In early April we journeyed to the Tualatin Hills Nature Park, a few miles west of home in the heart of Beaverton.

The 222-acre Park surrounds the confluence of Cedar Mill Creek and Beaverton Creek. It is a remarkably diverse wildlife preserve with wetlands, forests, ponds and streams.

We did a 4.5 mile loop hike. The trails’ names tell the story – – – Oak, Creek, Old Wagon, Vine Maple, Big Fir, Cougar, Chickadee, Cedar Grove, Ash, Serviceberry, Big Pond, Trillium Loop and Ponderosa Loop.

Small birds, American robins, ducks, geese, downy woodpecker, blacktail deer and a nutria entertained us along the way.

It’s always a pleasant surprise to spot deer in an urban environment.