It rained non-stop from Thursday afternoon, until Saturday morning, when I was able to get out in my kayak and look for photo ops. 

I didn’t expect to find much, since I hadn’t seen anything but a couple of murrelets since we’d been here.  So, when I spotted some seagulls on some nearby rocks I decided to take a couple of shots, just in case I didn’t find anything else.

 

 

 

 

Then, I set out for the lagoon at the north end of the inlet. 

Al had assured me that there weren’t any rapids at the entrance, and he said all the birds are probably hanging out in the lagoon.  So, I headed through the narrow opening checking the shoreline for any swift currents.  Everything looked fine until I came to a rock about mid-channel, where I spotted a pretty mean looking whirlpool.  I quick reversed course and paddled like crazy until I got out of the strong current.  So much for Al’s “local knowledge”.

On to Plan “B”.  I paddled along the east shore headed for the south lagoon, when a couple of little birds flew overhead and landed not too far from me, near a small rock in the middle of the inlet, where seals like to hang out.  I got my camera out and zoomed in to see what the birds were.  To my delight, they were harlequin ducks!  I was pretty far away, but with 100X zoom I was able to get these photos of one of my favorite birds.

 

 

 

 

Not too far from the harlequins, I spotted this pair of loons.

 

 

When I got to the south lagoon, I found that the Indians have strung a net clear across the entrance, so I had to go to Plan “C”.  Last year I’d found a whole flock of harlequins just outside the entrance to Kwakume, so that’s where I headed.

Looking outside, through the entrance to Kwakume, I spotted this tug towing a huge barge, stacked with colorful containers.

 

 

 

 

And, just outside the entrance, where I’d found them last year, there was a big flock of harlequins preening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I looked up and saw the big ferry, “Columbia”, headed north up Fitz Hugh Sound, I  decided I’d better duck back inside Kwakume before I got bounced around in her wake.

 

 

 

By the time I got back to the boat, the wind had picked up and it had started raining.  Good thing I got an early start this morning.