On a pretty day in early September, we returned to the Tualatin Hills Nature Park to do a four-mile loop hike.

Amazing enough, we again spotted an adult Barred Owl only a few feet from the trail. What a delight. They are such a striking bird.

The 222-acre Park, surrounding the confluence of Cedar Mill Creek and Beaverton Creek, is always a fine spot to see wildlife. Over the years I’ve seen deer, nutrias, snakes, newts, squirrels, songbirds, bunnies and many varieties of waterfowl.

It is remarkably diverse with wetlands, forests, ponds and streams. The trails’ names tell the story – – – Oak, Owl, Old Wagon, Vine Maple, Big Fir, Cougar, Cedar Grove, Ash, Serviceberry, Big Pond, Trillium Loop and Ponderosa Loop.

The highlight of the hike was clearly spotting the owl, but we also enjoyed seeing the squirrels and bunnies along the trail too. Always a pleasant place to visit.

Orange Balsam & Oregon Grape

Gray Squirrels