Fidalgo Island Crossings

In a previous post , I spoke of the Red Rock Quarry next to the new John Tursi Trail as a source of stone for Causland Memorial Park.  This is Causland Memorial Park in Anacortes, Washington. Originally, the park was built as a memorial to World War I veterans from Anacortes.  Later memorials were added for World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.  The park is named for Harry Leon Causland, "one of the one hundred immortals D.S.C. 6795."  He received the Distinguished Service Cross for actions in France that resulted in his death.  Fourteen others from Fidalgo, Guemes, Decatur and Cypress Islands are also named in the memorial.  The park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places . On the day I visited, the flag was at half staff in recognition of the Orlando, Florida nightclub slayings. What makes Causland Park unique are the colored stone mosaics that decorate the bandstand and surrounding wall.  The source of the stone...

Over the last few days, I have been taking test shots with the new Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II camera.  I have been trying to get the hang of it and learn what I can expect from this little pocket camera.  As it turned out, many of the photos had some interesting skies.  This is Skagit Bay, my usual Skywatch shot this afternoon. Anacortes, Washington from the Cap Sante headland yesterday. Anacortes, Washington from the Cap Sante headland yesterday. Skagit Bay at sunset a week ago, testing low light performance. Skagit Bay at sunset a week ago, testing low light performance.  Kiket Island is catching the last rays of sunlight. From this morning, this is Kiket Island in Skagit Bay with its connecting tombolo in the Kukutali Preserve.  The Preserve is owned and managed jointly by Washington State Parks and the Swinomish Tribal Community.  Kiket Island is a traditional site of seasonal food gathering for the Swinomish. Skagit I...

A brand new hiking trail is now open on Fidalgo Island.   The John Tursi Trail (.pdf) connects Campbell Lake with the Ginnett Hill summit in Deception Pass State Park.  I hiked this trail last week, and I have to say, it was a real adventure.  The new trail makes it possible to hike between Pass Lake in the park and Campbell Lake, about 2.5 miles/4 km altogether.  For this first hike, I just walked the 1.1 mile stretch from Donnell Road to Ginnett and back. Be aware and respectful that the Donnell Road trailhead is on private property.  Find it at the end of the road, on the right, just before the obvious "Private Property" signs.  Also, you may not park on Donnell Road.  Use the paved parking strip at the intersection of Campbell Lake Road, Heart Lake Road and Sharpe Road.  It will then be about a half mile walk to the trailhead. John Tursi in 2010, Skagit Land Trust photo, by permission The trail honors the legacy of John Tursi ....

I'll begin with a mystery.  On a hike in the Kukutali Preserve , I couldn't help but notice all the daisies blooming along the road.  A dark object on one of them caught my eye.  Looking closer, I knew I should get a photo of it.  I figured out it was a Harvestman , but I don't know what kind. Another name for them is "Daddy Longlegs," but this is like no Daddy Longlegs I have ever seen.  Wikipedia says, "typical body length does not exceed 7 millimeters (0.28 in)."  This one was at least twice that size.  I do get the delicate little Daddy Longlegs in my house.  They seem to like my shower.  My house guests, however, have tiny bodies that are under a quarter inch long.  Perhaps Kiket Island grows them extra large and robust.  I would enjoy hearing from anyone who can provide more information about this big guy. Harvestmen are arachnids like spiders and scorpions, but of a different order, Opiliones.  They have eight leg...