Words and Photos by Beth Marlin Lichter Eighty-four and one-half miles of the Rogue River are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management’s National Conservation Lands. In 1968, this segment of the river became one of the first designated “Wild and Scenic Rivers” in America. Running its course for two hundred and fifteenContinue reading “ROOKERY ON THE ROGUE “
Tag Archives: Birding
Walking Ridgefield NWR’s River-S Unit
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 theContinue reading “Walking Ridgefield NWR’s River-S Unit”
THE BOARDWALK: A LOVE STORY
Words and Photos by Beth Marlin Lichter I think the boardwalk has made me a better birder and maybe even a better human? After a week of walking it, I feel somehow lighter…like the spirit of a thousand birds went flying through my body, teaching me lessons about fortitude, courage and determination. I’m talking aboutContinue reading “THE BOARDWALK: A LOVE STORY “
Wenas Campout May 30 – June 1
By Don Rose Every spring, Washington State’s Audubon Chapters, wildlife lovers, plant specialists, and their friends gather in the Wenas Valley, located on the east slope of the Cascade Mountains between Ellensburg and Yakima. With a variety of natural history and recreation opportunities, the Wenas Valley is a beautiful area that supports a fascinating assortment of springContinue reading “Wenas Campout May 30 – June 1”
Ode to the Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus) By Beth Marlin Lichter I cannot say what I love mostPerched upon a wooden postOr flying sunlit overheadNo place I’d rather be instead A marshy field with ducks and preyWhere little voles get snatched awayBy owls and hawksA mid-air fight!Whilst day is turning into night Photos: Shillapoo Wildlife Area/Winter 2025-2026 by Beth MarlinContinue reading “Ode to the Short-eared Owl”
Young Birders & Cameraderie inspiring youth birdwatching & photography
By Isaac Lang (newest VAS board member) Ever since I started birding, I’ve always yearned to find peers who enjoy bird-watching just as much as I do. Upon joining the Wild Bird Society of Tainan, I quickly realized that the majority of birders were retired and their teenage years were long past them. After attendingContinue reading “Young Birders & Cameraderie inspiring youth birdwatching & photography”
VAS Community Outreach: Birding with Seniors on the Auto Route
By Beth Marlin Lichter On 12/11/25 Ken Pitts and I took senior residents from University Village in Vancouver, to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, River “S” Unit. This is the famous auto route, a 4-mile loop through diverse habitats, always a beautiful ride. Your vehicle is your blind this time of year, however between May 1st and September 30th one is permitted to exit the car along the route and walk the Kiwa Trail as well (unless aContinue reading “VAS Community Outreach: Birding with Seniors on the Auto Route”
Short-eared Owls
Photos and Text by Isaac Lang After arriving in America, one of the birds that I desperately wanted to see again was the Short-eared Owl. The only time that I was able to lock eyes on one was when my dad and I saw a pair of them fly between two patches of forest inContinue reading “Short-eared Owls”
I’m Just So Glad You Are Here (Song of the White-crowned Sparrow)
Photos and Text by Beth Marlin Lichter Still in the honeymoon stage of birding, I would call myself an advanced novice. Every bird is an uncommon bird. I get excited about a good photo of an American Robin with a berry in its beak. Every species is unique with skills and behaviors worthy of observation. BirdingContinue reading “I’m Just So Glad You Are Here (Song of the White-crowned Sparrow) “
RECAP: First of the Month Bird Walk at Salmon Creek Greenway
By Sam Cable A gentle and intermittent drizzle paired with a cold, gray morning did not stop 13 observers from recording 51 species over 3 hours on our First of the Month Bird Walk led by Cindy McCormack. Leaving from the parking lot we wound our way around the softball facility whose manicured grass lawnsContinue reading “RECAP: First of the Month Bird Walk at Salmon Creek Greenway”