Another clear day.  I think we’re on a roll here.  I’m up with the sun this morning, hoping to get a longer walk in today.  I’ve brought my walking shoes, which will make walking much more enjoyable.  Yesterday, with my kayaking boots on, I could feel every little pebble.

I set out for the head of Hunter Bay this morning and was thrilled to find my first ducks, mergansers, actually.  They were so small, I’m surprised I was able to spot them.  There were about eight very young mergansers who had apparently been left to fend for themselves by momma merganser.   And, they seemed to be doing quite well.  They were catching lots of tiny fish, and then, when they’d had their fill, they’d head for the beach for some feather maintenance.

The wind was building a bit, so I headed for the launch ramp.  There weren’t any boats launching, so I was able to get ashore quickly. 

 I carried my kayak above the tide line, changed my shoes, took off my life jacket, and headed up the road.  The steep incline provides a good workout.  

I hadn’t gone far before I spotted this deer crossing the road.

Apparently, the deer can read signs and, therefore, feel free to roam wherever they like.

This cheerful mailbox caught my eye.  

I liked this home, built in a clearing, which provided enough sun to grow flowers and a vegetable garden.

Some of the houses have breathtaking water views.

I walked for about an hour, before heading back to my kayak.  I spotted this beautiful spinnaker out in the bay.  You don’t see many spinnakers in the northwest, so this was a real treat.