Tallinnamadala Lighthouse, Tallinn, Estonia

This lighthouse sit in the Gulf of Finland on the Tallinn Shoal approximately 20 miles Northeast of the city of Tallinn, Estonia. It was established in 1969 and replaced a bouy that was at that point from 1950 onward. Prior to 1950 a lightship had been stationed at the shoal. Construction took 9 years due to stormy seas. This very distant view was taken in June 2009.

Dunnet Head Lighthouse, Scotland

The Dunnet Head Lighthouse is located at the most Northerly point of mainland Scotland. It was built in 1831 by Robert Stevenson and was automated in 1989. The point of land on which the lighhouse is situated is also known as Easter Head. The photo of this beautiful 20 metre tower were taken from a distance in May 2009, however I only recently properly identified the light.

Port Colborne Inner Lighthouse, Port Colborne, Ontario

This light is located on the North East end of one of the two breakwalls adjacent to Sugarloaf Bay (formerly Gravelly Bay) on Lake Erie in Port Colborne, Ontario. It marks the South entrance to the Welland Canal, which joins Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. It was established in 1903 and is active. The proximity to the Port Colborne Outer Light is shown in the top photo. The photos were taken in October 2010 (both distant views). As I grew up in Port Colborne (many years ago), I am sad to report that although I spent many hours fishing near these lights, I never once took a photograph way back when. I hope to get back in the not too distant future and get out by boat and take better photos of both lights.

Port Credit Inner Channel Lighthouse, Port Credit, Ontario

This new light was built in the 1990's and is located on the Credit River adjacent to Lakeshore Blvd. in old Port Credit (now part of the Municipality of Mississauga, Ontario). It is near the Port Credit Village Marina a short way up the river from Lake Ontario. It is not believed to be an official light. There is a lighthouse themed mural on the wall beside the light. Photos taken in October 2010.

Queen's Wharf Lighthouse, Toronto, Ontario

This inactive light is located between Fleet Street and Lakeshore Blvd., just West of Bathurst St. in Toronto, Ontario. The following is inscribed on the plaque affixed to the lighthouse and gives a history of the light. "Queen's Wharf Lighthouse - This lighthouse, built in 1861, stood on Queen's Wharf 450 metres to the East, near the original foot of Bathurst Street, and marked the only navigable entrance to Toronto Harbour. At the time, it supported a fog bell and a red lantern which, when aligned with a white range light, indicated the approach to the harbour. In service until 1911, it became redundant when a new Western channel was established. The lighthouse was moved to this site in 1929. - Toronto Historical Board 1978". Photos taken in October 2010.

Yaquina Bay Light - Revisited

As with Yaquina Head, I stopped at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse to take a few more photos on a recent trip to the Newport, Oregon area. Once again, I got there too late and the lighthouse was closed for visits, but I did get a few photos to update my previous posting. Photos taken in September 2010.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, Oregon - Revisited

It had been a number of years since I visited this light which sits on a windy outcropping of land just North of Newport, Oregon. In my original post, the light is shown in it's previous colours of Red and White, and as you can see from these more recent pictures, the colour is now Black and White. Photos taken in September 2010.

Heceta Head Lighthouse, near Florence, Oregon

In previous trips past this beautiful light, I had not had time to stop and hike up to the lighthouse and had only a photograph of a distant view as in my previous post about it. I had vowed to remedy that oversight and this time, although the weather was not cooperating, I made the short hike up to the site. Here are some photos of the lighthouse and the remaining keepers house (which is a popular B&B - photo on right). My visit included a tour of the lighthouse by a very interesting guide who related the history of not only the light but the origin of the name Heceta Head (after a Spanish Explorer who noted when passing that there was a shallow area of ocean West of the current site of the light). These photographs taken in September 2010.

Lightship Columbia, Astoria, Oregon

The Lightship Columbia (WLV604) is one of the highlights of the Columbia River Maritime Museum at Astoria, Oregon. This lightship was stationed at the Columbia River Station between 1951 and 1979. Photos taken in September 2010.

Cape Meares Lighthouse, Cape Meares, Oregon

This light stands high atop an ocean bluff in Cape Meares State Park on the Three Capes Scenic Loop near Tillamook, Oregon. Construction of the light began in 1888 and it was first lit in 1890. The light was decommissioned in 1963 and replaced by a beacon which is located on a hill just East of the original tower (photo on right). Photos taken in September 2010

Cape Point Lighthouse (New), Cape of Good Hope, South Africa

Built in 1919 to replace the previous light that sits too high, this light is built into the side of a rocky bluff below the old lighthouse. The two photos, taken in August 2010, show the spectacular setting of this light. Unfortunately time did not permit me to take the hike down to the new light when I visited.

