We went to Fort Flagler State Park last week. This scene on Marrowstone Island greeted us. Taken in the tiny town of Nordland, the view is of Mystery Bay.
Author: Kay
In season: birds
There’s lots to like these days if you’re a birdwatcher. Here’s an American goldfinch that stopped by the bachelor buttons in my garden the other day. It’s one of the most colorful of a nice array of summer visitors.
Local history
In May, 1792 English Captain George Vancouver led an expedition with the yawl Discovery and cutter Chatham through the region now known as Puget Sound. He and his men were the first Europeans to explore the area and in the course of charting the waters names of his crew were affixed to local landmarks.
Vancouver’s crew used longboats for many of their voyages and two replicas are currently used by the Northwest Maritime Center in youth leadership and maritime training programs. Shown under sail, these boats also have eight rowing stations.
On Monday of this week divers retrieved off the coast of Whitbey Island an anchor they contend was one lost by the Chatham during the 1792 expedition. In several weeks it will be sent to Texas A&M University for verification of its age. Until then it will be on display at the Maritime Center. I hope to take a look at it before it goes. Stay tuned!
In season: long days
It’s not yet the longest day of the year but it’s presently bright enough outside to walk around before 5 a.m. and still see where you’re going at 10 p.m.
In season: haying
Grasses are tall and the weather’s been right for haying. Farmers have been working dawn to dusk to, well, make hay while the sun shines. This time of year you can see all manner of equipment in fields as the hay is cut, furrowed into rows, baled, and then hauled away. The unit above is one of those you can see this time of year at work and driving on the road. It doesn’t look like more familiar farm equipment. And I couldn’t quite figure it out by just looking at it so I stopped the other day to see how it’s put to work.
This unit comes onto the field after the hay’s been baled. The triangular unit at the front right scoops up each bale and feeds it behind the cab. I think there might be a short conveyor. One by one the bales land on the large platform behind the cab.
Once the platform is full the whole unit is raised until it’s vertical.
The bales are then pressed into a stack and pushed back to join a growing cargo of hay bales. Pretty cool, no? The whole operation is interesting to watch and now, of course, I’m curious to see how a load is removed at the other end. Perhaps another day.
In season: strawberries
The eagerly-awaited signs are up on the road announcing that strawberries are ready to pick and the true believers were at work yesterday at Cameron’s. This group picked the goods for the Strawberry Jam Queen — hidden behind the man in shorts — 36 pounds of big, plump berries, destined for “outrageously delicious” homemade jam.
It’s a wonderful pastime for pickers of all ages and the rewards are heavenly. At $1.75 a pound it’s a good deal on delicious fruit and a great way for kids to learn where food comes from.
Though the field is sheltered by trees, there’s still a nice view of the Olympic Mountains in the background.
All the comforts
I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth but I admit this little picnic spot didn’t inspire me to pull out the tablecloth and food basket. The irony is that the beyond the berm behind this table is a beautiful bluff and gorgeous water views.