Had a lazy morning and didn’t leave the flat till 11am. Decided to walk the second part of the Lighthouse Trail. As usual with this part we got lost on one part but it is still a lovely walk. Then popped into French Creek to see the sea lions and decided to stop at the pub for lunch and very nice it was too. One more trip to see the eaglets at Beachcomber Park and then back home as the rain started.

Sapsuckers – always seems weird to see them having a go at a telegraph pole. These two were having a right argument!Spotted Towhee Hutton’s VireoThis seagull was having a very close look at his reflectionThese sea lions were arguingLove these cloudsHe’s huge already

Showery day but didn’t get too wet. Met up with Jeannie and had a good look at another eagle nest on our way to Hamilton Marsh, which was a little difficult to find. Their website appeared to show a big car park and professional concern but it seemed to be the opposite. Did find the Marsh eventually but didn’t see a great deal of wildlife.

Then off to Kincade Creek where we had more luck – and a shower.

Jeannie then left us and Paul and I drove up to Top Bridge Park which remains as beautiful as ever. The weather got better too and we even saw the sun. Lunch at Smitty’s on the way back and then we went to the Beach Plaza for a vodka and tonic on the patio. Unfortunately the service was as awful as always – not sure Paul can stand the stress of going back again! Shame as the view is spectacular.

Two eagletsHeronsLike mother like daughterKilldeer or PloverTop Bridge ParkMerganser

a Tiger swallowtail taking offKingfisherTook pic of this crocodile before I realised what it was!

Weather not looking too good for this afternoon so decided to do Moorecroft first followed by a quick visit to the eagles. Very cold wind but was wrapped up warm so managed to wander and had a quick glimpse of a seal before he disappeared and then an eagle – feel sure he has a nest close by as he was in the same place last time we came. Popped to visit the eagle nest at Beachcomber Park but not a great deal of action until Mum left and two babies decided to have a wash and brush-up.

The rain started and so we returned home for a coffee until it eased off when we went back out and visited Enos Lake. Not been there before and the small nearby lake was full of action. Well worth the visit and we will definitely go back to spend more time there. The rain started on the way back to the car but we’d had another good day which was finished off by a meal at Lefty’s.

FlickerClouds looking ominousMum and baby with same questioning expressionAlready hugeTree swallowsMerganser Mum and babiesRufous hummingbird

Supposed to rain this afternoon so decided to do a walk we could finish in a morning. Since we last walked along the creek two years ago the trail has become much more difficult with trees fallen across the path and the bank collapsing. According to the Park ranger it’s because of the logging upstream which means the rain just pours down the riverbed with nothing to stop it. Shame that logging still goes on changing the path of the creek.

Still not raining so walked one of the Lighthouse Country trails and had a good look at a Red breasted Sapsucker – beautiful!

Then time for lunch – salmon and chips at Fish Tales. Delicious. A final walk along the prom at Qualicum Beach for an ice cream and then home.This guy had a mouthful!

Went for our usual walk along the Kitsuksis Creek. Beautiful. Saw a hummingbird but he hid behind a tree so couldn’t get a pic. Disappointed not to see, or even hear, a woodpecker. Maybe next time. Lunch at the Clam Bucket followed by a walk to see The Hole in the Wall. Saw it on Pinterest which said there were a myriad of photographic opportunities – can’t say I found many!

Then back to Parkesville for a walk along the boardwalk and a vodka and tonic. Nice!Apparently these are sundogs. Lovely blue sky and a rainbow?These roots look really creepy.

Weather looked better than expected so we went to the Cable Bay trail. Chilly wind but warm in the sun. Saw a downy woodpecker (our first sighting this holiday) and a seagull eating his lunch – can’t say it looked very appetising!

Back to Nanaimo for a late lunch and the rain started as we were heading back to the car.Skunk cabbage very popular with bearsDowny woodpeckerThis seagull was really enjoying his lunch – a channel catfish we think. Dodds Narrows apparently often a playground for sea lions but they’re obviously doing other things while we’re around.Tiger Swallowtail – beautiful.Not sure what this little fellow is going to grow up to be.Nanaimo – a very busy harbour.

Back to Neck Point Park to check that everything was as it should be – luckily it was. Lots of steps but not too out of breath! Then PipersLagoon where the tide was out further than we’ve seen before. Plenty of wildlife – even saw our first hummingbirds who flew past at a rate of knots arguing the toss! Heard lots of noise in the bushes and then saw a robin flying off – that’s when I saw a nest full of babies – cute.

Needed more beer so did the rounds of the off licenses and came home with lots of other bottles to try and eventually more Shocktop.

Love his feathersThe purple starfish are back.This guy had a nice hairdoMaybe a female towheeOur first seal sightingSpot the kingfisherThis bald eagle was answering his mate who was obviously complaining that she’d been left at home watching the kids while he was chillingRobin’s nestCanadian geese family

Busy day today. Skies were clearer and the sun got warmer during the day. Lovely to revisit Jack Point and saw a turkey vulture for the first time in Canada. Then popped into Beachcomber and saw Mum fly off and return with something to eat as we saw her feeding her babies. Saw one wing stretching every now and again – really big for a baby!

Drove along to Northwest Bay and had a good close up look at the sea lions – at least 70 of them Paul reckoned! So noisy! NanaimoTurkey vultureBlue heronMum coming back with some foodand beginning to feedRing necked PloverThese sea lions were very vocal

Lovely to wake up and know that we will be here for a while – and then had a FaceTime from Becca, even better.

First on the to-do list was to go down to Qualicum to the market and to the supermarket for supplies – nice of Qualicum Foods to be giving out free cake!

Then off to Beachcomber to meet up with our friend Jeannie (and Brynne of course), and see the new eaglets in their new nest. Very breezy and not much activity so didn’t stay as long as usual.Bryan – love this dog, so gentleThe best view we had today although Mum and Dad were very vocal when we arrivedWhite crowned sparrow

male finch?White tailed deer

Really sorry to leave Morris the Moose and The Summit Hotel – easily one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in. After a last breakfast at Purebread we were off down the road to Horseshoe Bay where we were just in time to catch the 11am ferry to Nanaimo. The crossing seemed much shorter than normal and we arrived in Parksville by early afternoon. It was so lovely to get a warm welcome from Karin who let us into the flat and had baked us some delicious scones.

It was great to finally unpack properly and actually stand a chance of finding things! Then over the road for a large vodka and tonic and snack at the hotel overlooking the beach where we watched a heron and then a bald eagle attempting to catch something for tea.

Feeling very relaxed now!Notices on the roads keep telling us to chain up – unfortunately I forgot to pack any so we’re trying to keep out of the way of the MountiesOne of my favourite views in the world – or the bits I’ve seen anyway!Bald eagle fishing – unlucky today by the look of it.This Raven was really determined not to be pushed off the terrace.