when is it time to use the tow belt.  Well being a sea kayak guide, you are asked all the time to provide assistance to tired paddles.  But this would be a bit of a misuse of an important rescue tool. It is not worn by guides to give clients free rides.  Plus over working your guide in a non rescue situation is not a good idea.  You want you guide to have plenty of strength I a real towing scenario were to develop.  Some examples of when to tow.

1. An injured paddler needs assistance getting back to shore.

2. An incapacitated paddler is being supported by another kayak and a tow is needed to get to a safe location.

3. A paddler is stuck in a dangerous situation such as crashing waves on a rock wall.  A rescuer paddler can assist them to safer waters with the use of a tow.

4. I have done this in the past.  When you are leading a group across a channel with swift currents and one of the kayaks in the group is getting sweep too far off course.  The tow can rejoin them with the group to set a new angle of attach to getting across the channel as one group.

So no where in the list did I list a paddler just being tired.  In most cases were a paddler is tired you can try to adjust the group pace to relieve the stain on the tired paddler.  Have good group dynamics and control as a leader is very important.

There are a few variations of towing you can use.  When setting up a tow with a tow system (belt) I always make sure to attach to the other kayaks bow deck lines.  The perimeter deck lines are attached in various places along the kayak.  If for some reason one of the mounts breaks you are still attached to the deck line and do not lose the paddler being towed.

First I will introduce the Contact Tow.  This is  a simple town that can be used for a short distance and quick setup.  The kayaker in need of a tow simply grabs hold of the the bow of the kayker providing the tow.  If the kayak in need of assistance is positioned so that they are face to face to the rescue kayaker.  Then communication is very easy between the two kayakers. This can be a good method if there are only two kayakers and one is sea sick.  The sea sick paddler can rest by leaning on the the rescue kayak and the rescue kayaker can move them to shore.

Second is the Straight Tow.  A rescue kayak is attached to the bow deck line of a paddler in need of assistance.  If there is only two of you the kayaker needing assistance must be capable for maintain balance to prevent capsize.  The length of the tow can be decided on a couple of factors.  I have found if it is going to be a long tow, then I like to have a nice long length of line out (around 30 ft).  If I am going to be doing a short distance quick tow I usually have about 15 ft of line for the tow.  The next factor to consider is your direction of travel in relation to the sea.  Are paddling into the waves or do you have a following sea.  With a following sea (waves approaching from the stern) then I suggest 30 ft of tow line.  Kayaking into the waves (wave approaching from the bow) then I go with about 15 ft.  Make sure you have good communication with the paddler being towed.  This means you may have to use a loud voice to project over wind and waves.

The third tow is the Rafted Tow.  This is used when there are more than two kayakers and the kayaker in need is not able to maintain balance to prevent capsize.  The set up is close to the Straight Tow except the tow line is passed through the bow deck line of the support kayak then attached to the kayaker in need of assistance.  The will bring the bow of the two kayaks being towed together making it easier for the rescue kayak.  The support kayak is to aid in balance and communication.  Sea sickness often causes paddlers to be off balance, therefore this is a great tow for that situation.

The last town I am going to mention is what I call the In Line Tow.  When you have a group of paddlers on the water and one of the kayakers finds themselves in need.  This can help increase the speed and distance you can cover.  The set up is the same as the Rafter Tow, except the kayak providing the tow now gets assistance.  This in done by a fourth kayaker attaching to the bow deck line on the kayak towing the raft.  This is set up like the Straight Tow.  Now you have two kayakers providing power to the raft.

There are other ways of setting up tows, but my focus here was to introduce kayakers to the main tows that I have used and found successful.  All these tows should be practiced with your paddler partners.  Towing can be very exhausting, so pace yourself if you are in for a long tow. Remeber a tow belt is a rescue tool.  Use it as it was intended and do not give out free rides.

Hope everyone was able to follow the diagrams I made.  Please leave comments if there are any questions.

ANYWAY,,, I hope everyone is having a wondeful night. 

 

Kayaking: Seals, Sea Lions and Bald Eagles

The plan was to go kayaking today with my roommate (Lyle).  The forecast was for increasing winds from the SE and rain.  We checked out the South end of the island and looked a like a bit more than Lyle has been out in before, so we headed to the NE part of the island.  When we arrived it was a definite difference from the S part of the Island.  It was a pretty chill paddle with light chop here and there, but overall really calm.  As we left the beach and headed towards the NE tip of San Juan Island with no real plans for the paddle.  We rounded the NE corner of the island where the is a nice Kelp Bed with good current rushing over the shallows.  I noticed something in the water but it was mainly submerged.  Getting a second look I could see it was a large Stellar Sea Lion about 20 yards away.  It was logging on the water just at the surface with its head submerged. I alerted Lyle there was a Stellar close by so that he did not paddle in its path.  Stellars are very large majestic animals.  They look like they could be the battle gate keepers in some mythic tale. Lyle was not really seeing the Stellar yet so I slapped the sides of my kayak so that the Stellar would be aware of us and Lyle would then see it.  So I proceeded to tap my kayak and a second, more large than the first, Stellar pops up.  This was a big guy and raised his upper half of his body to gain a better view and to show us how large he was.  The two Stellars then started to move in out direction.  Not really wanting to have an interaction with them we pushed around the corner to a nice shallow.  This way they could not sneak up on us.

After the excitemen, we continued now in a westerly direction along the N side of San Juan Island.  Bald Eagles seemed to be everywhere.  Some calling and circling above in an areial display with its mate.  Other perched high in the tree tops to have demading view of the area. Harbor Seals popped every few minutes to check us out and along the top of the water and disappear with no trace left at the surface.  We made it to the area near Pearl Island and stopped to snack on some fruit.  Then we simply turned back and retraced our route home.  

