This continues the Semiahmoo, Washington, Eagles thread that began in 2008. Semiahmoo is a part of Blaine, Washington, which serves as the border crossing into Canada. Blaine is 120 miles north of Seattle and 30 miles south of Vancouver, B.C. Most of my eagle observations are from the Semiahmoo Spit, a mile-long sand spit that separates Drayton Harbor to the east and Semiahmoo Bay to the west. There are condos, a resort and a marina on the north end of the spit and a county park on the south end of the spit. Eagles are often seen on lone tree snags in the center and both ends of the spit. There are two eagle nests in Semiahmoo, another in nearby Birch Bay, and two across the harbor near downtown Blaine. The Semiahmoo Spit also serves as a wintering area for migratory birds. Photos and more detailed histories of the two Semiahmoo nests can be found in the archived site for this thread in Forum (old) - link.

Semiahmoo Spit views: Continuing this new thread gives me an opportunity from the start to provide some overall views of the narrow strip of land where I observe eagles. Access to the spit is by automobile as well as on foot by two trails: the Coast Millennium Trail and the Semiahmoo Public Trail. On 5-7-07 I was able to fly over the spit in a Cessna 182 (first photo). The paved walking path visible in the middle photo also serves as part of the Coast Millennium Trail. Below freezing temperatures in winter cause ice to form in Drayton Harbor (third photo) Click to enlarge photos

Aerial view

Spring view

Winter view

OK, I know I’m off topic with these posts, but not much happens in Blaine, Wash. Today, 2-10-10, was an exception when the Olympic flame left Canadian soil for the only time as part of the Vancouver Olympics. A college student from Surrey, B.C., was the torch bearer (first photo) and the flame is visible in the middle photo as it approaches the Peace Arch, which serves as a border point between the U.S. and Canada. The Canadian torch bearer crossed into the U.S. and then passed the flame to an American who carried the torch through the Peace Arch entryway back into Canada. I’ve been able to frame the Peace Arch in several wildlife photos from the Semiahmoo Spit, but so far no eagles in the picture with the arch. However, I did see a couple of eagles on the way back from this ceremony so will post them later.

Ed, Thanks for the photos of your eagle watching area, how beautiful it is in all seasons. Great photos of the Olympic Torch. The snow here has been very little . We have really lucked out. There was a 3.2 earthquake in Chicago last night, that is about 300 miles north of where I live. I slept through the whole thing.

Ed: Great start to your thread in the new forum It's a beautiful area you live in That must have been exciting to go up in a Cessna and take that pic of the spit

So glad you were able to get some photos of the torch; I wonder if the torch bearers had to show their passports

Ed,

Your Olympic pictures were just thrilling! I have no doubt that one day you WILL get your perfect shot of both an eagle and the Peace Arch together.

Linda, Kay and CAL04: Thanks for your comments. Kay: I've sent you a PM. CAL04: Eagles are always in the area of the Peace Arch so I'm not giving up hope. Linda: I heard on the news about the Chicago quake. Unfortunately, we are overdue for a big one somewhere in the Northwest. -- Ed

South end, Drayton Harbor, 2-10-10. Returning home from the Peace Arch ceremony, we spotted two eagles atop trees. .