Cape Point Lighthouse (Old), Cape of Good Hope, South Africa

The original Cape Point Lighthouse was built on Cape Maclean on the Cape of Good Hope Penninsula in 1860. It was built on the highest point in the area and unfortunately it was built too high as it was often shrouded by low clouds and therefore not useful as an aid to navigation. It was replaced in 1919 by a new light built a short distance away but lower to the water. The ols light is now a popular tourist stop for those visiting the Cape. (Watch out for Baboons when visiting.) The metal plate on the old light (see photo) indicates it was designed in 1857. Photos taken in August 2010.

Roman Rock Lighthouse, Simon's Town, South Africa

Built on a rock in False Bay near Simon's Town and Boulders Beach, South Africa (Cape Town area), this light was established in 1861. It took four years to construct. It sits in front of the South African Naval Base. These somewhat distant photos were taken in August 2010 frin Boulders Beach, where there is an established colony of African Penguins. According to a local guide, it is the only staffed lighthouse in operation in South Africa.

Slangkop Point Lighthouse, Kommetjie, South Africa

This tall cast iron lighthouse, also known as Slangkoppunt Lighthouse, was built in 1919. It is located near the village of Kommetjie, south of Cape Town on the way to the Cape of Good Hope. Photos taken in August 2010.

Green Point Lighthouse, Cape Town, South Africa

The Green Point Lighthouse is located on Beach Road near the Green Point Common in Cape Town, South Africa. It is also known as the Mouille Point Lighthouse. It is a beautiful light, with striking red and white diagonal stripes. It is a short walk from the Victoria and Alfred (V&A) Waterfront and the new Green Point Stadium which was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This lighthouse is also featured in one scene from the recent movie "Invictus". It was built in 1824. Photos taken in August 2010.

Pole Passage, Orcas Island, Washington

These photos taken in June 2010 show a current aid to navigation that is located on the tip of Orcas Island at Pole Pass. Pole Pass separates the San Juan Channel from Wasp Passage. It is purported that the first ever light in the San Juan Islands (a pole with a lamp) was established at the spot of the current aid to navigation.

East Point Light, Saturna Island, B.C.

The East Point Light is located on the far Eastern tip of Saturna Island, one of British Columbia's beautiful Gulf Islands. It sits across Boundary Passage from the Patos Island Light in Washington's San Juan Islands. The station was established on the site in 1888. The original lighthouse was replaced by a steel tower in 1948 and the station was destaffed in 1966. Photos taken in June 2010.

Patos Island Lighthouse, Patos Island, Washington

The Patos Island Lighthouse on Patos Island in the Washington State San Juan Islands is the only wood construction lighthouse in Washington. The station was originally established in 1893 and the lighthouse constructed in 1908. The light was automated in 1974. The tower has two red panels which warn sailors of dangerous shoals in the area. The island is now Patos Island State Park. The Lighthouse was recently refurbished and is maintained by the Keepers of the Patos Light. The photos were taken in June 2010.

Turn Point Light, Stuart Island, Washington

Located on the Northwest corner of Stuart Island in the San Juan Islands, the Turn Point Lighth sits across the Haro Strait from B.C.'s Pender Island. This station was established in 1893 and was originally a lamp on a post and a fog signal. the Current light tower was constructed in 1936. There is a beautiful keeper's house on the site. Photographs taken in June 2010.

Lighthouses and Orcas

On Sunday June 20, 2010 I was treated to a Lighthouse and Whale Watching tour of the San Juan Islands in honor of Father's Day and my Birthday. My wife and son arranged for a cruise with Orcas Island Eclipse Charters aboard the 56' M.V. Orcas Express. Captain Dan and his staff took us on a wonderful 64 nautical mile cruise of the San Juan Islands, passing 5 lighthouses (Cattle Point, Lime Kiln, Turn Point and Patos Island in Washington's San Juan's, and East Point Light on Saturna Island in the adjacent British Columbia Gulf Islands). We also passed through Pole Passage which is purported to be the location of the first light (a lamp on a pole) in the San Juan Islands. As a bonus, we had the good fortune to see numerous Orcas (Killer Whales) at several points along the route, the staff identifying members of all three resident pods (J, K and L pods). The trip was a great experience and I would highly recommend Eclipse Charters, especially their Lighthouse Tours for fellow lighthouse lovers. Information on the trips can be found at San Juan Islands Lighthouse Tours or at the Orcas Island Eclipse Charters website. I have included a collage of some of the lighthouse photos I took during the cruise as well as a shot of some of the "locals". More detail on the new lighthouses I photographed on this trip will be provided in separate posts.