Springtime migration north!

 

I'm back in the USA now!  I finished up my wintertime freedom and put Aquila away, and then flew over to La Paz to work on the Safari Voyager for two weeks in the beautiful Sea of Cortez.  After that, I flew up to Bellingham and then quickly got aboard the Gran Milonga and went out for a short trip in the San Juan Islands.  I started out with Lummi island, a favorite of mine, where I spent a few nights and had a nice walk around.  There are lots of fresh growing flowers and plants and migratory birds travelling through to look at.  I found some Fawn Lillies.

And another shot of the nice little bay...

Every year on my northbound trips I rediscover the wonders of my homeland, and I really love the bark and colors of the Madrone.  

Upon hiking up to a higher vantage point, I found a nice view over Bellingham Bay:

And using my binoculars I got a snap of Mt Baker too.

From Lummi Island I motored over to Cypress Island and parked in a small spot over near Eagle harbor.  I've gone to this spot a few times before and I like it, despite it being a relatively hard to anchor on spot, since it gets deep quick and isn't a large beach.  But I've always had it to myself.  This time I had a bunch of Pigeon Guillemots and Canada Geese nearby.

On Cypress Island there is a little lake with a bunch of ducks in it, and I got a view of a wood duck!

After the duck pond I headed over to the west side and found my way up to a really steep part of the island with a view.  I first went to this spot almost exactly 14 years ago, when on April 29 2008, I hiked up the hill for the first time.  This was only my second time but I remembered the way.  Also, I recall finding this little flower for the first time ever long ago.  They are still there.  The Lady slipper Orchid!

Halfway up the hill I came to a bald spot on the island and found some Cammas!  

The views are nice, and this little cove was where I anchored long ago.  Some sunlight brushed down across the island and warmed my spirits.

The view from the top is fantastic!  You can see south and west and also north, almost in all directions, except for a bit of east since there are some trees.  

I spent a while looking out on the world and thinking about how nice the San Juan islands are and have been to me, especially in my time living on the water.  I've got a week here until I head down to start working in Seattle and then head back up to Alaska.