Getting closer to out take out we decided to play a bit.  I was having fun with some rolls and messing about with some sculling.  Lyle was playing with his sculling and I was pushing him to get wet.  He has not problem with it, but the water is really cold and the air temp is not that warm.  But soon he went for it and entered the cold green.  After a couple of attempts at this roll he decided to bale out and cowboy back in.  By this time we were both getting cold and ready for lunch.  We headed back to the beach and loaded gear and head to town.

We both feel really lucky to be able to just hop out of the house and within minutes of home be on the water.  Not just on the water, but with amazing views, wildlife abundant all around us and good friendship.  

Here are a few images from the paddle.

Heading North toward Spieden Channel. You can see Spieden Island in the distance.

Just another view of the above image.

Looking West down Spieden Channel.

Lyle with Orcas Island in the background.

Looking towards Pearl and San Juan Island.  You can see the heavy cloud cover moving in.

Looking West towards the Haro Strait and British Columbia.

The end of the day and a bit more shameless marketing for Discovery Sea Kayaks.  It is really a nice image, click on it for a better view.  

ANYWAY,, it was a great day on the water.  I really enjoy taking people out kayaking.  If you ever find yourself heading towards San Juan Island contact Discovery Sea Kayaks and lets get on the water together.  Let me share the waters I love with you.

WOW.  A friend was walking home and noticed this amazing rainbow.  She stopped in to let us know.  This picture was taken from in front of my house.

The Rain is Back

A super slow day today.  Got up and enjoyed a nice cup of coffee and then met with a friend and headed out to have a nice time before the rain moves in.  It was pretty chilly out and we basically just sat around with sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and just enjoyed being outside. Monika met up with us and spent some time doing some of the same with us.  Richard made his way by, it was becoming a nice little party.  Soon everyone went there own way.  Not really much to report other an life is good on San Juan Island and the rain is back in the forecast for the week. Think I might take off for a rainy day paddle tomorrow.

Hope very one is doing well and enjoying some of the images I post from time to time.  Please keep coming by.

A nice view of the Olympics Mountains today.

Another Beautiful San Juan Island Day

Today started with a meeting with Richard and then off to meet Liz.  She was coming out for a interview to be a guide with Discovery Sea Kayaks.  Started off with a nice tour of the island and then getting on the water for a short paddle.  During the paddle we talked over area of improvement and what might be needed to become a leader.  It was a very nice time on the water.

Later I headed out for sunset and it was a just what I needed to end my day.  Say good night to the yellow orb in the sky was very cleansing.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

A nice view up the shore of the west side.

A large group of River Otters can been seen here.  They were swimming all over the place.  Must have been about 8 of them total.

OH,,, here it is!

Almost gone.

Another great end to another wonderful day.

I hope everyone is finding time for the small moments in life, such as a sunset.  It can really do wonders for your mind.

Elephant Seal

There was an account of a Elephant Seal located on the shore of San Juan Island. Being conservative and not wanting to bother it.  I took a side route to the area that would give me a birds eye view.  I had a spotting scope so I knew I would get a great view from afar.  It is best not to approach marine mammals on the beach.  They are very large, can be unpredictable, and could be under considerable stress.  It is best to step away and if you have you dog with you, put on a leash right away. In San Juan County you can report these animals  to the Marin Mammal Stranding Network.  Remember these are wild animals that usually do not have close contact or interaction with humans.  Therefore they can react in a manner which could lead to their injury or yours.  It is best to view them from a very safe distance with optics.  I have opted to leave the location of this seal out of my post to hopefully not encourage people to visit.  If you happen to come along a beach with signs posting that there is a marine mammal hauled out on the beach, the best thing to do it select another beach location.

Here are the photos I took.  Mind you these images are taken with a point and shot digital through a spotting scope.  So they are not the best.

Here I am setting up the scope.  Look how nice the sun looks.

Ahh.  Taking a bit of a rest.

There were some people approaching the beach.  Nervous behavior ensued and the people got way to close and should have been more respectful.

Close up of forward flipper.

Close up of the hind flippers.

Just doing the best it can to blend in.

After the I had my time viewing the Seal I headed off in a new direction to check on the Red Tailed Haws.  I found the Rufous Morph thanks to a large juvenile Bald Eagle.  The Eagle landed in a tree way off in the distance.  When I got the scope out and was scanning to locate the Eagle I found the Red Tail.  I took a few photos and they are not that great.  But you can see the nice rusty colors on the chest.  These images were taken via the scope from hundreds of yards away.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed seeing the Ele Seal...  I sure had a great time seeing it today.

Morning Kayak Lessons

A good start to the day when you wake up and see the sun and having to get on the water to teach kayak lessons.  Though it was cold outside, I could tell it was going to warm nicely once the sun had time to do its work.  After a cup of coffee it was time to meet Lauren (my student for the class) and load the gear and get on the water.  The water was perfect, flat calm and good for learning the basics.  Lauren has taken classes before and it pretty up to speed on self rescue.  So we were out to work on kayak handling skills.  Mainly driving home proper edging, body movement and blade placement.

After the lesson it was off to grab a bite to eat and get back outside.  I of course headed out to check in the Red Tailed Hawks (RTHs).  I ran into Monika again, http://orcawatcher.blogspot.com/ , who once again got great images on the RTHs in flight. She got some images of the pair together.  I was able to locate the Rufous Morph further south. There was a visitor with me in town from London and I was having fun showing some of the beauty of the island to him.  We scoped out Stellar Sea Lions, Harbor Seals and various birds.  He seemed to really enjoy the views from the island and he agreed the RTHs were amazing.  

So I know that RTHs are pretty much everywhere and some people reading this must think I am nuts.  But on San Juan Island we see lots of Bald Eagles, but not so many RTHs.  So seeing this pair is pretty nice.  There are so many morphs within this species it is amazing.  They are super resilient and can survive in many environments.  I have always been an admirer of RTHs and it is nice to have such a consistent pair to watch.

