Whitaker Ponds Nature Park
Barely 48 hours after my Smith and Bybee trip, I took the short trip to Whitaker Ponds Nature Park to see what kind of birds I could find there. The park is about 10 minutes from my house, so close that I may make regular visits to see what waterfowl are “diving” or “dabbling” there.…
Smith and Bybee Wetlands
This past Saturday I visited Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area “the largest protected wetland within an American city.” It is a great spot for biking (40-mile loop!) or paddling a kayak or canoe when water levels are agreeable. This day I traveled by foot along the Interlakes Trail. I took the chance of birding despite…
Stub Stewart State Park – First Trip
For my first documented birding trip, I stayed in a cozy cabin at Stub Stewart State Park, 34 miles west of Portland. This woodsy park made for a perfect birding opportunity. The forest is mainly comprised of tall, even-aged Douglas-fir with an under-brush of ferns and (seasonally) leafless vine-maples. I took several lovely walks in…