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Wildlife Viewing at the
Columbia Beach House (Click on photos to
enlarge)
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 twice in spring of 2003. The first time was in our rowboat
looking back at the house. The second time was while we were eating our
oatmeal breakfast on the deck. 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.
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Friendly harbor seal swimming up to the boat in Possession Sound. Harbor seals and seal lions are very common in the area, but are usually a bit shy. |
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Bald eagle roosting beside Gedney (Hat) Island. Eagles are commonly seen flying over the beach house. |
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Gray whale diving just off Whidbey Island. They frequently detour into the area during their annual migration, April through June. |
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Harlequin ducks gathering on a rock at the south end of Whidbey. The area has lots of waterfowl. |
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Black Brants swimming in front of the Beach House |
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Brandt's Cormorants nesting in the Snohomish River delta. Cormorants are common in the area. |
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Nesting osprey in the Snohomish River delta. |
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Great blue heron coming in for a landing in front of the beach house |
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Common tern flying past Everett waterfront. Gulls and terns are not hard to find. |
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Start an adventure here with your kayaks. |
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Bald eagle in front of beach house, watching the passing ferries |
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There's lots of water to explore in your kayaks and other small boats. |
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Call
206-353-4813 or e-mail
us at Columbia@whidbeybeach.com.
We'll be glad to offer suggestions on the places to explore.
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