The sounds of Meadowlarks and Black Wing Blackbirds could be heard all around.  View of Bald Eagles soaring high in the distance.  It was really another great day to be on the island.  

To end the day I went down to Steps Wine Bar and Cafe for my last glass of wine in its current location.  It is sad to see it move , but the new location sports a nice water view and more space. The old location holds many memories for me.  From my parents coming to visit for my birthday, many nights with good friends, and dinner with certain special people that have moved through my life.  I look forward to many new memories at the new location!

On another note I added a new member to the Discovery Sea Kayak Guide Team today.  He was very excited and I am excited to have him.  I will give him a more official welcome aboard later. But he seemed very happy to join the Team.

I took a few pictures today, so check them out.

Oh so nice to be on the water!

The old Cannery.

Working on wide figure 8 patterns here.  I am looking for proper edging and paddle strokes.

Whenever I can take pictures of the sweetest mini ever made, I DO!  Check out this Previa with a sweet NDK Explorer on top.  Nothing else needs to be said, PERFECTION!

Morning Run and Beautiful San Juan Island Sunset

Today I decided to start my day with a run and the sun was bright in the sky.  I was excited to get out and enjoy the fresh air.  Guinness and I arrived at the trail head as always and a bit of stretching then off on the trail.  It was just a wonderful time to be on the trail.  I cannot say that my legs were ready for the morning run, but they got me through. 

As I climbed the back side of this, oh so fun to jog up, hill.  When I got to the top in the open grassland there was a fox in total hunting mode.  I stuck around for a bit and watched but moved on so not to disturb it efforts.  

The day was blue with nice big white clouds.  The water was very calm and hardly a breeze in the air.  As I finished my run I got a glimpse of one of the Red Tailed Hawks I have been watching.  It was perched high in a fir tree enjoying the sun.  

It was a great morning to get outside.  I owe the thanks to a friend that said they were getting up around 5am for a run.   I laughed and said I will make it out by 9am.

After cleaning up and eating lunch I headed back out with my bird watching gear.  When I arrived Monika's car was parked where I usually scope out the Red Tailed Hawks.  She was no where in sight and was off taking photos of the many Meadowlarks we have been seeing.  Check out her blog to see images. http://orcawatcher.blogspot.com/

I set up my gear and one of the really light morph Red Tails was perched in the same tree from the mornings run.  Monika soon arrived back at the car and we both were enjoying the view. Then the Red Tail took flight flying right over the car.  Monika I am sure got some great shots. The hawk made a big loop and returned to its perch.  It took flight again and we followed in the direction it disappeared.  As we head toward the lighthouse we saw another Red Tail.  It was majestically perch on top of a rock on a step slope.  As luck with have it.  It flew right over us and I cannot wait to see Monika's photos.  Soon after we returned to Monika's car and went our own ways.

I headed out the the West Side of San Juan Island to catch the sun set.  When I arrived it was warm and the sum was still high in the sky.  I spied a view of a River Otter moving around in the kelp bed below.  I got to watch it for about 15 minutes before it decided to move on.  While waiting for the sun to drop I laid back and took a nice nap in the sun.  It sure was a rough day. As I woke and took a look around there was a Stellar Sea Lion heading south along the shore. I could see Dall's Porpoise in the distance moving along at a nice viewable pace.  

The sun made its way slowly and as it tucked behind the clouds the temperature started to fall fast.  It was a nice sunset and I was happy to be apart of it.

This a beautiful place to live.  If you ever have a chance to visit, I would jump on it.

Here are few pictures I took from the day.

You can see the fox in the tall grass.

Nice view of the calm water and blue sky.

Ahh the self portrait as I await the setting of the sun.

The sun drops behind the clouds.

Not a bad view.

More.

The final image.  Not too bad!

Well I hope that all of you have enjoyed the images and a bit of what I had to say.

Anyway! Hope everyone is doing well.

Gear Spotlight: Dry Bags

I have used various dry bags over the years and some have been great and some have not really held up to the beating of being shoved in kayaks.  So I wanted to take a bit of time and mention the dry bags that I use and would recommend to anyone.

I think we may see more kayak inspired products from this company in the future and they have a reputation of making solid equipment.  Outdoor Research is an amazing company that has been making mountain gear for years.  They stand behind their products and have branched out into the Dry Bag market.  I was excited to see this given that I have been a big fan of OR gear for years.

The OR Bags I use:

I first started using the OR Dry Sacks for my personal use and was so impresses with them I added them to my commercial kayak tour fleet (Discovery Sea Kayaks).  I use them for clients to put their gear i and I use the Dry Compression Sacks to pack all sleeping bags in.  I have had no problems with the Dry Sacks.  None have ripped or torn.  The Compression Sacks have help up at all sewn points where so other manufactures bags have failed in the past.

Unlike the Vinyl Dry Bags, which I still use sometimes, the OR Dry Sacks slide easily when packing in plastic or fiberglass kayaks.  They are easier to store when empty due to the pliable fabric.

OR also has an Infinite Guarantee.  There is some small print with that of course. But any time I have had a rare occasion when I needed to send a piece of equipment back.  It was taken care of swiftly.

Hydroseal Dry Sack:  This is my preferred bag that they make.  Thicker than some of the other models they make.  I have yet to become a fan of the ultralight dry bags.  The bag features standard roll down closure with buckle secure top.  The fabric is a waterproof coated Antron Nylon, which is abrasion and tear resistant.  

No.1 Hydroseal Dry Sack Volume 5L.  This is my sack of preference.  I paddle a NDK Explorer and the with small round hatches, it is nice to have small durable dry bags.  You can find a few of these in my kayak at any given time.  From gloves and beanies to snacks, I use this bag for everything.

