Eating our tea last night on the balcony we were stared at by this fellow

Rain forecast today but not till later so decided to go to the two waterfalls. Got into Parksville and the heavens opened but had stopped by the time we got to Little Qualicum Falls.  Beautiful to walk along the river and to see both upper and lower falls.

Wouldn’t have wanted to be there when that tree fell over.

Then off to Englishman River Falls. Just as beautiful.

Got back in the car and the heavens opened again but dried up by the time we got home.

Coffee and then off to Beachcomber to see if there was anything happening. Not much!

Sat on the balcony.

Heard lots of noise and eventually located where it was coming from

What a change in the weather today. Forecast said cloudy and it was quite a strong breeze but got warmer and sunnier during the day.

Our first stop was to Rathtrevor beach as I was determined to capture some pics without standing under a shower! Finally got to see the Mummy Starling taking food into her babes. They must still be too small to poke their heads out.

Next we were off to Englishman River estuary.

Now off to Little Qualicum river fish hatchery.

Finished the day off doing a shop in Thrifty’s and now home on the balcony listening to a bald Eagle shouting. Perfect end to the day.

Funny old day. Rain forecast but wasn’t raining until we got in the car so carried on to the Lighthouse Trail. Just spitting as we started off and mostly under trees so not a problem. Unfortunately when I tried to take a picture I found I’d forgotten to put the memory card back in last night. Very frustrating but at least we all have camera phones now. Nice flat walk with not many tree roots which made a nice change. Half way along I heard a bird shouting for food and eventually caught sight of it – a baby barred owl !! It then flew off to sit beside it’s sibling. Very sad I didn’t have my camera so pics not that good but lovely to see them.

Back to the car and off to the Little Qualicum River Fish Hatchery. This trail very different. Up, down, winding and Paul had forgotten his machete! Another thing to add to the list of things I have to remind him about:- wallet, hearing aids, hankies, car key, machete. We made it through though!

Then it was another decision. Go home or try the Little Qualicum Fish Hatchery trail. The weather decided it for us as it started to pour. Home and a nice cup of coffee. The sun then showed it’s face so with card in camera got in car again only for it to start to rain. Perhaps it’s only a light shower and will stop before we get to Rathtrevor Beach?  Not too bad as we arrived and I really wanted to see if there were any babies in the nests. It just got heavier and heavier but I did see one of the nests being used by a Flicker but the babies are obviously too small to be looking out.  We know where to look if the sun comes out again!

By now it was bucketing down again so home for tea.

Looked like it wouldn’t rain till later so time for a visit to Protection Island just off Nanaimo.

And  now some birds

And a few of a Pileated Woodpecker

As we were heading down to the Dinghy Dock pub for lunch spotted this fella digging for his lunch.

Then coffee in the harbour before tea and cake with Jeannie and then home before the rain.

As the weather was looking good decided to have an outing to Sidney. This involved an early start (early for me any way). Hour and a half drive down to Mill Bay to catch the ferryWe we’re there early so watched this fella fishing for a while.

Views on the 25 minute crossing

Quick look around the shops.

Then back to the car and back to the ferry

Another long drive home but made more bearable by seeing these two

Glad to be home tonight.

Weather looking good so after some housework (changing the bed – not my favourite job at the best of times) we drove up to Rosewall Creek to see how much more the river bank had eroded. Not too much but with all the rain we did have to wade  across a couple of spots.

Finally caught sight of a Kingfisher. Sorry about the pic – over a main road!

Next off to Lighthouse trail

Did see some Hummingbirds but far too quick for me to photograph.

Then off to Lefties for tea.

Weather’s looking good for tomorrow so maybe we’ll get to Sydney.

Busy day today. First off we went on a float plane flight paid for by our wonderful children and their partners. Weather much better so the islands looked beautiful.

A few of the views

Coffee to recover and then off to Buttertub Marsh Bird Sanctuary

Still lovely weather so popped into Beachcomber. Only Mum sitting on the nest although Dad did do a flyby.

Our last stop of the day was French Creek. We were going to pop into the pub for lunch but it doesn’t open on a Sunday. Weird, right! Wouldn’t work in England.

Did see a harbour seal though

And this gull eating a huge piece of fish

Busy day and glad to get back and have something to eat.

First of all a few pics of last night’s sky.

Then there were two parachutists

Started this morning watching this little bunny while having breakfast

Spent the morning shopping in Qualicum. They have a really good farmers market and we bought some  coho salmon that was only smoked yesterday. We’ve just had it with salad and it was delicious.

We then went to Rathtrevor Beach where we were greeted by this Eagle.

Walked to a copse of trees where we saw lots of different nests last time we were here. Could hear one lot of babies but couldn’t spot them. Presume the babies belonged to this Robin.

This White Crowned Sparrow was singing his heart out

A kite surfer was enjoying the water.

Then the heavens opened so we headed back to the car. Before we got home the rain stopped and the sun came out – the steam rising from the road made it difficult to see!
Although we were wet we carried on to Beachcomber as the sun was now out and we were glad we did as we saw one Eagle when we drew near

and when we reached the beach baby was sitting up and Mum was in a tree nearby

Then we returned to the car to drive back to the condo and dry off but had to take pics of these two

Now we’ll sit and relax for the rest of the day. It’s a hard life!

Started off watching a wasp begin to build his nest.

Sun is shining so off to Cable Bay.

Tugs rearranging logs

And, after a cuppa with Jeannie, home.

This was the flavour of the day.

Poured with rain all day so spent the morning reading in front of the fire before driving into the city for lunch at Smitty’s. A really late all day breakfast served by a really lovely young girl. Went looking for wine afterwards and found a shop near here that sells Shocktop so won’t have to send Paul 60km to get some more.
Then back to the condo for a bath and more reading. Not a bad day!