Friday, April 4, 2014

Spring Wildlife Abounds at Camano Island State Park

This majestic couple welcomed us to Camano Island State Park, as they survey their 173 acre park. Beauty meets beauty on high, overlooking the forest, the rocky beach, the Sound, views of Whidby island, and spectacular views of the Olympic mountains.

 
A sight to behold.
 
                                                                                                                         photo by Barb Schustek
A lone look out unintentionally poses for the camera while intently spying the water from this beach perch, perhaps looking for signs of a late afternoon dinner.  Originally the Snohomish Indian tribe had named Camano Island Kalutchin which translates as "land jutting into a bay".  There is lots of sea life, and we heard reports from locals of gray whales sightings, although they were not to be seen on our day.


                                                                                                  photo by Barb Schustek
Oh say can you see . . . . dinner yet?



Spring love at first sight.


Me and my shadow.



Enjoy 3 miles of beautiful, lush trails at Camano Island State Park. It's easy walking, so you can take in all your surroundings.  You'll wander through forests of madronas, firs, old growth Douglas firs, hemlock, spruce, maple and more.  This picture is on the lovely Al Emerson half mile Nature Trail.  It's named after Allen R. Emerson who was a devoted park ranger at Camano for 22 years from 1952-1973.


The park is filled with flowers, we even saw some early this spring, foxglove, english daisies, rhododendron, and more.


Shhhh!  Sleeping deer, right beside our trail.


Sleeping beauty


You'll be treated to lots of sightings of different wildlife, and birdlife at Camano. 
Swimming flock.




Throughout the forest we heard echos of owls' songs, but were never able to catch them on camera. Their pretty song harmonized with other birds we heard, and the periodic eagle calls. I encourage you to attend the wildlife symphony near you and spring into a park near you. 

With some liberty, Robert Frost - "two trails diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled, and that has made all the difference."

I especially hope you're lucky enough to visit Camano Island State Park.

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