No. 2 Hydroseal Dry Sack Volume 10L.  I use this as a dry bag to carry jackets and other bulky spare items I may need.  It is not too big so I can easily fit it anywhere in my kayak.

My next favorite bag by Or is the AirPurge Dry Compression Sack.  Made with the same durable material as the Hydroseal Dry Sack and an added gor-tex like fabric band that purges the air as you compress the bag.  This has become my favorite dry bag for sleeping bags and even my little tent.

No. 1 AirPurge Dry Compression Sack Volume 10L.  This is what I use for my sleeping bag and for my tent.  This is one of the easiest functioning compression sacks there is.  Since there is the fabric band that purges the air, you do not have a valve that awkwardly sticks off to the side or bottom.  

No. 3 AirPurge Dry Compression Sack Volume 25L.  This is the bag we use for our commercial kayak tours.  We put all sleeping bags in the dry bag.  We have not had any problems with clients tearing the bag while compressing them.  This was a problem with a previous manufacturer we used.  They compress the sleeping bags nicely and make it easier to pack warm sleeping bags in the kayaks.  

SealLine Dry Bags.  The are heavy duty vinyl dry bags.  I have phased most of my SealLine bags out for the OR Dry Sack for packing items such as clothes and sleeping bags.  What I do use them for is packing equipment that is heavy and typically I am afraid of puncture possibilities.  Mainly use when pack my Brunton Wind River Range.  I use this stove for my commercial kayak tours. It is a beast and cooks as good as being at home.  But I needed a super durable Dry Bag.  I turned to the SealLine TieDown Bag

SealLine TieDown.  This a rectangular cut bag that can accommodate large equipment.  It is as rugged as you can find in a dry bag.  A central carry handle makes it perfect for porting from the beach to camp.  I do have confidence in this product.  I have not had any problems with it in the field and it can take a serious load.  I will have stove, hoses and cutting boards pack away in my TieDown Bag and it is nice and safe from the salt water.

Well if you are looking at some Dry Bags and not sure what to buy.  I really feel the best dry bags on the market today are the Outdoor Research Dry Sacks.  Check them out the next time you are at your local paddle shop.

Yesterdays Fun San Juan Island

After spending lots of time not getting much done.  I decided to head out and spy on the pair of Red Tailed Hawks I have been watching over the past month.  When I was out I was lucky enough to see the male Meadowlark again.  This time I as able to set up the scope and get an even more impressive view of the brightly colored bird.  When I first arrived to the area the Red Tails were kiting in the wind and moving about an open grassland area.  After spending some time checking them out, it was time to move further down to the south end.  Searching for the Rufus Red Tailed morph with no luck.  There were a few Bald Eagles in the area and that was nice.  Getting back to the area I think a pair of Red Tailed Hawks are nesting, I set up the scope to look around.  A fox appeared down the road and was acting a bit strange.  I decided to follow its path and see what other strange behavior I might see.  But it disappeared and I was not able to locate it.  Then I noticed a wonderful bird flying towards me.  It was a Northern Shrike. I have been looking for one of these over the past week without success.  It flew along and then landed and I was able to spend a little time viewing it in detail with my bino's.  As I was heading home I spotted another Red Tail in a different location.  I will have to spend some time in that area and see if it is there consistently or if it just happened to be passing by when I was.  All in all it was a really nice day out.  Even though it was windy and a bit chilly, it was worth the time to see the few amazing birds living life in the wild.

I did not take any pictures.   Maybe next time I will get some good images to share.

ANYWAY,,  I hope  everyone is having a good day.

San Juan Island Birding

I started my day a bit in a haze from the late night of hanging out with friends.  I had a sales rep coming into town and it was best to get things moving so I would be awake when he got off the ferry.  

Soon as we were done Monika called and we decided to head out and check out the birds.  I borrowed a spotting scope for the day and it was so nice to have along.  

The list stood as usual with a couple of new sightings.  We saw one Western Meadowlark which we have not been seeing.  There was also a Pacific Loon messing about in Cattle Pass.  

As we traveled along the roadside we caught a glimpse of a Northern Harrier and a Red Tailed Hawk.  The Red Tail landed in a tree, so we pulled over and got the scope set up.  The Red Tail was one from the pair I have been seeing on my runs.  I am pretty sure they have a nest in there area.  Later we were able to locate the other mate.  It was a nice Rufous Morph.  

It was a pretty relaxing day and there was not better way to spend Darwin Day.  Looking at birds, thinking the inspiration Darwin drew from simply investigating beaks of Finches.  Pretty amazing..

ANYWAY!  Happy 200th Darwin.

Here are a couple of picture of one of the Red Tailed Hawks.  I took the images through the scope, so they are a little fuzzy.

Click on the images to enlarge.

Hope everyone is having a good night.

Snow, Sunshine and Friday Harbor Turns 100 Years Old.

To catch everyone up with the last couple day I will compress it all in one post.  But as usual not much is really happening on San Juan Island right now.

Three days ago there wast he 100th celebration of the town of Friday Harbor.  There was cake, clowns and donkeys.  Not sure why, but I guess the kids enjoyed it.  The Fire House was cooking food and had band.  There was a beard contest, so there were some pretty awesome sights.  I did not hang around long, but it was fun to see everyone out enjoying themselves.

Yesterday I woke up to snow!  I was not really expecting snow, but is was coming down.  The flakes were huge.  It did not stick to the ground really and eventually turned to rain.  The day stayed cold and I hibernated inside.  So it was a really slow day.

