Fidalgo Island, Washington: You can find us in the Pacific Northwest USA in the heart of the Salish Sea. This is the spot where the Strait of Georgia, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound converge. The nearest communities are Anacortes on Fidalgo, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island and La Conner on the mainland. The San Juan Islands are a stone's throw by ferry. Please visit
Fidalgo Island Crossings and
fidalgo island light to see more of this beautiful island.
The Salish Sea Ecosystem: Spanning two countries and dozens of nations, this
great inland sea is named for the Salishan language family of its first inhabitants. Warmed by Pacific currents and sheltered by mountain ranges, the climate is unusually mild for its latitude. It is fed by several major river systems which make it less salty than the ocean. Despite more than six million human inhabitants, it remains one of the most diverse biological ecosystems in North America.
Welcome! I am Raven,
Kaẃqs. I created this magical place. All who appreciate my creation are welcome here. My creatures and gardens are precious to me. Be free to observe, study and learn from them. You may harvest food when and where that is permitted. You may respectfully take photographs and gather empty shells, but otherwise, please allow my creatures and plants to survive undisturbed.
Ck'wálidxw (thank you). From stories told long before Europeans arrived in America.
Wild Fidalgo is a
Certified Wildlife Habitat by the
National Wildlife Federation. Under this program, backyards, churchyards, parks, schools, and even apartment balconies can participate. Providing food, water, cover, and places to raise young create a healthy habitat. Sustainable gardening practices are also encouraged and include reducing chemical use, conserving water, and using native plants. Under the same program, Fidalgo Island/Anacortes is also a
Certified Community Habitat.
Wild Fidalgo has fulfilled the requirements for certification as a
Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary by the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. More than 35,000 acres of wildlife habitat has been converted to housing in Washington State. This program helps to offset some of the loss. Providing food, water, cover, and places to raise young for wildlife, and encouraging sound practices in resource conservation are goals of the program.
Wild Fidalgo is a member of
Washington Shore Stewards for waterfront and stream-side property owners. We learn 10 habitat-friendly guidelines and voluntarily apply as many as possible when caring for our beaches, bluffs, gardens, and homes. We seek to create healthier waters and shores for birds, fish, wildlife, and humans alike.
I am a novice photographer, but I try to keep learning. With few exceptions as noted, all of the photos here are my own. If you wish to use a photo, please
contact me for permission and describe the intended use. I use Canon 7D Mark II and G7X Mark II cameras. Lenses include Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD, EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM UD, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro, Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM.
Photo: Canon U.S.A.
Another photography tool I enjoy is the
BirdCam Pro. Birds and
other creatures often won't show up or act normally when a human is around. Motion activated cameras solve this. I was inspired to try one when a magnificent
Pileated Woodpecker visited the feeders. Check out the
BirdCam photos here showing how garden visitors behave when no one is looking.
My fascination with wildlife had begun by age 7. I spent many happy hours exploring the woods and ponds where I grew up in south Puget Sound. The thrill of discovery has never left me. Now I take pictures of what I find and try to learn about them. Then I share these experiences here, at
Fidalgo Island Crossings, and at
fidalgo island light.
Note: I am a member of Amazon Associates. Some of the product links on this blog route to Amazon. In theory, if purchases are made from these links, there is financial benefit to me. This is not a commercial site, and I have never earned, nor have I expected to earn, a cent from this program. The links are provided only as a convenience to visitors. dw
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