I took the day off work today and we made the 3 or 4 mile journey from our house to the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge which is just outside of Washougal Washington. We did around a 4 mile hike into the refuge and hiked along the Columbia River for a short distance. Eventually this will be part of a 300 mile hiking trail through the Columbia River Gorge. Unbelievable for us that so much wild life lives so close to our house. An overcast day we couldn't see Mt. Hood, but enjoyed the sights like the Tundra Swans above who winter at the refuge every year. I am not sure, but this may be a Pileated Woodpecker below, which we heard, long before we could spot him.
If it hadn't been so overcast, this would have been a great shot of Mt Hood looking out at the Columbia River.
Here you see Martin looking at all the Canada geese and other fowl which congregate here.
Martin took this one because of the reflection of the trees in the lake.
I think this is a Great Blue Heron, amazing to see one!
And check out this muskrat, I think we saved it from being eaten by a large hawk.
One of the highlights was seeing an American Eagle in the wild, so beautiful.
We had a great time and plan to go back every season to see what wildlife is there year round.
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