On the last weekend of winter I journeyed to the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. And, to my pleasant surprise, I was greeted with some sunshine too.

After crossing over a newly-constructed arched foot bridge above a set of railroad tracks, I walked north to a cedar plankhouse. It was built in 2005 as a representative of the 14 plankhouses observed by Lewis & Clark in a nearby Indian village.

This was the beginning of the Oaks to Wetlands Trail, a well-marked path passing several lakes.

Eventually the Trail emerged on a butte overlooking much of the area.

As I walked back to the trailhead, the thickets appeared to be alive with small birds. The ponds were overseen by egrets and great blue herons.

Truly a bird lovers delight.