whales, whales, whales.....eagles, eagles, eagles

Yesterday, went on an Audubon tour up to Bridget Cove in Berner's Bay. The herring were in and there was a lot of wildlife activity. Last week the Eulachon (called hooligan locally) were in the bay. We saw sea lions, humpback whales lunge feeding and 4 dozen or so eagles on the rocks and trees at Point Bridget. Were told that a lot of eagles is a "Congress" and a few are a "council". I think 4 dozen is probably a congress of eagles. I haven't been able to verify these group names with a Google search. Lunge feeding is exciting to watch as the whales erupt from the water, mouth open, and water and fish spilling out. I had seen them do that before right here in my harbor, but did not know it was called lunge feeding.

On the boat ride out there we stopped for several minutes and watched two whales sleeping. They seemed to be floating near the surface and every few minuties would breathe and blow. I had never seen that before. It was awesome! Was told one half of the whale brain sleeps and the other half reminds it to breathe.

On the boat ride back we stopped at one of the islands where there are often oyster-catchers and yes, we did get to see one sitting on a rock. Also, watched an eagle fly into a nest on same island. Eagles have lain eggs by this time and spend time sitting. Eggs hatch about June.

Home again, home again..........

Arrived in Juneau 5:30 this morning. Slowly settling in at home after dinner with a friend. The ferry ride from Bellingham was restful. Met a couple from Florida on their way to Denali to work there for the summer.

I got to see Avatar! It was shown on the ferry during one of our open-water crossings. There was more ocean-motion than usual so reclining and watching a movie was a good thing to do at that time. And.............I had been wanting to see it. Made me want to bond with a "dragon" and go for a ride.

The snow is gone beside the highway and at my house. The ground is covered in dry leaves and broken branches are strewn about. A gentle raking will make it pretty and parklike again. I still see snow on the mountain tops and don't know if the sea level trails are clear back in the woods. My rhubarb is growing and has bright red stems about a foot tall. Should be ready to pick soon. Devil's Club has new shoots. Trees are beginning to show new leaves. I saw two deer today, a weasel humpity-humping across the road and an eagle perched 30 feet away at my neighbors.

Tomorrow, I go shopping to restock the fridge. My calendar is beginning to fill. Thursday, will meet with Ravenstail weavers and catch up on winter happenings. Saturday, will go on a tour sponsored by Audubon that will take us north into Berner's Bay. Hopefully, the herring will be in and we will see many whales, sea lions and rafts of birds.

Learned about a new website: www.alaskahumpbacks.org This website has pictures of the tail flukes of many of the humpback whales that reside in Southeast Alaska. These whales have been studied and photographed for years. I think there are pictures of over 1900 whales on this site. The site has been established to help us learn more about the whales and also as a way for people to publish photos of whales not listed before. I think the site said there is a local population of humpback whales that numbers about 5000. Check it out, I think you will like it.

Alice in Wonderland 3D

Went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D for second time tonight. First was in Oxnard and I enjoyed it even more second time around as I could was more special effects. Did duck my head a few times and Johnny Depp was Wonderful as the Mad Hatter.

Celebrating a late holiday season with son. Stockings are hung and we have presents around our pretend tree made from a poinsettia -print tote bag. Presents will be opened Friday.

Friend JG and I went to see the Santiam Quilters annual show in Gates, Oregon. Always amazes me how many new quilts are made each year around this tiny community. Must be hundreds on display.

Spring has arrived in Portland and the streets and sidewalks are strewn with pink petals. A lot of flowers are in bloom and the weather warm.

Back in the US of A

Crossed the border at Otay-Mesa March 19. Drove on to Chula Vista KOA to spend the night and do laundry.

Next day to Los Angeles to spend time with cousins and auntie. One of my cousins is heading to Kathmandu and will be climbing Mt. Everest. The Discovery Channel did a special about climbing Everest and I would like to buy the DVD's of that show. Did get to watch a couple episodes. If interested in following news of an expedition go to the www.himex.com website and look for the expedition leaving March 29th, 2010.

Am now visiting in Oxnard.

Will head on "up the hill" Sunday or Monday via Sparks, NV and Bend, OR and Portland, OR

Driving North to Otay Border Crossing

The drive north has been gorgeous. The desert is even greener than what I had mentioned before. The boojum have so many teeny tiny leaves you cannot see the trunk. And the boojum are a dark dark green...............perhaps you would call it a "forest green". Parts of the desert were carpeted with purple and yellow flowers. If I were to pull a crayola from my childhood box I would choose heliatrope and canary yellow for the carpet I saw.

Am now at Estero Beach just south of Ensenada and will cross the border tomorrow.

This will be my first experience going thru US customs at the Mexican border with the RV. The military checkpoints have been fine. They usually come in and look around, but don't tear things apart. We usually chat about my dog.............his name..........his age..........does he bite?.....things like that.

Am travelling with 3 other RVs and a leader. This will be our last night together and will have dinner at the hotel here. It is a beautiful hotel and park on an estuary.

Signing off for now

Santispac Beach....Another Blast from the Past

Another "Blast from the Past"........................Santispac Beach is just south of Mulege on the Bay of Concepcion and.........saturday night on Santispac Beach at the palapa restaurant there is filled with music and dancing reminiscent of THE TIDES in Juneau during the early 70's. Gringos come from beaches all around to be there on a Saturday night. What fun! We danced and danced and danced.

Ladies Birthday Luncheon for March

42 ladies gathered at Celito Lindo for a buffet lunch today. There was a St. Patrick's Day theme, good food and trivia questions. The three of us with a March birthday cut and served the cake.

Wind blowing hard today and fishers keeping their boat at harbor.

Chet stood face into the wind on the beach and he looked like he was running fast with his ears and long hair blowing backwards.

Two friends just arrived from Los Barriles where they spent the winter. We came to Baja together and will go back together beginning 16 March. I leave tomorrow or Saturday for the Bay of Concepcion for a couple days of beach camping.

I may be offline until after crossing into the US. I will cross over March 19th and head for a campspot and go to Los Angeles on the 20th for my 1st stop visiting on the way North.