Hoypus Point Sunset, Deception Pass

It is during this time of the year the sun sets under Deception Pass Bridge, as seen from Hoypus Point. 

Each night is a new vision.

Below is another night, showing how the scenes can be so different, one evening to the next.  Mark your calendar for September 16 or so, when photographers will begin their nightly gathering at Hoypus Point for stunning sunsets.

Fort Casey, Eagles, Ebey's Prairie

We trekked over to Fort Casey this morning, hoping to catch the USS Lincoln come through the strait.  There were about a dozen of us who waited a couple hours only to find it had gone through a little after sunrise, about three hours ahead of "schedule."


We did have fun seeing the huge eagles flying around.  It seemed as if this big one was waiting for the boat, too.

We even caught a golden eagle taking a dip at Camp Casey.







Every day is a beautiful day on Whidbey Island, especially when you have views like this one of the Ebey Historic Reserve.

Hoypus Head Hike, Deception Pass State Park

Around the spring and fall equinox the sun sets nicely under the Deception Pass Bridge as seen from the Hoypus Trail.  One can drive to Cornet Bay, opposite the entrance to Deception Pass State Park.  At the very end of the parking lot is a closed road.  About a quarter of a mile down the road is the favorite spot for photographers.

Even though it has been cloudy, I decided to hike out in that area.  This is the scene to the west from the viewing area (bench).

Near to this area, a trail heads east and up.  The trail is a gradual incline and then levels out.
The hike is beautiful.

I kept looking for an opening in the trees to spot the bridge, but there was none. 
The hike, while short, is entirely in the forest.

That forest hike ended at the north side of Hoypus Head, meeting the old road.  I went to the end of that road, to the old ferry landing.  The ferry took residents to Fidalgo Island before the bridge was built in 1935.

Heading back to the Cornet Bay parking lot via what remains of the paved road, I caught various scenes of the bridge.  Pilots from NAS Whidbey were flying (upper left).

As the road heads west and south, the view changes.

The hike along the road is almost level and is well worth the time.  Even on an overcast day the views were wonderful.

The skunk cabbage even made an appearance.

Oak Harbor Downtown

Oak Harbor is in the process of a remodel.  The west section of the downtown main street in totally torn up.  The scene is not too welcoming right now.


There has been some concern that this process will greatly hurt the downtown merchants.  Here it is evident that two downtown buildings are empty and available for sale.  Olny time will tell the final impact of the construction.

Signs of Spring

We have had a soggy winter with above average rainfall.  Finally there are signs of spring.  The watering hose reminded me that, yes, there will be a time when we will have to water our flowers.

Cabbage, Coupeville, Whidbey Island

These fields, near Coupeville, provide interesting curves.

Stormy Salish Sea

I drove over to the Coupeville (Keystone) ferry dock, hoping to get a shot of the new ferry servicing the run.  The ferry run had been cancelled due to the high winds.  I watched a tug and barge, marking its progress against a near piling.  They literally went backwards, driven by the strong wind.  Then this freighter appeared.  Unlike the tug, the freighter was going with the wind and made great progress in the choppy sea. 

Ebey Historic Reserve, Whidbey Island

Even on a stormy day (notice the white caps on the water) the Ebey Prairie shares its beauty.  In the distance, just under the treeline, is the Ebey Trail.  It is a level trail that goes from Sunnyside Cemetery to the Ebey Bluff.  I blogged views from that trail a couple of weeks ago.  Even with the wet winter farmers are getting their land ready.