A winter float boat trip down the Skagit wasn’t my plan but it was certainly an adventure.  Under the guidance of Cole, our trusty river boat captain, our group of 6 hearty souls took to the water in hopes of seeing hundreds of eagles.

First lesson of the day – Eagles spotting is much better when the weather is rainy and cloudy.  Eagles take flight on beautiful, clear sunny days.

Of course the trip is much more pleasant in the sunshine with blue skies and sparkling waters.  Cole did explain that the wind might be pretty hefty.  I reported that I heard there was a Gale Force Wind Warning and I was glad we weren’t on the ocean.  He laughed and said that the guides were reviewing wind conditions and yes it applied to the river.  Uggh!

Sure enough windiest day ever for Cole on the Skagit.  Never saw such a wind on the river.  Luckily he was up to the challenge.  He supplied hot cocoa and an endless supply of learnings.  Eagles are basically scavengers.  Their name is derived from the Old English word Bauld for white or bold.  Their tails are beautifully white, wings long and graceful.  They have a definite pecking order and the young are dark colored.

We also learned that our friends Mike and Robin are real adventurers.  They kept their good humor throughout the day.  We laughed along the river, took a gorgeous drive back from Concrete to Snohomish for lunch.  What a day!  Blue sky, brisk air, eagles (about 2 dozen), blue herons, buffle head ducks and good friends.  Doesn’t get better than that.