Today the sunshine returned to the island and it was nice outside.  I woke up early to have breakfast with a good friend, which was nice to catch up on how things have been going.  After that I was to help out another friend with moving a heavy package and spent some nice time afterward having coffee.  Yeap I know, its a rough life.  The day was too nice to sit in the house so I took off with Guinness for a run.  I hit the same area I usually run, but took a different route to add distance.  Though distance was really not what I was looking to increase.  It was time outside I wanted more of.  I was an amazing day with blue skies mixed with puffy white clouds.  Very little wind and the water conditions were calm.  As I was headed back to my car I enjoyed the sight of a Red Tailed Hawk soaring over the tall grass.  As I got a little further along there was a Northern Harrier buzzing along the treeline.  I actually saw a second Red Tailed Hawk perched high in a fir tree.  I wanted to get close to get a picture. But with its keen eyesight, I stood no chance.  I reached the trail head the run had charged my inner being.  I was full of energy and and my mind was crisp and clear.  It was another beautiful moment on San Juan Island.

Here are a few photos from the past few days.

This image is from Feb 9th.  I was walking to town and this cloud was just perfect.  Not sure why I was so intrigued, but I had to get a picture.

Feb 9th as well.  This is a view of the harbor and you can see the same awesome cloud in the distance.

Today I ran down to the Thrid Lagoon.  This picture is of Griffin Bay and blue skies.

I made my way from the Third Lagoon to an area known as Cape San Juan.  I crossed over to the Cattle Point Lighthouse.  As I may made way I stopped to enjoy the distant view of Vancouver Island.

Making my way back to the top of the hill I stopped to view back toward the Cattle Point Lighthouse.  Truly a beautiful day.

Well with out adding the daily grind details such as taxes and laundry, this is what  have been up to.  I hope everyone is enjoying their days as well.  

Thanks for stopping by and checking in on my view of the beautiful San Juan Islands of Washington State.

Anyway!

Astral Greenjacket Review

I have finally spent a bit more time in the Astral Greenjacket and I have decided it is time to go ahead with my finally review of the product.

My previous jacket was a Stohlquist Brik.  Which is a side entry style jacket.  I was really happy with performance and fit.  I did have a zipper problem which was a not really taken care of by Stohlquist.  I was teaching a class and was performing a "Cowboy/Back Deck" rescue and the zipper broke.  When I contacted service dept to get it fixed they wanted me to pay shipping and charge for the repair of a new jacket.  I passed on the factory repair and did the best I could do. I do not recommend that.  Next issue I had was there is simply no storage on the vest.  Not that big of a deal since I try to not load myself with stuff.  Overall it was a good fit and a clean front making it snag free while messing about the deck of my sea kayak.

On to the Greenjacket!  

My use of the Greenjacket is for sea kayak guiding and personal kayaking tips.  I plan to wear it as my guide vest during the 2009 season.  Plus I will be taking it on various trips of my own with water conditions ranging for protected water, heavily current water with many rips, to open coastal paddling.

Getting used to the pull over entry took me a bit.  It seem a bit awkward while pulling it over my dry suit.  But once it is on, it fits nice.  So I am going to first talk about the fit of the Greenjacket. After I pulled it on for the first time, I had to get familiar with all the tension straps.  Once things felt good I was able to see that this is a comfortable jacket.  No problems with range of motion in shoulders or rotation.  After getting in the water with the jacket I did have a bit of an issue with the shoulder straps.  They seem to ride up and lose connection to my shoulders.  I have worked on the adjustments and just cannot get it dialed.  Giving in to the fact that this may be the way it is just going to be, I wanted to make sure the entire jacket did not ride up or get easily pulled up. In testing the jacket held firm to the body and did not seem to ride up much.  The floatation of the jacket is nice and secure.  I never felt loose in the jacket, it always seems to be apart of me. There is an internal back band that gives a bit of extra support if you are in your kayak for extended periods.

I  have done plenty of rolls with the jacket and there was no hindrance what so ever.  I was concerned when I first got the jacket that it was going to hinder me in lay back flat to the back deck.  But this was not a problem. 

The storage on the jacket is massive compared to my previous jacket.  So I may be bit exaggerated to some on how much storage there is.  The main pocket is the front center of the jacket and it is pretty big.  It is easy to get in a out of while on the water and with gloves on.  The jacket comes tow ready, but I do not use a jacket mounted tow system.  I have been thinking about maybe setting up a short tow from the vest and keeping my North Water tow system for longer ranged tows.  There are small pockets on both sides of the jacket.  These have proved great for me to put small things for quick repair work or power bar.

The jacket has plenty of features for a rescue jacket.

Rope Ready

Tow Ready

Spectra Safety Loop

Knife Park

Padded Protection

Nice Pockets

Reinforces Shoulder Straps.

I hope to have the chance to test all the feature of this jacket during the 2009 season.

I am very happy with the Greenjacket so far.  I cannot speak for its durability until after the 2009 kayak season.

To give you a quick list of a few issues that I did have with the jacket.

First when I was teaching in the pool and not wearing anything under the vest.  I had issues with some of the tension strap connection digging into my skin.  I eventually had to loosen the vest and compromise fit for comfort.  I do not have this problem when wearing a dry suit.

Second issue I came upon was practicing the "Cowboy/Back Deck" rescue.  When I put items in the pocket it created a bit of bulk on the center of the chest.  When getting on the back deck the jacket would catch on the kayak.  This is a minor issue.  Once I was aware of this, I simply would get my chest higher off the deck.  But it did require me to alter my technique to be successful.

Overall this is a solid jacket.  Fit is nice, plenty of features and quality craftsmanship.  I would recommend the Greenjacket for anyone looking to have a vest that fits great and moves with your body.  If is secure and never feels lose.  If you are heading out on whitewater or going to take on some ocean tidal rips or surf, the Greejacket is a nice choice to take with you.

Mountainsmith Sprint Review

Typically I give my two cents on kayak gear, but I am going to speak for this one piece of running equipment.

