Juneau to Haines, Alaska, 11-8-11. Four-hour trip aboard the Alaska Marine Ferry LeConte. Stellar Sea Lions on Benjamin Island, 25 miles northwest of Juneau. Click to enlarge.

Juneau to Haines, Alaska, 11-8-11. Sailed past a few lighthouses, including Eldred Rock Lighthouse in Lynn Canal with snow-covered mountains in background. Note: Will begin posting photos later from the eagle festival on the Semiahmoo thread. Click to enlarge.

Hi Ed * Thanks for sharing your photos from SE AK.
I have to wonder what kind of food the heron would be hunting at the glacier pool?
Cool shot of all the Sea Lions !
Great photos of the lighthouse and scenery.

Fantastic photos Ed:thumrht: Looks like you had a wonderful time.

Doug, I have no idea why the heron was by the glacier. I was just glad it was there to make the photo a bit more interesting.

Kay, Yes, we had a wonderful time. The only bad part was that I picked up a cold that I can’t shake now almost 10 days later. Same thing happened on our trip to Haines in 2006.

Ed, how unfortunate that you got a cold; I hope you are feeling much better now.
Mindy (eaglesonly) told me the other day that a friend of hers said there were 4 or 5 Snowy Owls at Reifels. Wouldn't that be a beautiful sight to see

Hi Kay: That would be neat to see the snowy owls. Too much rain and wind to go there now. I hope they’ll stay for the winter. Oh, It seems I always catch a cold each time I fly commercial.

Johnson/Debay’s Swan Reserve, 2-3-12. We try to visit this area once every winter to view trumpeter swans and other wildlife. Not much wildlife today: a few swans, an immature eagle, a hawk and a heron. Path into the reserve is very muddy from recent rains.

The following information is from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife:

This 331-acre reserve is located northeast of Mount Vernon. The property was bought in 1995-97 to provide a non-hunted upland reserve for trumpeter and tundra swans where they can feed and rest during the winter. It contains forest, a backwater slough of the Skagit River, and managed agricultural fields. Corn is planted for swans; cereal grains for ducks. Public access is restricted to two parking/viewing areas..

Driving Directions:

From I-5 northbound, take the College Way exit (#227) in Mt. Vernon, east to LaVenture Road. Turn left (north), and continue on this road (it turns into Francis Road) for a few miles as it snakes its way northeast through the flats. At a 90-degree corner, you will see the sign adjacent to a roadside parking area, and a short gravel road called DeBay Isle Road. You may turn left down DeBay Isle Road to get to the Reserve area. If the gate at the end of the road is closed, park in the parking area on Francis Road and walk in.

Invasive rodent warning

Immature eagle