The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is located a few miles southwest of town. It’s one of only a handful of urban wildlife refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1992 the Federal government and volunteers have been working to turn the Refuge back to a more natural state within the floodplain of the Tualatin River Basin.
On a drive to the Coast to spend the weekend, we stopped and took a hike on the Refuge’s three-mile perimeter trail (it opened for the season on May 1st). A pair of bald eagles had a single fledgling in a nest high in an old oak tree. Egrets, great blue herons, ducks and red-winged blackbirds were patrolling the marshes. Always a nice place to visit.
This is Memorial Day. As a Vietnam Veteran, I ask you to take some time today to honor the fallen. I was one of the fortunate ones, but I never forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Red-winged Blackbird singing a cheerful tune
Bald Eagle on the prowl
Egret with a snack
Great Blue Heron
Fluffed out Egret
Cinnabar Moth
Two distant cousins
Attack of the Red-winged Blackbird
Clover
Bald Eagle up close and personal
stunning photos once again, John. A new place to visit!
On the first photo “Red-winged Blackbird singing a cheerful tune”, you can almost hear him singing out of the picture!