The Mountainsmith Sprint:

I used to think these were all to goofy and just never wanted to give it a try. Well I was surfing the web and made my typical stop by Steep and Cheap and there it was. It was such a good price and I have been looking for a solution for carrying my digital camera, gloves, water, mp3 player, asthma meds, and dogie bags for Guinness. Most of what I have run across just looked too big. So I decided to take a risk and just buy this one. I could not be more happy with it.

First impression out of the box was it look interesting. The suspension system at first looks a bit off, but once you put it on, well it makes sense. The bag itself stays off the body. There is an x-brace behind the bag with a mesh band that rest against you. The tension straps along the side create an arch in the bracing and the main compartment stays off you. So you never really fell he bag as you run.

The main compartment has room for gloves, MP3 player, and a few other small things. There are two other pouches that I use to carry my digital camera and the other for my asthma meds. So it really works out for me. The water bottle carrier rest in such a way that it does not interfere with your running and arm movements, but can be easily used while on the go.

I have used this while running on flat, steep and varied terrain. It was not even noticeable. While running at a sprint pace, at first it seemed to move around a bit. I readjusted the tension on the straps and did not have the problem again.

All in all it is a solid performing piece of equipment. If you are looking for a little extra room to carry a few things and do not want to really notice you've added anything to your body. Then I really think this is a good fit. Shop around online and you will find it on sale on most sites. For under 40 bucks it is a great deal!

A Small Post Today

Today I woke to sad news of my Grandmother passing.  It is sad for me to be so far from family during times like this.

Last night I made plans to do some hiking with my buddy Jesse and decided it was best to just get out there.  I met up with him and we headed to an area known as Sugar Loaf.  It was an amazing hike.  Red Tailed Hawks soaring along the steep terrain and sounds of Barred Owls calling to each other.  Old Madrona Trees and Douglas Firs stood strong in the earth.  The density of the clouds was thick but comforting.  Spending time in the woods was great, having a good friend along to chat with made it even better.  We sat and looked over the landscape out toward the sea.  Relaxing and peaceful is the best wasyto describe the scene.  As we started our return, we made our way down a steep gully.  It was amazing, it looked like water used to flow heavily at one time.  Now covered with crumbled boulders and fallen trees.  We picked our way along and saw some wonderful parts of nature there.  Strange enough, I took many pictures and when I got home there were no images recorded for the day.  I checked the space on the SD card and there was plenty of spcae and no images.  I did a few test shots and all worked fine.  Maybe today I was suppose to enjoy the view for myself, I don't know. But I do not have any images to share from my day.

I hope the peace which I was able to touch today is a sign of the peace felt by my Grandmother. She will be missed by many.  I send love home to my Mother and family.

Jason.

Island Life

Today was centered around getting  few things done around the house.  Then kicking back and taking it easy.  The sun came out and with a few clouds looming in the distance, I assumed the sunset was going to be great.  My buddy Jesse called and said he would join me with his daughter Ayana.

I headed out the Land Bank Property on the west side of San Juan Island. This is a great place to get vies of Vancouver Island and the Olympic Mountains.  As I pulled up Jesse was already there. Guinness was excited the see Ayana and I think she was pretty happy to see him.  We walked down and as the sun was hanging low in the sky, you could feel the cool air moving in.  Jesse played his Ukulele, which he made, and I took my Guitar.  We played some song and had a great time. Jesse is not only a good friend of mine but he is a lead kayak guide for Discovery Sea Kayaks.

I just want share a few island photos this evening.

Jesse rocking it out!

We have been having weather for this time of year.  Anytime I can see a sunset like this, I do not care if it is a little cold out.  Anyone who has been here or lived here and moves away.  This is a picture to help you remember the beautiful island sunsets.

ANYWAY;)

I hope everyone is having a wonderful and safe evening.

Birding, Running and Sunset

Yesterday was a day filled with good time outdoors.  Starting with a cup of coffee and running a few small errands.   Then heading over to pick up Monika for a bit of birding.  So some people look at me funny when I say I am going or have gone birding.  Birding is bird watching.  We have been going out and checking out sea birds but have not done my woodland birding, so that was the goal of the day.  We headed out to the Roche Harbor trails and walked around the woods listening and searching out the birds as the flew amongst the trees.  After a pretty long hike we decided to surrender our efforts and check a few other places.  The first stop was in hopes of seeing Wood Ducks, but that did not work out.  Moving on the False Bay for a quick look around and not seeing too much.  The tide was high so we usually do not see much.  The off the see if we could locate a Northern Shriek.  That really did not work out either.  

I headed home and decided it was a good day for a run.  The forecast was for rain and the sun came out and it was really nice most of the day.  I could not resist the opportunity to get a run in. Heading out to my typical running spot and getting on the trail.  I made good time to the back side of the trail and made my way out of the woods to the open hillside.  It was going to be a wonderful sunset.  I took a seat on a nice rock and before long I look over my shoulder and Richard was making his way to the same spot.  Exchanging hellos and discussing how beautiful the scene looks.  A bit of work chat and then as the sun slipped away the air developed a cold bite.  Instead of running back to the trail head, I decided to enjoy the walk out with Richard.  My friend Penny was somewhere on the trail but we did not know where.  The walk was perfect, there was little wind, the sun setting created wonderful rich tones on the landscape.  It was almost silent outside.  Returning to the trail head we meet up with Penny and it was time for everyone to head home.

Being such a great day, I wanted to have a great dinner.  So I collected a few people and we headed to Steps Wine Bar and Cafe.  The perfect end for the day.  Enjoying a few nice glasses of wine and food that was flavorful and complementing of the day.  Hanging out with friends over good food and wine is one of the better ways you can spend an evening.

