July, 2022
Another eagle!
After my early morning walk to watch that juvenile eagle getting ready to fly (that was amazing!), and then realizing I could be standing there for days before it did fly, I went back to the trailer and then headed off for a walk along a road inside this campground, a road that is sometimes just a few feet from the top of the bluff that looks out over parts of Puget Sound.
The photo below is the view to the south. This is very protected water, protected by Whidbey Island on the right (to the west) and other islands, as well as the Olympic Peninsula even further to the west. LOTS of recreational, vacationing boats travel up and down these waters between Tacoma/Seattle (central and south Puget Sound) and then up to the San Juan Islands and the Canadian Gulf Islands (and vice versa). Even though lots of boats travel here, there is lots of water, plenty of room for everyone going in any direction. It’s nice to just sit and enjoy the view. 🙂
In the photo above, the dark peninsula of land on the left is a narrow portion of southern Camano Island … and the next peninsula just beyond that one is also part of Camano Island, the very very very southern tip of Camano Island. It’s the southern “tail” of Camano Island. Check the map below and you’ll see the long tail.
In the photo above, the southern tip of Camano Island is on the left. Then there’s Hat Island (or Gedney Island … but the locals all call it Hat Island), with the grey misty mainland behind. The dark land on the right is Whidbey Island.
Photo below is looking south at Whidbey, looking at East Point on Whidbey and the houses along the beach there. Interestingly, East Point is no where near the eastern-most point of Whidbey Island.
Map below. The RED CIRCLE is where I was standing for the views above (and some views further down in this blog). You can see the LONG southern tail of Camano Island. And then there’s Hat Island further to the southeast. East Point is north of Bellis Beach, and it’s east of Baby Island Heights … it’s that pointy point of land that points directly at the RED CIRCLE. Info about the RED STAR and the RED HEART coming up. 🙂
I walked on along the road and the path next to the road that runs along a very high bluff above the water. The bluff was at least 100 feet above the beach below, above the water, and it was a steep bluff! One step over the edge and you’d be falling 100 feet to the rocks below.
I love Madrona trees. 🙂 This one (above and below) was spectacular. But the main part of the trunk of this Madrona was now parallel to the earth (and to the water below) because the bluff had caved in, fallen off, right at the root system of this gorgeous Madrona.
One of the park Rangers told me they have a lot of trouble keeping kids (and adults) off that tree trunk. You can see that the tree is hanging onto the bluff/cliff by a thread. Any moment, the whole tree could crash down, 100 feet or more, straight down to the beach and the rocks below. Do people get a thrill out of risking their lives? I guess so.
I loved how beautiful this tree was.
Onward along the road and the path. Below is a view to a point on Whidbey called Baby Island Heights (it’s on the map above). In the photo below you might be able to see a very tiny, tiny island just to the right of that point of land … it’s … Baby Island!
There’s nothing on Baby Island except vegetation. When the tide is exceptionally low, you can walk out across the sand and mud flats to Baby Island from Whidbey (from that point of land called Baby Island Heights, east of Baby Island on the map). But you’d better start walking back to Whidbey ASAP, because 5 minutes after low tide, the tide/water starts coming back in, and that sand bar will be covered in water pronto!
Even at high tide, when it looks like there’s plenty of water between Whidbey and Baby, there isn’t. Boats should not go there. In the image below, Baby Island is the RED STAR. Do not take your boat between Baby Island and Baby Island Heights or you could easily run aground. But if you go out around the west side of Baby Island, then there’s plenty of deep water. Then you can turn south and head past Greenbank, then past Beverly Beach, and all the way down to the RED HEART (in the image below).
That long bay is Holmes Harbor. The RED HEART is where our family lived and where I grew up after we moved back to the USA from the Philippines when I was just 11 years old. I loved living on Holmes Harbor. I loved the sea life, the birds, the beach, the trees, swimming in saltwater almost every day of my life there. Ah me, sigh. 🙂
So being able to see Whidbey Island, and Baby Island, and all the rest, was really special for me on this camping trip. I’d bet most of you Readers aren’t mezmerized by these details. 🙂 But I bet some of you who are boaters will enjoy the details and maybe you’ve even been in these waters. The very southern end of Holmes Harbor (near Freeland) is a monstrous mud flat at low tide, no marinas, don’t go down there and anchor your boat. But you CAN anchor your boat up by the RED HEART for sure. Our small 14-foot family boat was anchored out there. There is plenty depth of water there. 🙂
Ah so, and then, on along that road/path around the edge of the bluff I went. I always look for plants and flowers that are interesting. I spotted this one lavender colored flower. What is it? Maybe it’s considered a weed in some circles. I think it’s fantastically interesting.
And then …
Just another 100 feet or so up the road, I heard it.
Another eagle.
I was on the opposite side of that small bump of land that the state park is on … so I was no where near that juvenile that was attempting to fly. But I sure heard an eagle call.
It took me a few minutes to spot it. This one was an adult. Right in the middle of the photo below.
