Possession Sound, between Whidbey Island and the mainland, offers many opportunities for wildlife viewing. All of the pictures below were taken from a kayak within 6 miles of this beach house (easy kayaking range). Bring your kayak, canoe or other boat along, and enjoy! Small boats can be easily hand launched from the beach.
If marine mammals are your thing, we have seen harbor seals, California sea lions, a Stellar sea lion (fairly sure), gray whales, Dahl's porpoises and orcas, all in Possession Sound. We have seen gray whales within 100 yards of the house. We have had sea lions surface and dive within 2 feet of our rowboat next to the house. We have watched a mother and very young baby harbor seal swimming together. Our house isn't the wilderness, but for the observant visitor, there is a lot to see.
Wildlife viewing in the cool months is even better than the summer. With fewer people around you will see lots of birds and seals. Loons, grebes, herons, cormorants, pigeon guillemots and eagles are very common as well as gulls and various shore birds.
 |
 |
Harbor seals and seal lions are very common in the area, but are usually a bit shy. |
Bald eagle roosting by Gedney (Hat) Island. Eagles are often seen flying over the beach house. |
 |
 |
Gray whale diving off Whidbey Island. They frequently detour into the area during their annual migration, April through June. |
Harlequin ducks gathering on a rock at the south end of Whidbey. The area has lots of waterfowl. |
 |
 |
Black Brants swimming in front of the Beach House. |
Brandt's Cormorants nesting in the Snohomish River delta. Cormorants are common here. |
 |
 |
Nesting osprey in the Snohomish River delta. |
Great blue heron coming in for a landing in front of the beach house. |
 |
 |
Common tern flying past Everett water- front. Gulls and terns are not hard to find. |
Start an adventure here with your kayaks. |
 |
|
There's lots of water to explore in your kayaks and other small boats. |