Enjoying the Last Days of Summer

 Dover of Ducks!

While visiting Steigerwald Lake recently, I came upon this dover of ducks. Although I was quite close to them, they seemed unconcerned by my presence. Numerous species of birds and wildlife make this habitat their home. It was great to enjoy one of the last days of summer!

Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge

     
           Meandering Creek

While on a nature walk at Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge last week, I snapped this photo of a meandering creek. The one-thousand acre site is located just east of the town of Washougal, Washington along the Columbia River, and has been designated as the location for a  "Gateway to the Gorge" visitors center. (The facility is still in the planning stages.)

If you ever visit the Columbia River Gorge, this refuge with its vast variety of wildlife is a must-see as you journey east on the Washington State side of the river.

Natural Wildlife Refuge

      Mimsi Marsh

Just down the country road from my home is a natural wildlife refuge. Mimsi Marsh is one of my favorite local spots, so I thought I'd feature it again on this blog. Bald eagles, heron, hawks, and a variety of smaller birds can be seen at this waterway nestled only a few hundred feet from the Columbia River.

Lazy Summer Day

   Deschutes River

As summer begins to wane, I thought I'd feature this photo that was taken in June of this year. The Deschutes River in Central Oregon is a major tributary of the Columbia River and is famous for white water rafting and for great fishing.

  

Beautiful Pastoral Setting

    Helvetia Hills

In the Tualatin Valley northwest of Portland, Oregon sits the community of Helvetia. It was named by Swiss immigrants who settled there in the nineteenth century. This area is famous for agriculture, wineries, and for just being utterly beautiful!

A Sunlit Summer Day

  Poetry in the Wild

Finding peace in a remote and remarkable site is probably my most favorite thing to do...besides writing about it! This is another shot of the Salmon River on Mt. Hood in the Cascade Range of Oregon. A memory was made that day with my sweet husband as he used his oil paints to record this site.

National Wild and Scenic River

  The Salmon River

At 33.9 miles long, the Salmon River drains a portion of Mt. Hood in Oregon's Cascade Range. Its entire length is protected as a "National Wild and Scenic River," the only such river in the contiguous 48 states of the U.S. Spending time near it is one of my favorite things to do!