Photos & Writing by Don Rose
I am a person who loves to walk, but I also love to bird. This summer I have combined these loves and started walking the River “S” Unit of the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge. It is about a 4-mile walk that takes 3.5 – 4 hours. If you include the Kiwa Trail, it is 5.3 miles and 4.5 hours. This area is driving only between October 1 and April 30, so spring and summer are the only time you can walk this route. The advantages are tremendous as it gets you up close and personal with the birds in their habitat. You can take your time and use all your senses to find animals and birds. In a car, you are limited mostly to sight, and that usually is in front and to your left from the driver’s seat.
The beauty in Ridgefield in the spring and summer is in the rebirth of life. Many examples of parental love and nourishment are witnessed as you walk this route.
Many of the other species are busy feeding their young as well. You can see them hunting, gleaning, and stirring their way throughout the walk; hunting insects, looking for seeds, and nibbling on berries and flowers.
I have walked this route 3 times this summer in the early morning before it starts to get hot. I am interested to know if there are other Vancouver Audubon members who would be interested in attending this walk, perhaps on a regular basis. The meetup time would be around 6:30 am and we would be done by 11:00 am. If you are interested, please email me at drose@vancouveraudubon.org.