Thursday’s notes….

It always good to see the alums come home...Jordan Nash (FHHS '09) dropped in last week to see his bro & sis play in the ball games over the weekend, and to catch up with his dad Pat.

Let’s see what’s happening….

• You know, Jordan Nash (above) & I have something in common – we both have twins for siblings (he has Charles & Margaret, I have Pat & Bama. Yes, I have a brother named Bama. And a sister named Pebbles.) Here’s a video of what MY life was like, when they were little.

Bluebird, in action. Watch for them this spring!

• The bluebirds are back! Here’s more from Kathleen at the Preservation Trust:

Perhaps you’ve noticed that our spring is a little, well, late this year. However, the recent (short-lived) spell of warm weather has brought us our first bluebird sightings (although one intrepid pair did arrive during our snowfall in late February!)

Sara

We are pleased to announce that so far, 10 pairs of birds and several ‘singles’ have appeared and are settling into territories on San Juan Island. Included in this group is one female returning for a fourth(!) breeding season, and a few unbanded birds (which could either be new recruits from their wintering areas or birds born here we were unaware of). Regardless, we are thrilled to have them back and expect more to arrive in the coming weeks. Remember to have your nest boxes cleaned and ready for them!

In addition to returning birds, we have the return of a summer field technician, who gets the great task of monitoring and caring for the bluebird population while they are on San Juan. This year our tech is Sara Cendajas-Zarelli. Be looking for her in the white pickup with the bluebird logo on the side and be sure to say hi!

As always, please report your sightings (especially during this critical time when we are trying to determine who has returned). Any sightings can be reported directly to Sara at 360-298-2822, or to Kathleen at 360-378-2461.

Happy Spring Everyone!

Morse Island, or Battleship Island, from this angle. Photo by Howie...

• Remember when there was a discussion about re-naming Morse Island a while back?

Folks wanted to call it Battleship Island, ’cause it looks like a ship, not dots & dashes (the island IS named after THAT Morse, by the way.)

Here’s a picture from Howie Rosenfeld when we were on the way to the opening of the Sidney/Anacortes/Friday Harbor run on Sunday. Looks like a boat, doesn’t it?

Alan, in action

• Remember last week I mentioned to you that the Animal Shelter was doing a fundraiser with Alan Niles shooting pet portraits – it went great! Here’s more from Alan…and you can see the slideshow at www.AnimalPlanetPhotography.com. Here’s more:

It’s a dog’s life for Alan Niles, pet photographer.  San Juan Island showed its love for  furry friends last weekend by turning out in packs for the pet portrait event hosted by Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor. Forty-four  loving pet owners with over 60 canine companions  were photographed.  The event was a fundraiser for APS-FH with Alan donating $1250 and Jamie Ellsworth, one of the dog handlers and  President of the APS donating all $500.00 of her earnings.  The event was deemed a howing success with contributions totaling $1750.00.

It's fun to get your picture taken with your friends....

“I am so impressed with the love our islanders have demonstrated for their canines,” says Alan. “This community has a big heart and it is a joy to work with such caring and responsible people.”

Take a peek and see the wonderful expressions by the islands 4 legged residents.  And soon other island events will be posted for Shaw Lopez and Orcas as well as a summer outdoor portrait event for families and a November event for those who want portraits for Christmas. With all future events Alan plans to support the shelter while at the same time bringing warmth to island homes with images of loved ones to hang on the walls.

Photos from the shoot are available on Alan’s business Facebook page for Cascade Photographics and on www.AnimalPlanetPhotography.com.

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