Bird Sanctuary

Today was one of those awesome summer days that couldn't have been planned better if I'd tried!  Sydney and I had to drive out to Point Roberts this morning to pick up a parcel I'd had delivered there, so we thought we'd take advantage of being out in the Delta area, and head to the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary to scratch one more place off of our Summer Bucket List.

The bird sanctuary is absolutely amazing, so beautiful and serene.  It is literally acres of undisturbed marsh land where hundreds of thousands of birds come every year.  There are trails all around the property that you can wander, and catch a glimpse of one of countless numbers of species of birds.  Today was the most perfect day to visit.  It was blazing hot, but we were cool and comfortable on the trails which were mostly shaded by the huge trees and greenery growing there.  It was magical!

Sydney was amazing while we were there.  I bought two bags of birdseed at the entrance and she literally walked for upwards of forty five minutes with the little bag in her hands, quietly distributing feed whenever she saw a bird in the vicinity.  At one point she had a run-in with a slightly aggressive duck who gave her a little nip with his bill.  She jumped back with a look of shock on her face but didn't shed a tear, just kept on feeding the poor bird!

It was such a lovely way to spend the morning, we enjoyed ourselves so much and left feeling so calm and relaxed!  On our way walking back to the car on the trails, I told Sydney that she could choose one souvenir from the gift shop to take home with her.  We talked about the meaning of the word souvenir and she told me later that she was getting "a present for herself to help her remember."  So sweet!

She chose these two sticker books with very cool, and very realistic, stickers of birds!

The bird sanctuary is on Westham Island which is just adjacent to the village of Ladner.  To get there, you drive over a one lane bridge.  So quaint!  On the way there, you drive past farm after farm, a fishery and a winery!  Today ,in the blazing summer heat, all of the farms were open and selling everything from produce and flowers to honey and wine. 

I couldn't resist stopping at this very sweet farm, Emma Lea's, to pick up some freshly picked raspberries and tayberries, which are a hybrid berry, a cross between a blackberry and raspberry.  They are tart and fresh and oh so delicious!  Would make the most amazing jam! 

Next to the fruit stand, there was an ice cream shop that sold not only ice cream, but fresh smoothies and milkshakes made with the berries fresh off the farm.  There were literally huge bowls full of berries sitting out to be happily scooped into a blender.  It was so awesome!  Syd enjoyed herself an ice cream cone and a long ride on the big blue tractor before we headed home.

We popped over to my friend Christina's this afternoon for a quick visit and to play in the backyard.  I love how Sydney is starting to actually play with and interact more with her friends when they are together! 

Oh yes, and that parcel that I picked up this morning in Point Roberts had the funnest things in it:

A Zoku popsicle maker.  This very cool device can make incredible, gourmet popsicles in a matter of minutes!  Syd loves eating anything frozen, so being able to make my own popsicles is like an investment in her nutrition!

Yonanas!  This very clever little machine turns frozen bananas and fruit into soft serve ice cream without any added dairy or sugar.  Can't wait to try it!

I also treated myself to a Tourmaline ceramic ionic hairdryer.  This bad boy dries your hair in no time flat and leaves it soft and silky, I have heard only good things about it, and am so happy to finally have one of my own!

What a fun day!  Loving Summer!