<p>Sometimes a weekend works out perfectly, last weekend was that weekend for us. I had Friday off so we decided to spend some time at the beach fishing for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_salmon">pink salmon</a> as they make their odd year return to Puget Sound.</p>

<p>I spent a day traveling to the Skagit River to view the <a href="/2009/02/14/river-mountains-eagles/">eagles</a> when all I really had to do was go to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fay_Bainbridge_State_Park">Fay Bainbridge</a> – the park hosts a pair overlooking the Sound from their nest.</p>

<p>I took these photos a day early because the weather forecasts called for cloudy skies this evening and I wanted to capture the <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/09dec_fullmoon.htm">largest full moon</a> of the year.</p>

<p>We’ve been experiencing crisp, clear days and nights coupled with stunning sunrises and sunsets – it’s been so clear Mt Baker has been visible the last couple of days.</p>

<p>We always enjoy our time in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Townsend">Port Townsend</a> and so we decided to spend another perfect Saturday in November in our “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison,_Wisconsin">Madison</a> of the Pacific Northwest”.</p>

<p>The animals arrive pre-packaged now, nestled in their stuff sack, so I wasn’t exactly sure who made the trip this morning.</p>

<p>Hours and hours of yard work have kept us close to home this weekend and last but I wanted to get in a short hike, no matter how short. At my reading group I was told about a beach access trail I hadn’t traveled so my daughter and I set out on Saturday morning to check it out.</p>

<p>The would-be naturalists chose <a href="http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/pugetsound/bluffs/dungeness.html">Dungeness Spit</a> as this year’s Father’s Day destination. Some research on the web unearthed <a href="http://www.the3crabs.com/">The 3 Crabs</a> as a highly recommended crab shack right on the Sound with birding on the adjacent beach. Lunch plans decided, we packed the car and drove up to Dungeness.</p>

<p>We went <a href="/2008/06/04/low-tides-starfish-and-nudibranch/">back</a> today to the beach, no rain, more people. Nonetheless, we saw more creatures and captured the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoduck">geoducks</a> spouting forth on film.</p>

<p>Growing up in the Midwest my experience with big bodies of water is mainly with the Great Lakes; the continual change in the tides of Puget Sound being one of the many differences from our former environment. This week we’re fortunate enough to experience the lowest tides in 50 years according to some reports, exposing sea-life usually covered in several feet of water.</p>