Passageway~~~~theme day~~~Mosaic Monday

The theme for March 1st 2010 is Passageway.

Passageway:
Corridor. a path, a channel or duct, through, over or along which something can pass.

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Whatcom Falls Park

The waterfall at Whatcom Falls Park

Snow Geese`~~~~~~~They're still here

These are Snow Geese that winter over in the Skagit and Stilly Valleys. The farmers would like them to go home to the Northern Tundra soon. because of the mild winter we have been having the grass is growing and the Geese love the new shoots. the farmers will lose their first cutting of silage for the cows if the birdies don't go bye bye.




But they're still here. MB

A touch of Blue~~~~~~~~Sky Watch

I took this around noon today in Stanwood. The day was a nice day--meaning it didn't rain. MB

To see more skies from around the world or to participate go to www.skyley.blogspot.com

Apparently blogger thinks I did my Penance well enough to allow me tp upload pics again. Oowweee!

What???

For some reason blogger will not let me upload any pictures. I will try later on. MB

Valley color and another Eagle

The Skagit Valley is beginning to color up. First will be the Daffodils and next the bajillion Tulips and then the sweet Pacific Iris.
Roozengaard and Washington Bulb Companys, the Roozen's business of growing bulbs (Daffs--tulips--iris) is the largest in the world.
I will show more pictures when the Tulips are up in about 2-3 weeks. MB



I was up at Mount Vernon today and saw these colorful plants.



I love this picture. I got right under the tree where this one was and he just looked down on me. He is his own eagle. MB

Mr. and Mrs. at home

The Boys....

The Blues Brothers are chillin' on the deck in Langley, Whidbey Island
My Mother lives in Langly by the Sea on whidbey---it is a very special artist colony. So of course we would expect to see the Blues Brothers.

Cracking color....

Here are a few of the plants I have that are budding out. I took the pictures today.
1 & 2.. My Saucer Magnolia
some Daffs and Crocus
And my 'GoldenHeart' Bleeding Heart. It is just coming out of the ground and I can hardly wait. MB

The road to Semiahmoo Spit

A sweeping gaze from the Semiahmoo Spit takes in two countries, two mountain ranges, two bodies of water and the varied vessels that ply these Northern sound waters.

The full distance of this land finger is marked by a paved walking path, with natural grasslands flanking both sides. Shallow driftwood beaches rise up on either margin and lone tree snags stand watch to the comings and goings. The full mile of path can be strolled in a half hour, unless your stick-chasing dog slows you at water’s edge. Bring your kayak for a flat paddle within the protected harbor or venture out into the chop of open bay waters. Bicycling is plentiful with some thigh burning hills close by or the welcomed flat lands of the spit’s parkway.

Whatcom County’s first salmon cannery was built on the Semiahmoo Spit in 1881. Ten years later, operating as the Alaska Packers Association, it was the largest of its kind in the world. A vestige of the cannery remains there today in company with the posh grounds of the Inn at Semiahmoo

Cresent moon for Sky Watch

Took these pictures last night. My Mother says if the cresent moon is tipping up then no water can spill out and we will have no rain. So far so good. You can see the moon in the early evening sky.

To see sky pics from all over the world go to: www.skyley.blogspot.com

Enjoy!!
MB

Fun on Chuckanut Bay

I took this on Sunday and while these people are having fun and it was a sunny day---I just bet that water was cold. Salt water coming from the Pacific is always cold even in the summer. MB

Checking out the Honeymoon suite

Every Spring a pair of Canada Geese stay at the pond and raise their family and then say goodbye in June.
Sunday a pair came walking across the pasture to check out the pond and seemed happy but then some others showed up too. They chased the interlopers away and then stayed for 2 days and they are gone now. I think they will be back when it is time. MB






This is last years family. Momma lost her mate and had to raise her brood by herself but I noticed before she flew off another male was staying around. We called him Uncle Feathers.

Peace Arch entrance to the 2010 Olympics

The Peace Arch stands on the international boundary between Blaine, Washington, and Douglas, British Columbia. The Arch was constructed to commemorate the centennial (1814-1914) of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814. The Treaty of Ghent ended the war of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, a conflict that was waged in North America and involved Canadians, as well as Americans and British.

In 1914, the international fund-raising efforts for the Arch were spearheaded by Samuel Hill, famed Washington State lawyer, financier, road builder and humanitarian, who later dedicated it on September 6, 1921. The Arch's design was donated by H.W. Corbett of London, England, an internationally known architect. Automobile clubs in Washington State and British Columbia contributed time and money. Construction began under an international force of volunteers in 1920.

Standing 67 feet high, the Peace Arch is made of concrete and reinforced steel. Its foundation consists of 76 fourteen inch pilings driven 25-30 feet into the earth. The Arch was said to be one of the first structures in North America constructed to be earthquake proof.

The 3500 sacks of concrete for the Arch's foot walls were donated by R.P. Butchart, of Victoria, British Columbia's Butchart Garden's fame; and 50 tons of steel were donated by E.H. Gary of New York. Originally, 470 lights were "artistically set" up and down the massive pilasters and along the interior frieze of the Arch.

The American side of the Arch is inscribed with the words
"Children of a Common Mother;" the Canadian side, with the words "Brethren Dwelling together in Unity." Within the portal of the Arch on the west side are the words "1814 Open One Hundred Years 1914" and on the east side, "May These Gates Never Be Closed."

Two bronze plaques are placed above the exterior foot walls of the Arch. One is of the Canadian steamship the Beaver; the other of the Mayflower. Wooden relics, allegedly cut from each ship, were sealed behind each plaque when the Arch was dedicated in 1921.

Over 500,000 visitors tour this international historic site annually.
The International Peace Arch is one of the few landmarks in the world listed on the National Historic Registries of two different countries

The last picture is of part of Vancouver BC from the city of Blaine.

Blaine, Wa. is known as 'The Gateway to the Peace Arch' and is 68 miles from my house.

This is the border between US and Canada.

Lummi Nation totems

This Totem Pole was carved by Master Carver Morrie Alexander. The Totem now rests at Semiahoo Park.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.




Morrie Alexander Lummi Nation Master Carver (file photo)

These are Totems on the Lummi Nation Reservation. I tried but couldn't find any info about the Totems.
We are Lummi. We are Coast Salish people with a rich history, culture and traditions. We are fishers, hunters, gatherers, and harvesters of nature's abundance. We envision our homeland as a place where we enjoy an abundant, safe, and healthy life in mind, body, society, environment, space, time and spirituality; where all are encouraged to succeed and none are left behind.

Tolo

Saturday Night--Tolo Dance--The girls ask the boys to the dance.
So Kylee and her girlfriends descended upon my house around 4:30 to spend 1 and 1/2 hours in the bathroom--curling hair, putting on make-up---critique-ing one another and finally changing into THE dresses. The boys show up and wait for an hour--talking, joking, pushing, yawning and being good sports. Finally the girls emerge and everyone laughs and smile and I insist on pictures. They look all grown up.
1.Kylee and friend
2. The group

Courting

Don't forget to click on pic to enlarge it.

The last good sunset.........

I took this shot a couple of days ago on the road above downtown Stanwood. Since then we have had nothing but iffy weather. Gray skies, rain and some sun breaks. And it's chilly too. MB


To see more skies from all over the world or to participate go to www.skyley.com

SKY wATCH FRIDAY