Peggy Hanson

Olympic Bird Fest is On!

A Female Spectacled Eider Preening at Drycreek Waterfowl Sanctuary

If you’re “into” birding or bird photography, then undoubtedly you’ve been anxiously awaiting the return of Olympic Bird Fest, which starts today and continues through Sunday. And to celebrate, I’ll be posting photos of birds all this week including more from this wonderful Port Angeles sanctuary.

Having attended festivals in other parts of the country and in a variety of classes and outings offered by Olympic Audubon Society, I found ours to be not only educational, enlightening, but one of the best in the country.

If you’re not currently a birder and just looking for a new challenge, or something fun to do this weekend, check out their website as there are still openings in some of the events, and be sure to get your raffle ticket for a ~$1500 spotting scope – a great way to start your birding adventure!

Granny’s Emu

A Baby Emu at Granny’s Cafe

Although certainly not the best bird photo I’ve captured, I couldn’t resist getting a shot of this adorable creature outside of Granny’s Cafe off Hwy 101 in Port Angeles last weekend.

After indulging in a soft swirl ice cream cone, I found myself outside having to use the facilities located behind the building, and while there I noticed two young girls cooing at “something” through the window of another concrete building…so my curiosity got the best of me, and I asked what it might be.

To my surprise, it was this baby emu. He/she was all alone but was being kept warm by an amber heat lamp and a stove in the corner. I can only guess at its age, but apparently, it must not have been far from newborn status, and I could only hope it would live a good long life. And like the Liberty Insurance TV commercial, one never knows, it may be famous one day!

So if you’re in Port Angeles, I not only recommend stopping by to see it for yourselves, but to indulge in at least one their ice cream cones too!

Merganser Mama

Salt Creek Recreation Area, Pt. Angeles

Although considered “common” mergansers, in my book, this gal was anything but common, at least not in my world.

Aside from her beautiful head of feathers, she was extraordinary in that she was able to keep track of her seven offspring even as they darted in and out of the reeds surrounding the water, all the while evading me as I ran to keep up.

If you haven’t visited Salt Creek Recreation Area, a Clallam County Park, or stayed at the campground, I highly recommend it, and I know you wouldn’t be disappointed.

Aside from the beaches, sea stacks and tide pools, the wildlife is delightful and includes not only mergansers, but otters, eagles, hermit crabs and more.

And then there are the surfers. Suited up in dry suits, they’re amazing to watch as they sit for what seems like hours to catch the big ones; launch themselves on their boards and take off, all without seeming to mind the cold temperatures.

Aside from all this…it’s a fabulous spot to take family, friends and out of town visitors when you really want to show off the beauty of the peninsula.

Words of Wisdom?

If you’ve ever woken up, looked in the mirror and thought…oh no, what’s next, then this post is for you!

At this point in life, I find that the signs of aging can be brutally unkind and although I tried to prepare for it, or to convince myself to simply accept it and carry on, sometimes, it just slaps me in the face.

And so it was when I created this “greeting” card. It reminds me that somedays things aren’t so sunny in Sequim after all, but that The Blue Hole is still up there; tomorrow will indeed be a better day…and, that I really need to dump that mirror!

Victoria or Bust!

Trees in Bloom, Victoria, BC

Often, there’s no other city I’d rather visit than Victoria, BC, especially via the Coho Ferry, and many friends feel the same.

Visiting Victoria is like a quick and inexpensive trip to Europe, and doable in the span of 8 hours, if one returns on the same day.

The trip itself is noteworthy in that one may see whales, orcas/dolphins, and sea lions, as well as seabirds, mega yachts and cruise ships along the way. And although the weather isn’t always pristine, the view of the city certainly is!

On this particular visit, I was fortunate enough to experience flowering trees with Parliament in the distance, tulips at the Empress Hotel, and the welcoming smiles of our neighbors to the north.

May we always feel the same about this fascinating and fabulous city and may we always be welcome!

Who Knew?!

Trillium in Bloom, Olympic National Park

Although not as colorful, but closer to home than the tulip fields, Sequimites like me love to find trilliums in the forest. They cost nothing to view or photograph, require no cultivation techniques, or care, and they too are an indication that spring has arrived; which makes me wonder who coined the term “April Showers bring May flowers”?

But aside from that, trilliums are unique in that:

by picking one you can seriously injure the plant and may prevent it from producing food for the next year, and the plant will eventually take many years to recover, or die!
picking them is illegal, and…you could get arrested!
trilliums are especially unique because they produce a chemical that is technically called an elaisome, a syrup that attracts insects.
from a planted seed, it takes approximately five to nine years for the Great White Trillium to bloom! So when you see a massive number of these in spring, you know you’re looking at a bunch of plants that are at least a decade old, probably much older.
since the late nineties, the trillium, a member of the lily family, has been a symbol of bisexuality. This symbol came to be used on the Mexican bisexual flag in 2001, showing how nature can intertwine with larger themes such as love and the freedom to love regardless of gender.

Remember, you read it here first!

Skagit Valley is for Lovers!

RoozenGaarde Tulip Farm, Mt. Vernon

I can’t help but wonder if this couple, whom I found gently tiptoeing among the tulips several years ago during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival may have ventured down the path to matrimony…

Pathways of Grape Hyacinth framed by Tulip Bulbs

and if so, what a pretty path there was to offer them at nearby Tulip Town the same year. But if they hesitated, I’m sure the offerings this year will be equally as inviting.

And for those of you who haven’t been there yet, this is a gentle reminder of what you may be missing by delaying your trip. Although there are no guarantees of matrimony, you will find a fabulous display of flowers, not only tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and peonies but crocus, muscari, and more.

And I you choose to plant your own bulbs, the farm is offering 25 free Akebono Tulip bulbs if you “place a bulb order for $75.00* or more by June 15th or $90.00* or more by July 31st and we will add the 25 FREE bulbs to your order!” – see their website for more information and if you go…tiptoe lightly too, please.

P.S. the Sequim Senior Center, aka the Shipley Center is now offering a trip to the festival, April 10th, so if you’re of the ripe age, you may want to check it out!