Time to pack

My husband ate wild blackberries
while we hiked in the woods.


Each morning and evening I watched the Swans.


At sunset the Swallows flew over.

We had a morning ferry to catch.
We packed our bags and said our farewells.
It was time to travel home.

Hike to the Lagoon

The Great Blue Heron flew in while I was resting near the shore.

A River Otter swam and feed.

A small flock of Sandpipers flew in

I think this shore bird is a Phalarope.
Witty's Lagoon was a very busy place.

A day in the gardens

Anniversary Dinner

Sooke Harbour House Inn
has a remarkable restaurant.

They also have remarkable organic herb gardens.
From the gardens the chef picks edible flowers and herbs
to prepare creative gourmet meals.

We arrived early so we could tour the gardens.

Although I did not see any butterflies
I was pleased to see lots of bees.

Many of the perennial herbs here are annuals in my herb gardens.
I talked with one of the gardeners.
She and I talked about companion planting and climate change.
I asked about butterflies. She said many butterflies come to the gardens. She did not know the varieties.
Dinner was sublime.
Each course was beautifully presented. Our meal was nicely paced. We ate flowers.
I left full and inspired.

The Light House

Near our B&B
the oldest light house on the
Pacific Coast of British Columbia
still warns ships of danger.


I was looking for butterflies.

I saw skippers.

A Pine White flew onto my shoulder.
I gently moved her to a flower.
Back to our room.
It was time to dress for anniversary dinner.

A crane fly greeted me on the balcony.

Great Blue Heron

I spent many hours watching

the Great Blue Heron.

A solitary hunter and a magnificent bird with patience.

Indoor gardens

The butterfly garden we visited is a habitat for
birds and butterflies
that are native to the tropics.

Here seed and berry eating birds live with the butterflies.

The Common Glass Wing is a resident of Pacific rain forests.

The Flamingos stayed near the water.

The Tailed Jays are green and black. Perfect coloration for the sun dappled forest they are common in.
I think I need to plan a trip to the tropics.

Butterfly Gardens

We saw a sign for a butterfly garden.
We stopped and asked for directions.

This indoor garden is the one I had read about.
Right away a Leaf Mimic perched on my hat.

Even when I took my hat off the butterfly stayed.
I think it liked my hat.

This garden also was home for a few tropical birds.
The Ibis did not mind all the attention.

The Atlas Moth of Southeast Asia has the largest wing surface of any moth in the world. When the wings are closed they look like a snake's head.
As adults they do not feed; they attract mates with pheromones.
The Luna Moths in North America also are non-feeders as adults and attract their mates with pheromones.

Butterfly World

A Large Tree Nymph came onto my shoulder.
She walked around with me while I greeted the other wonders of the tropics.



The Doris Longwing reminded me of our Monarchs.

The Blue Morpho dazzled our eyes.

My husband was patient and waited for the Blue Morpho to open her wings.
I was chatting with the other jewels.
I was so happy to see these darlings.

Tropical Butterflies

We stopped at a Tropical Butterfly habitat.

The large Tree Nymphs

the Zebra Longwings,

the Postman

and the Orange Julia were a few of the tropical wonders we watched.

City of Totems

We took a drive on our second day in British Columbia.

We stopped in Duncan on our way to see tropical butterflies.

This small city celebrates the First Nations.

I too have an animal totem.

My trip reminded me to honour my Totem.
I am inspired to build a totem.

Swans

We were greeted at Birds of a Feather by a flock of
Mute Swans.

Sol Duc to Victoria

The Sol Duc Hot Springs resort is near the Sol Duc River.
Here the chinoock and coho salmon ascend the river to spawn.
We hiked through old growth forest and watched the Sol Duc waterfall.
I wondered how any fish would ever be able to leap these falls.

It was time to pack the car and head to Port Angeles. Our time in Olympic National forest was too short. I made plans to return.
We had reservations on the Coho Ferry.

After an hour and half ferry ride we arrived in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

We were on our way to Birds of a Feather, a bed and breakfast.
Here we nested for the next seven days.

Shore Birds

I need a field guide for Gulls.