Here is my bird list from the day:

Ruby Crowned Kinglet American Robin

Chickadee Junco

Rave Bald Eagle

Red-Breasted Nuthatch Varied Thrush

Northern Flicker Spotted Towhee

Bewicks Wren Crow

Pintail Ducks Ringneck Ducks

Kingfisher Hooded Merganser

Common Merganser Buffleheads

Mallard Ducks Trumpeter Swans

Green Wing Teal Duck Mew Gulls

Glaucus Wing Gull Red Tailed Hawk

The photos:

Looking south on San Juan Island.

Taking a break from my run to enjoy the sunshine. Thanks for the photo Richard.

Beautiful

Richard enjoying a classic San Juan Island sunset.

Sweeping View

Sea Kayaking Across Channels with Swift Currents

If you have ever Sea Kayaked in an area where there is a significant tidal exchange, then you know what I am talking about.  Crossing a channel only couple of miles wide with swift moving water can lead to all kinds of problems.Gaining an understanding on how to safely get from one point to another point across channels is an invaluable tool.

I will set this discussion up with an example.  You are on a kayak trip with friends in the wonderful San Juan Islands.  You want to see as many of the islands as you can so you plan to cross from island to island to camp.  Looking at your chart (a map for navigating on waterways) you see that there will time when you will be crossing channels as wide as 4 nautical miles (approx. 1 1/7 statute miles per nautical mile).  Since this is your first time the region and you group has little experience kayaking in regions with moderate tidal exchanges, you simply plot a line on your chart straight across between the two desired points.

Fig 1

By simply looking at Fig 1 I hope you can see the error in judgment you are about to make.  Making assumptions your group is strong enough to make-way against the current can lead to a disaster if an emergency arises.  You will get swept far off course and into possibly a more dangerous situation.  If you end up having to tow and kayak partner you may not have the power to paddle against the current.  Thinking off all possibilities, then developing a travel route that has a bit of a buffer for error can be in your best interest.

What can you do to prevent such problems when crossing channels.  First step is to take care of your route planning ahead of time at home.  Use a local tide chart and create a time table of each day you plan to be on the water.  Note the times of the Ebb and Flood Tides.  This will help in deciding what times are best to cross a channel and what the proper heading might be for the given tide.  Do not forget to account for other factors such as wind.  See my previous post on wind, http://seayakwc.blogspot.com/2009/01/when-is-wind-to-strong-for-kayaking.html.  You can read about how wind and current have an effect on water conditions.  Make notes on your chart for possible routes in relation to different tides.  Know your kayak partners capabilities.  If you are not aware of what kind of pace they are capable of do some testing.  Simple record the time it takes you to travel a certain distance along the shoreline.  A simple calculation will give you the speed you are moving.  For planning purposes and if I do not know my kayak partners that well, I use 3knots as an average speed. 

You can record all of this data on your kayak using a grease pen.  Everything from the days tides and times, to weather can be recorded right on your kayaks.  I even use it to make notes about conditions of my kayak partners.  If someone is sea sick or feeling they might get sick.  It is a great tool.

A watch is needed to record time so that you can see you speed in relationship to your planned travel distance for the day.  Knowing you are not going to be setup for a crossing at the time you had planned.  Will allow you time to see what adjustments you need to make before arriving at that point.  

Using the above example from Fig 1 I will explain two different techniques used to successfully cross a channel to your desired destination.  You can choose one of two ways of getting across.  The first is called ferrying.  When setting up for a ferry angle you need to have a good understanding of the estimated rate of flow of the water and the paddle pace of your group.  With a slow current ferrying is easier.  As the current increases in flow (speed) you need to start thinking about option number 2.  I like to refer to option number 2 as the distance advantage.  Because you are adding more distance to your paddle but it give you an advantage on your crossing.  Take a look at Fig 2 Below.

Fig 2:  The Yellow Line represents the route you might have planned if you did not take current in account.

The Pink Line represents a Ferry Crossing.

The Blue Line represents a Distance Advantage Crossing.

Note the black dot on the kayaks represent the front of vessel.

Given the data in Fig 2 let’s look at the Pink Line (Ferrying).  The heading you choose is not going to be the direction of travel.  You want to point your kayak slightly up current.  How far you choose to correct up stream will depend on your ability to make pace and not lose ground.  I like to take a land mark behind off my stern and one in line off the front my bow.  I can use these two points at any time to check and see if I am moving off my projected course.  The objective is to side slip, so as you paddle up current you are not making forward progress.  You are moving in a line sideways to you intended destination.  The trick here is to be in tune with your ability to make pace against the moving water.  If you cannot you will lose ground and miss your target.  Plus if you it is small target and something goes wrong during the crossing.  Then you can miss your target.  There is less room for error when ferrying across.

Now let’s take a look at the Blue Line (Distance Advantage Crossing).  You have decided the current is just too swift for your group to make a ferry crossing so now you have to make a plan.  This means you simply need to follow the shoreline further up current before attempting your crossing.  Make sure to give yourself enough room so that the paddle is not a struggle on your group.  Maybe a little extra room if you need a quick break or an emergency.  I usually start out with a nice angle to feel out the current.  As I begin to make distance from my starting point I judge to see if I how far I have been moved back from the area I started.  I slowly start to reduce my angle and let the current push me toward my destination.  When I am within reach I flatten the angle and let the current push me against the shore of my target location.  The disadvantage here is you have to add more distance to your paddle.  But in the long run it may conserve energy and provide a safer approach, depending on your group.

That wraps up my topic for today.  I hope for those interested in this kind of information find it helpful.  It takes time and experience being on the water to develop a confident feel when crossing currents.  Over compensate and experiment a bit as you develop you feel.

ANYWAY;) I want say thanks to everyone who tune into my blog and check out whats going on.

Hope everyone is having a great day.

