Sunday, March 2, 2014

Nisqually Wildlife Refuge walkabout

I don't work Sundays, or Mondays for that matter, but Sundays are my fun-days. I almost always bake something tasty for my work week.  We spend a bit of time in nature, even if that just means cutting firewood or playing in the garden, to heading up to Seattle for a visit. Sundays are for going out to brunch with friends and reading the New York Times in front of an afternoon fire. 

This morning I pick nature, even in its dreary and rainy state. My sweetie and I went to the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge to see what we can find. 


This place is such a special oasis, a hidden gem, something passed by more than explored. In 1974, Nisqually Wildlife Refuge was established to protect the delta and its diversity of fish and wildlife habitats. Its open daily from sunrise to sunset and if your a wildlife photographer its the place to be. We always see at least a few. 

We start here, along one of the many paths out into the wetlands and woodlands, towards the estuary boardwalk. The sounds are mesmerizing; from the loud frog croaks to the twirps and whistles of the birds, you can't help but feel like your in a mystical place.


The grasses have taken over the fallen trees


and the ferns have gotten the standing ones. 


We walk along the path untill we reach the Twin barns. These barns were built in 1932. They were used as an educational facility until they were damged in an earthquake in the early 2000's and closed. I've always wanted to check them out inside and wish I would have back in the day. 



Doesn't mean the geese can't enjoy them though!


We are almost to the estuary. This is a place where the fresh Nisqually River meets the salty Pudget Sound. A place of flux, where the tides slip back and forth twice daily. 


We arrived a few hours after high tide and could still see the water rushing out. There was lots of movement in the water. 


Freshly exposed earth for the birds to walk on and search for food.

The boardwalk goes for about a mile and a half into the estuary. There are so many things to see and depending on your tidal timing you will be seeing different things. I've been lucky enough to see bald eagles, seals, and many types of birds on my walkabouts. The birds are out regardless of the tides, their activities just change.

As we make it to the end of the boardwalk, we see this Great Blue Heron just hanging out. We ended up seeing 5 or 6 different ones. Most just hunkering down, cause it was raining out. Not a hard downpour but more like the misty fruit stand kinda rain. Some were fishing though, like most of the birds we saw, trying to get food while the water was gone. 



Magic, that is all that comes to mind when I see this beauty around me. Its a place in constant flux yet so stable that many species call it home and prosper here. The meandering tributaries within the sanctuary remind me of the path less traveled and the energy that path must bring.

Nature, in all its wonder and glory, never ceases to amaze me or fill me with such joy. It's filled with so many treasures, large and small. The Pacific Northwest, the place I call home, is a magical land filled with creatures like no other and places only within dreams. Luckily, I get to live my dreams. 

Are you? 











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