Every Day Is A holiday!

By musings

Female Northern Harrier at Bybee Lake Wetlands

Woke up to sunshine and another nice day here in Portland Oregon, so we decided to drive out to Smith & Bybee Lakes Wetlands Nature Area, some 2000 acres of wetlands, the biggest area located within a metropolitan city in the United States. To read more about how they've reclaimed this area and are bringing it back to it's natural state, click here!

We walked for over 3 miles out to a blind at the edge of Bybee Lake, where we were hoping to see white egret or other waterfowl. But instead we were graced with a female Northern Harrier and an Osprey, along with some turtles and birds. The Northern Harrier (a hawk) was so beautiful as it circled across the water several times. I had no idea if the shots were good or not, I just kept shooting:) I was awestruck when I returned home. What an amazing hawk, and the detail on the wings is amazing.

The Osprey was beautiful too, as it swooped in and picked up nesting material out of the water and flew off. First I thought it had captured a fish, but then Bob said it was just twigs and muck from the water's edge.

This walk is user friendly, all paved, but no dogs are allowed (no matter whether they are on leash or not, and no biking, although there was a nice bikerack at the head of the trail.

To see more of the photos of the wildlife today, visit my FLICKR page, CLICK HERE!

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