 

A Wonderful Day On The Water

Today I was lucky to have the chance to be out on the water, but this time I was in a power boat. I got a call from Robin and she was heading out to do some sampling for her research.  She is currently at the University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratory.  I was more than happy to go spend time, see the islands, and enjoy good company.  Yea who would say no?

We buzzed around to her sampling site and collected what we needed.  Every turn there was beauty to be seen.  The water was so calm it was hard to believe.  Mt. Baker and the Olympic Mountains stood high in the distance.  It was truly beautiful!  There is no place on earth I would have rather been.  Mergansers skimming the top of the water as the flew by.  Auklets dive in search of food. Harbor seals lumber along the surface of the water.  Eagles perched high in tree tops. Really do I need to keep going.  I think you can understand what I am saying.  

The most exciting part was being stopped by Coast Guard.  Not really sure why they stopped us, but we were the only boat on the water.  I guess that is there job.  It was a friendly exchange and we were on our way.  But if you were there is was a bit more comical.

Though I was not in a kayak today gliding soundless along the shore.  It is fun to be able to move quickly to other part of the islands.  The cool air in your face and the smell of salt in the air.  It really puts a smile on my face.

I want to say thanks to Robin for a fun afternoon.

ANYWAY;)

Here are a few pics:

Heading out you can see Mt. Baker in the distance.

Robin and Mt. Baker

Nudibranch and Sea Star at the docks.

Flat water!

Heading home..  What a view.

Nature,, My Guidance Counselor

Today was a day of too much I wanted to do with a not enough time.  Of course none of it would mean the end of the world if I did not get it done.  First off I had to have a meeting with Richard. He was in Seattle over the weekend and we had to discuss possible candidates to hire.  After that it was the typical stuff; post office, clean dishes, pay rent etc.  But the most important for me was to not let all of the daily grind keep me from getting outside and on the trail for a run.  Today was amazing.  Sun was bright all day and the temperature was warm.  I could not of dreamed of a more beautiful day.  So after getting most of my list done I decided it would be best to play a little guitar before taking off for my run. 

As I headed out I could see distant views of snow covered mountains.  It was just one of those days where energy was all around you.  Guinness (my dog) was really feeling it.  I had a hard time getting him settled down to get in my car.  He was speed running circles around the yard.  Then he would fall down and roll.  I have to say it was pretty funny.  But I finally got him rounded up.  

We hit the trail with a nice slow pace to get warmed up.  I took my old route and as you reach the back part of the trail there is the really steep climb to reach the top.  So the first part of the run is all in the woods and as you crest the hill, it simply can take your breath away.  The Olympic Mountains covered in snow. Mount Rainier off in the distant looming over the water.  As you turn east you get view of Mount Baker an the Cascade Range.  All full of white contrasting the bright blue of the sky.  The water was calm, so calm it look as if I could skip a rock from San Juan Island to Vancouver Island.  It was just one of those days.

I set the title to, Nature My Guidance Counselor, because that is how  I feel about being outside. I enter the woods with plenty of life topics on my mind.  But with every step and every view, the questions that seem so hard to grasp the answers to become easier to understand.  Sometimes the questions seem to lose their importance and you ask yourself why you were even wasting energy on such things.  Clarity is something that we all seek in our lives.  I cannot say I come home with complete clarity but I do come back with a new perspective.

So I would like to say thanks to the best Guidance Counselor I could ask for, Nature.

I metered around and every time this image was dark.  But here is Mt. Baker.

"Holly Cow Batman" look at that flat water!

Saying good night to the sun as it continues its journey to the other side of the world.

Great Day To Kayak San Juan Islands

Today was an amazing day to get on the water.  I had motivation, there was a nice guy from Bellingham coming out for an interview.  So of course we had to go kayaking.  It could not have been a better day.  No wind at all, partly sunny, and some nice current.  Perfect to be playing in your kayak.  It was an early start to my day, and I met him at the ferry landing and did a quick drive around to see the island.  Next we loaded gear and headed out.  

Leaving from Small Pox Bay and paddle down to the Lime Kiln Lighthouse.  It was a relaxing paddle and getting to know the hopeful guide.  Talked about kayaking and other experiences.  As we paddled back we had a nice ebb tide so the current was fun.  As we arrived back at Small Pox Bay we played around doing rolls and other self rescues.  All in all a really fun day on the water.

I did not take my camera with me so I really do not have many images to share.  I did take one picture of a Bald Eagle.  It was at a distance so it is not the best.

ANYWAY :)  Hope everyone is doing good.

Here is the Bald Eagle.  Click on image for a better view.

Yesterdays Eagles

After my great run the other day, I had a nice talk with my neighbor and thought he has been seeing Golden Eagles on the island.  Not being a bird you would see here this time of year I first assume he is seeing Juvenile Bald Eagles.  But the I decided what is the harm in heading out and seeing for myself.  I called Monika, as she is always up for a birders challenge.  We agreed on a 9 am start. Heading out to the south end of the island I thought it would be best start from high overlooks and scan the area.  This I still feel was the best idea, but the wind was strong and cold.  So we could not do it for long.  We ended up driving around to certain area we thought might yield a peak at a Golden Eagle, but no luck.  But being outside in the morning enjoying the views of the area and looking at Bald Eagles was not too bad.  We ended up seeing so many Bald Eagles, I think we stop counting at 20.  There were a lot of Juveniles around and Adult Bald Eagles were displaying courtship behavior.  We did see the two Red Tailed Hawks that I saw on my run the day before.

Please check out Monika's Blog to read her account of the morning and she took a couple of really nice Bald Eagle photos.

It was a fun morning and even without seeing a Golden Eagle it was worth getting up to enjoy.

I hope all my friends in my home town are well.  I know most of you are still without power. Stay warm and take care.