It didn’t make much noise, didn’t call very often. I wondered if it was the momma or the poppa to that juvenile, although there are a lot of Bald Eagles here on Camano Island. What a thrill to see another one … eagle #2.
Thanks to Jeff Cutler for the donation to support the costs of this blog! I’ve not asked for donations, but they are very welcome and gratefully accepted. My PayPal address is annhay22@gmail.com. I love producing this blog, partly for a record of my own memories that I can read later in life, but equally for your camaraderie on this trip. I could “buy” readers online, but I don’t. I have you folks (about 150 readers) and that’s just fine with me.
They say 3% of readers commenting is way more than average for blogs. But with 150 readers here, that would be about 4 or 5 comments per blog post for this blog. The average number of comments per blog post here is 10! Keep those comments coming. 🙂
Keep on reading, and keep on commenting, and let’s head on up the road. 🙂 More eagles coming up!
Another eagle! How do you do that? And that madrona tree is stunning. I’m sad it’s falling, but it really is gorgeous.
Yes, I hate to see the tree fall too, Ruth, even though it’s a natural process of wind/water wearing away the bank/bluff. Eagles just seem to find me! 🙂
Liked the family history. How cool you grew up there. What a beautiful part of the world. And now there’s a young eagle who has grown up there too.
Oh I like that, Greg. I grew up here and so is that young eagle. Thank you. 🙂
Another eagle, yes how do you find them everywhere you go? The Madrona tree is powerful. But so is that tiny little flower. Puget Sound is beautiful, no wonder so many people are boaters there.
I do seem to find them, don’t I? Eagles aren’t uncommon here, tho several friends who camp or hike say they rarely see them. Indeed, boating is one of the most favorite pasttimes for people who live around Puget Sound. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
oh ya, I’ve been by there many times in my boat, up Saratoga Passage between Whidbey to the west and Camano to the east. Then up either through Deception Pass or east through the La Conner slough, or maybe just over to Coupeville. Your photos sure take me back. I never ventured down into Holmes Harbor but thought about it often. Now I wish I had. Thanks Ann, really great trip down memory lane.
I figured you’d been here, Rob. 🙂 And Deception Pass and the slough, etc. Yes great memories for me too.
I’ve never been to the west coast. I love seeing your travels around Puget Sound and other parts of Washington State. I love your maps, and follow along. I’ll never get out there, so this is really great for me. I’ve read about “madrone” trees in California, are they related to Madrona trees in Washington? The islands. Eagles. The flowers. All of it is so wonderful. Thank you for your time and energy and the cost of producing this blog. The eagles! They do … they talk with you.
Ah, Madrona vs. Madrone. Yes, same tree, different name. It seems to be “madrone” in California and “madrona” everywhere else, at least with local people, for the most part. I’ve had three different sets of friends, who live around Puget Sound here in Washington State, call these trees “madrone”. When I asked each of those six people where they were raised, they each said “California”. The original Spanish word is “madroño.” Thanks for the great comment and question, Pat.
Baby Island, is great. I guess if the ocean levels rise enough, then it won’t be an island anymore, but they’ll have to build a marker on top to warn boats away. I like that little lavendar flower, so small and almost unnoticeable, but up close it really is fascinating.
Didn’t think about rising water, but you’re right. One day Baby Island might be completely under water. I don’t like that! That flower was indeed so tiny, and so fascinating.
I loved all of it. My wife too. I guess because we aren’t familiar with Puget Sound and how MANY islands there are there, we were fascinated by those photos of just those few islands. (Baby is the best.) But that Madrona is gorgeous, and the lavender flower, but the eagle takes the cake. I know, you find eagles everywhere you go, like Sesapa said you heard and then you listened, but still you are so excited and appreciative that it makes it special for us too. I also think about how much time it takes you to produce this blog, and the financial cost. We just sent a tiny portion of our thanks to you at your PayPal account. Hope it buys you another night of camping … and more adventures to share with us. 🙂
Thank you, Tim and wife. That is so generous of you! Two other readers sent a little donation recently. I’m not going to make a point of advertising for donations, but they sure are appreciated. I’ll just add a box on the right side of these webpages with info on how to donate and my PayPal address and will leave it at that. You can bet I’ll have plenty more adventures to share! 🙂 Thanks, Tim.
Oh the eagle! And oh that tree! And yet the flower too. Thank you. 🙂
Yes! Yes! And yes! You are most welcome, M&M. 🙂
Great photos and stories. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Tina. Thanks for reading along. 🙂
You are an eagle whisperer! That madrona is gorgeous, I love that last closeup photo of it.
An eagle whisperer, that sounds like a great vocation or just a great thing to be able to do in life.
I’ve been thinking about enlarging that last closeup photo of the madrona and framing it. If you want a copy of the photo in a larger resolution, say so here, and I’ll email one to you, Bill. That goes for any photo and all readers too … if anyone wants a copy of any photo in a larger resolution, just let me know. I’ve done that three times for people so far, happy to send more.
Thanks, Bill. 🙂