The Great Up-Island Soak: One Cat, Two Eagles, and Endless Rain - Oct 18, 2025

Today’s adventure was all about embracing the rain — and wow, did it ever rain. Finnegan and I headed up island under a canopy of fog, determined to walk through the forest, search for mushrooms, and soak in the quiet magic that only a rainy fall day can bring.

Our first stop was a forest that looked like a watercolor painting come to life. The trees were ablaze with reds, oranges, and yellows — fall in full, glorious bloom. The air smelled rich and earthy, and every step squished softly underfoot.

Did You Know?

When fall arrives and days grow shorter, trees stop producing chlorophyll — the pigment that gives leaves their green color. As the chlorophyll fades, other pigments like carotenoids and anthocyanins emerge, revealing the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows we associate with autumn. It’s not just beautiful — it’s the tree’s way of preparing for winter, conserving energy until spring returns.

Finnegan, looking absolutely dashing in his new yellow rain jacket, fit right in with the autumn palette. At first, he seemed quite proud of himself, strolling through the drizzle with confidence — until the skies opened up and the downpour began. Then came the indignant meows and dramatic looks that made me laugh out loud.

As we wandered, I couldn’t help but pause to take in the colors around us.

Despite the rain, we searched for mushrooms but only found a few. Maybe they were hiding — or maybe it was just the rain getting in my way. Either way, it was an adventure.

Fun Fact

The Red-Belted Conk plays an essential role in forest ecosystems — it helps decompose dead wood, returning nutrients to the soil. Indigenous peoples across the Pacific Northwest have also used dried conks for traditional medicines and as natural tinder for fires.

We decided to head to a nearby estuary next, still chasing mushrooms. The forest gave way to open wetland, mist hanging low over the landscape, when two bald eagles came into view — perched on rain-darkened branches, their feathers slick and heavy with moisture. They looked absolutely magnificent, stoic and unbothered by the weather as the wind tugged at their wings. I managed to photograph both of them, soaked but regal, and it was one of those moments where I just stood still in quiet awe.

Did You Know?

Bald eagles are built to handle almost any weather. Their feathers are coated with natural oils that help repel water, and the dense underlayer keeps them insulated even when soaked. While they don’t love heavy rain, they can sit calmly through storms — often using the opportunity to rest or preen once the downpour eases. Their resilience in the elements is a reminder of nature’s quiet strength.

Nearby, a few mergansers splashed playfully in the rain, darting through the water and chasing each other as if they didn’t notice the weather at all. They were too far for close-up shots, but their personalities still shone through my lens.

Male Merganser

Female Merganser

Did You Know?

Mergansers are expert divers, built for life in the water with narrow, serrated bills that help them grip slippery fish. When they play or chase each other on the surface, it’s often a mix of social bonding and territory display — a way to practice their agility while reinforcing the group’s pecking order. Watching them dart and dive through the rain always feels like catching a glimpse of pure wild joy.

On the way back to the car, a single, very wet but majestic starling caught my eye — sitting proudly in a fall-colored tree, feathers slick with rain. Somehow, that little bird felt like a reflection of my own day: soaked, maybe a bit weary, but still standing strong. A reminder to persevere through the storms, literal and otherwise.

As we drove toward home, I noticed two ravens perched side by side on a telephone wire, both sitting quietly as the rain poured down. They weren’t bothered — not fidgeting or flapping, just being. Their feathers glistened under the grey sky, sleek and dark, as if they carried the weight of ancient wisdom within them.

There was something almost spiritual about the way they faced the storm — calm, steady, and unshaken. Ravens have always been seen as messengers, bridgekeepers between the seen and unseen worlds. Watching them, I felt as though they were reminding me of something simple yet profound: to stop resisting the rain, both the kind that falls from the sky and the kind that falls within us.

We can’t always control life’s storms, but like the ravens, we can learn to sit through them with grace. Let the water roll off your back. Let the noise fall away. Just breathe and trust that, in time, everything will clear.

My mind has been busy lately, so I gave myself one simple goal for today — to spend time with my wonderful cat (and my equally wonderful Aunt, my ever-reliable bird and mushroom spotter) and enjoy their company. Mission accomplished. There were plenty of laughs, a few soggy moments, and a heart full of gratitude by the end of it all.

Even with few photo opportunities, it turned out to be a beautiful day — the kind that reminds me why I love exploring, no matter the weather.