Kingston Ferry Terminal

Kingston Ferry Terminal

We met a relative at the Kingston Ferry earlier this week. Most of the time we pull up in our car, pay the piper, and wait in line to drive onto the ferry to go to Edmonds. This time we met a walk-on passenger and drove into the terminal parking lot for a different perspective – and much more interesting view as we waited for the ferry to arrive.

Just add hummingbirds

Hummer heaven

It looks like someone may be seeking a solution to the perennial problem of hummingbird-feeder-hogging. If you’ve ever had a feeder like one of these you know what I mean. One feisty hummer claims it and makes it his or her life’s work to chase off any other birds (or insects) that have the audacity to approach. If you’re tired of daytime television it can be quite entertaining.

I don’t know if this works. It might…as long as one pushy hummer tries to claim them all.

The long boat revisited

Long boat 1

A couple of weeks ago I showed you this boat under sail. It is a replica of one of the long boats that Captain George Vancouver’s crew used in the 1790s to explore our region. I saw it again, moored in Port Townsend, when I returned last week to look at the ancient anchor that may have come from this expedition. This is a more placid view of the boat which is used for Marine Education at the Northwest Maritime Center.

Long boat stern

It’s quite a lovely boat with a very sweet stern.

Long boat oars

Here’s a lesson in oars from DH, who pointed out these details to me: The big square part of the oars shown here is called the “loom.” It’s notable for its square form which is functional as a counter weight, making it easier to lift the blade of the oar out of the water during rowing. (Typical oars these days are more slender and tapered.) The leather on the oar relieves wear on it where it rides in the tholes, the slots you see above the sides (gunn’ls) of the boat. The tholes here are notable as this was the way oars were applied before the typical oar locks you see today. There. Now go out and impress someone with your extensive knowledge of oars!

Barn envy

Barn envy

I showed you this barn last March while it was under construction. I thought I’d show you an “after” picture since it has inspired me to a hefty dose of barn envy. As you can see, it’s big (oh, think of all the stuff you can do in there!). It has a nice room facing out with a southern exposure (it’s probably a tack room, but I’m thinking studio/sitting & reading room/perhaps guest quarters).There are solar panels. And probably my favorite is what looks like a winged brass pig weather vein on top. I’ll have to go back in better weather and get a closer view of that.

I don’t think the horses have moved in yet. At this point my imagination has certainly beaten them to it.

Avian “top gun”

Tree swallow

Tree swallows are among the earliest birds we’ve seen nesting around our neighborhood. They’re typically the first to move into our birdhouses and they won’t broach prior claims. Let’s just say they take what they want.

They are spectacular to watch in flight. I prefer not to overuse the word, but “awesome” really fits here. They hunt for flying insects and eat on the wing. The aerobatics are stunning for their speed and midair maneuvers. And those blue feathers you see above are beautifully iridescent as they catch the light.