Surrogate Mother

This photo was taken by my friend Marcia Breece who owns Morgan Hill Retreat - a great vacation house/B&B in Poulsbo.

She called yesterday to say the goslings had arrived! I knew that her little banty hen had taken over the goose nest, laying one of her own eggs in with the goose eggs so after our anniversary dinner at Barrata Bistro we stopped by to see the new arrivals.

So cute, I love baby geese. The bio parents are also standing by and I predict they will take over when the goslings are out and about.

Eagle Head Shot

At least one eagle is back after the fireworks, but not all, yet.

This guy grew up here. There are some of its juvenile photos on my website and it is the only eagle that continues to return to, and use the tree where this picture was taken. A great perch for my photos!

The Bridges of Bremerton

The bridges of Bremerton, connecting East Bremerton and West Bremerton. Manette Bridge in the front and then the Warren Avenue Bridge. Dyes Inlet in the background and Hood Canal in the far back.

Where's Abby at Point No Point?

Here is another of the aerial photos I took recently. They will be up on http://www.kitsapimages.com/ very soon now. I am just about done processing them.

This is Point No Point, with a medium tide taken from the north. You can see the lighthouse on the water just to the right of the sandy beach.

If you look up the beach, look very, very carefully, you'll see Jim and Abby on their daily walk. I didn't know I had them in the picture until I got home and we started to compare our timing. Jim was sure he was on the beach when I flew over so I took a closer look and there they were!

I'm sure you can't see them in this low resolution photo but trust me, two of those dots are Jim and Abby.

The Eagles are Silent this morning

I grew up going to big fireworks shows and loved it. Fireworks symbolized the 4th of July; the celebration of independence and freedom. I loved the loud booms and the beautiful showers of color and sparkles.

Living in Suquamish on the water we can see the fireworks from Seattle and along the beaches of Suquamish, Bainbridge Island and Indianola. When we first moved here we joined the fun and allowed fireworks on our beach to add to the celebration. Over time concern for fires and safety put an end to our personal show but we enjoyed those of others.

In the last few years the private shows along the Indianola waterfront have grown into a two night extravaganza rivaling those put on by some communities. The combined efforts of those along the small beach are beautiful and our view is spectacular. The best part is that once the show is over we are already home and don't need to fight the traffic.

My problem however is that the spectacle has grown beyond the casual family shows. Some serious money has changed the amateur feel of previous shows. The noise has grown louder and longer and the impact on animals in the area is traumatic. I can see the direct impact on our animals; especially Abby who quivers and seeks a corner to hide.

What happens to the eagles whose nests are at fireworks height? This is about the time that many young eagles fledge which means many are still in the nest and we have several nests in the immediate area. How do they handle the noise and flashes? I wonder about the other birds, the deer, fox and other animal inhabitants of the area that must feel there is no safe direction to go with fireworks everywhere.

The Suquamish Tribe, with many of their members earning a substantial portion of their income from firework sales, decided to eliminate fireworks on tribal property this year including the "slab" which had long been an open free for all on the 4th.

I have now moved to the other side, in favor of only controlled, professional fireworks.

Most of our local incorporated communities have eliminated private fireworks or limited them to the "safer" variety. It is time for Kitsap County to prohibit all, or all but the "safer" fireworks. The private shows have grown far beyond little family celebrations and the fires, noise and injuries don't outweigh the spectacle.

The eagles are silent this morning . . .

3rd of July

Pulling a crab pot in front of our house. Crab season is open and with the beautiful weather there were many taking advantage of the Friday holiday to catch their limit. Our boat - still in the boat tent - we need to get out on the water!

Heading home with their catch - flag flying! Or perhaps heading to Poulsbo for a crab feast and to see the 3rd of July fireworks.

The eagles kept an eye on the crabbers in case there was something for them. Actually they spent hours just sitting and preening and appearing to enjoy the day along with everyone else.

One of Bill Archer's Northwest Boat Rentals, electric boats out on the water in Poulsbo waiting for the 3rd of July fireworks traditional in Poulsbo. Mount Rainier in the background.

Bill has got to have one of the best views of the fireworks - we could see the raft just to the right of his house but Abby isn't fond of fireworks so we left the party long before they started but once home were entertained by the ever growing fireworks show from Indianola. Nothing beats sitting on our own deck and seeing the great show. Hard to imagine how they will top it tonight - the 4th - but I am sure they will.

Reflection on Bremerton

This reflection of the Hampton Inn and Suites and flower basket on the Bremerton waterfront looks like a painting in this reflection.