At the end of February we finally made it to Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, outside of Olympia, Washington. This amazing sanctuary has been on our to-go list for a long time, encouraged by the photos and descriptions on our online friend Bonnie Rae’s blog, and it did not disappoint. It wasn’t exactly a “winter warmth” getaway from a weather standpoint, leaving Portland in the snow, arriving at the Visitor Center the next morning with the temperature inching into the 30s, keeping our balance on the crust of ice on the trail and boardwalk. But there was a different warmth in spending long slow hours exploring a beautiful place, encountering creatures we’d never seen, and getting to know new friends. Thanks for hosting us, Gretchen Staebler!
More about this trip on Nancy’s blog.
(Click any image for a lightbox style slideshow of all the photos in this gallery.)
This American Bittern was motionless and almost invisible in the icy reeds. 
There was something to see anywhere you look at Nisqually. 
The trees were home to several adult and juvenile bald eagles and a large nest. 
Water flowed into these frosty mud flats with the rising tide. 
The mile-long boardwalk provides access to the wetland, part of the ~5 miles of trails at this refuge. 
Several large groups of Dunlin were scattered among the flats, feeding and flying off together to their next spot. 
Lesser Yellowlegs along the water’s edge. 
American Wigeon 
Wigeon pair 
A cold Crow. 
Bufflehead 
There were many Great Blue Heron hunting alone in the grasses. 
Once the tide came in, these seals were able to make it to this cozy resting site in the wetlands. 
A hawk checking out the marshes. 
Ring-necked Duck 
And in the bushes, a Robin. Like us, ready for spring.
Discoveries 
Best batch of pics yet!!
LikeLike
holy CRAP these are amazing Alan!!!!!!! loved yellow legs with the rock-that-is-really-also-an-egg + the one where the dude is flying over water and his reflection creates a circle. Also loved American wigeon with the smaller reflection bc looks like a parent caring for a child oh but it’s a reflection. You have the best eye! Love these! also please SAVE THE PLANET
LikeLike
Thanks, Mer! I do love all the cool reflections with the water birds. Check out this amazing photo (by Sean Evans, in the Macaulay collection at Cornell) of a Bittern: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/65826261.
LikeLike