Harlequin Ducks near Trial Island.
Stunning Mt. Baker (3,285 meters; 10,778 feet) is an ice-clad volcano in the North Cascades of Washington State about 50 kilometers (31 miles) due east of the city of Bellingham. After Mount Rainier, it is the most heavily glaciated of the Cascade volcanoes: the volume of snow and ice on Mount Baker (about 1.8 cubic kilometers; 0.43 cubic miles) is greater than that of all the other Cascades volcanoes (except Rainier) combined. Isolated ridges of lava and hydrothermally altered rock, especially in the area of Sherman Crater, are exposed between glaciers on the upper flanks of the volcano: the lower flanks are steep and heavily vegetated. The volcano rests on a foundation of non-volcanic rocks in a region that is largely non-volcanic in origin.
Bald Eagle Nest
Steller & California Sealions. In the picture above you can see 2 Sealions with numbers on their body that are used for I.D. purposes. I have sent this picture to Ron Bates, Marine Mammal Researcher.
With a full boat of intrepid explorers, we set out on Fastcat at 2.00pm in search of the wonders that the Salish sea has to offer!
We were not to be disappointed as shortly after leaving Victoria Harbor we sighted a Bald Eagle nest. Next near Haystack we saw several Harbor Seals both on the rocks and in the water.
Then we ventured over to Race Rocks where we saw several Steller and California Sealions, Elephant Seals and Harbor Seals. We also saw Surf Scoters, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres and even a Pigeon Guillemot.
As we headed over to the Chain Islands the sun was shining on Mt. Baker making it look stunning with its fresh layer of snow. At the Chain Islands we saw several Cormorants, Harlequin Ducks, and several Harbor Seals. Then Cpt. Trev noticed an Eagle nearby and so we went for a closer look.
On our way home we stopped at Trial Island and saw more Harbor Seals and several Harlequin Ducks. It had been another spectacular day on the water!
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