Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, Washington State

Its Sunday and its fall/winter in Tacoma which means RAIN!! If you live on the westside of Washington you know that you have to accept the neverending rain in order to get outside!
Being couped up for sometime indoors I jumped in my car and headed south to the Nisqually Nat' Wildlife Refuge.

                                      marsh/wetland
Upon arriving the parking lot to my amazement was almost packed. The sweet lady at the desk alerted me that a Great Horned Owl had been spotted the last couple days.
The gift store is nice with lots of birding books along with wildlife books. I grabbed a list of all the birds that either call Nisqually refuge their home or just pass by. The list was quite long.
 

                                                                        The estuary
The refuge is almost all boardwalk. There are also trails next to the boardwalk and a trail that connects the marsh boardwalk to the estuary boardwalk.
The estuary boardwalk goes far out into the estuary where high tide will surround on all sides.
Birds were everywhere especially in the estuary portion. Waterfowl were plentiful. I wish i had brought my binoculars as i probably would have been able to cross off more birds on my list.
The Northern Harrier made his rounds above the estuary twice as i walked. Each time he flew low the waterfowl would scatter beneath him. It was life he was just having fun showing everyone who was the boss.
Two eagles were seen playing with each other or possibly mating. I don't know when their mating season is but i know that eagles mate for life!
I never saw the Great Horned Owl but i did see a couple seals in the Nisqually river overlook.
The rain came and went. Soon my patience with it took a steep decline. I cut short the estuary boardwalk and took to the car for heat and warmth.
It was still far better than staying home!!


 

                                         Bubbles from clams

                                                                             Blue Heron
 

Birds spotted: Blue Heron, Mallard, Canadian Geese, Buffleheads, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Hooded Merganser, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, American Coot, Belted Kingfisher, Winter Wren

Here's more info and facts about NWR:
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/nisqually/
http://friendsofnisquallynwr.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisqually_National_Wildlife_Refuge

Lake Mowich Loop: Part II

Mt Rainier from Spray Park

 

Morning came but not fast enough as I struggled to stay asleep the second half of the night. Another bright sunny day laid ahead. 

Soon camp was behind me and Mt Rainier was waiting for me!

On the way up Spray Park Trail creeks, waterfalls and more creeks flowed over and adjacent to the trail. Wildflowers popped up everywhere! This is what I had been waiting for!!!!

 

Snow soon covered the trail as Mt. Rainier slowly revealed her glacier capped head. Mother mountain and her craggy ridge protected my back to my south as I slowly hiked through an ice field. Once up the snowfield Rainier was is full view. This was the highest point of Spray Park Trail but instead of heading to lower elevation I had to get closer to Rainier's Spectacular vastness. An off-trail path headed closer to Rainier. Alpine wildflowers were blooming everywhere. After a 1000 foot climb I sat in the warming glaring sun eating lunch as I starred at the snowy giant. 

 

 I've seen Mt Rainier while driving north and south on I-5 and while hiking in Clearwater Wilderness but this trumps all other views. Up close and personal!!!! I took out my topo map of Rainier and studied its peaks, glaciers, ridges, cliff faces and its topography just like I love to analyze my GF's beautiful eyes and face!!! Minutes smeared into an hour!! Pure relaxing enjoyment!!

   Off down the trail i passed many day hikers who were heading up. I met a threesome from the Czech Republic who spoke of only the respect they had for Mt Rainier. So glad it's in my back yard!!

Through the lush water soaked alpine fields of spray park I quickly hiked. Avalanche lilies were so abundant that it was as if the ground was snow covered! 

 

Into the trees I walked while taking the side trail to see Spray Falls.

I was not expecting to see and experience what laid infront of me!

I'd never heard of Spray Falls therefore i didn't know what to expect. Its shear cliff face with a robust amount of beautiful cascading water had me sudennly sitting down and head turned up in amazement! Mist slowly swirled around my body giving the experience an fantasy land like feel! 

Snack-time!! 

After cooling off in the mist I journeyed the rest of the way back to my old VW golf. Another trek, another adventure, another wonderful weekend in the PNW!!