Sunday Ride

Sunday ride with my friend brought out some beautiful photogenic moments. 

A Clucking Good Time!

Who would have thought that taking a nice leisurely ride this weekend for eagle  watching would land us in a Chicken Parade?  As serendipity would have it, we arrived 30 minutes prior to when the big clucks were about to convene down the main street of Edison, Washington.

This chicken was on a mission!

Edison’s population is a whopping  135.  It was named after (you got it) the great inventor Thomas Edison.  The town had decided about four years ago to have their parade in conjunction with the winter hawk count.  This area is known for their bird habitat because of the second largest river in the area called the Skagit River.  It is a flat open delta which attracts birds of all kind.  In fact the count since started in 1989 has been close to 12,000!

The parade has begun!

We decided to stay  because I wondered how the heck could anyone make chickens walk in a parade.  We noticed the town’s two block street was filling up  quickly with folks lined up on both sides of the little road anxiously awaiting the guests of honors. People dressed up in chicken outfits began their reconnaissance mission of making sure the street was ready for all the excitement.  Even dogs were invited for the big day.

Our Dog Stanny was a little nervous to say the least. He just didn’t understand why their was such a fuss about something that he could “gobble” down with one chomp!

 

Blue the Chihuahua watched very intently as the excitement passed him. He could hardly contain himself…Can you tell?

At approximately 12 noon the parade began.  By 1210 pm it was all done!  It was the greatest 10 minutes of my afternoon too.  To be involved in the great annual chicken parade is hard to describe.  I guess my pictures will have to do the talking, but I was real glad we made it even if it was a complete surprise!

Happy Cluckers to all of my readers!

 

Acres Of Inspiration

What did he just say?

“I am thinking of going into Agriculture.”

The back roads of Skagit Valley were enjoyed by my older son and myself on a slow paced day of gorgeous farmlands!

“What do you mean becoming a farmer?” Knowing all too well that my son had all ready given me 20 other occupations he had been investigating at the university. This time he sounded really serious.

As we finished our conversation I felt a twinge of excitement living vicariously through my son’s ideas and potential future career path.  After all hunting, searching,  and hoping are just the beginning as we progress though life and its many decisions.

The Great Blue Heron shows itself with its rather large and lanky body.

The Great Blue Heron utilizes its knife like bill to capture fish to eat.

Our conversation was two days ago and I could not help to think about it as I decided to take a day trip to Padilla Bay Reserve.  The weather was perfect and I knew it would be a beautiful drive on the back roads of the Skagit Valley here in Washington State.  There was much to see in the wetlands including up to 55,000 migrating birds!

The Trumpeter Swan are found often with mates.

Agriculture is a major component of these parts of our state from small organic gardens too much larger farms.  Follow me though the back roads just north of Seattle and see all the possibilities. Exploring these acres of inspiration brought to mind  that it is good to see countryside preserved.  Thinking that my son may be interested in being a part of a movement in his generation to roll up his sleeves and keep our lands protected made me awful proud.

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The slow paced drive through the farmlands of Skagit Valley are eye candy to the nature and wildlife enthusiast.