On the ferry in Seattle
Hiking
On the ferry to Victoria, BC. We were enveloped in spooky fog for almost the entire journey. Cool, at last!
We arrived just in time for the Symphony Splash, a concert held in the harbor on a barge.
Butchart Gardens
The elusive Mossy Owl
We were marveling at the spiny Monkey Puzzle Tree when my friend said that there was no way a bird could ever nest in there.
Not 30 seconds later, cheeping was heard from the spiky thicket! Guess this house finch was determined to find a safe nesting site.
The ferry ride back to Washington was also interesting. We saw loads of whale boats grouping up and saw with the long lens that they were on some whales. We later found out that they were humpback whales!
We also noticed a strange mirage effect that appeared like a mirror image. Everyone out on deck was marveling at the upside down lighthouses. Found out later it is called Fata Morgana and is associated with the legend of the Flying Dutchman! It was pretty cool looking.
Back home, tree frogs have been reveling in the heat and rain!
Is it fall yet???