Candy and I attended a Birding and Blues Festival which consisted of a series of lectures one day and some hikes and lectures the next. The first lecture we attended was about the history of the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The next one was about the common birds in our backyard. I learned a few interesting tips to help me in identifying these birds. This is Ram Papish, an artist and conservationist, who gave the last interesting lecture titled "Where Penguins and Puffins Meet." He said that contrary to popular opinion he didn't just paint pants! We saw some of his beautiful work on the signs throughout the refuge.
I went on a hike that took me to this viewpoint overlooking Cape Kiwanda and Haystack Rock. While at this viewpoint we saw 2 Turkey Vultures, a Bald Eagle, 3 Redtail Hawks, a Harrier, a flock of Banded Pigeons, and a Kite.
Cape Kiwanda and Haystack Rock
The scenery on the refuge is breathtaking.
Licorice Fern
Salmonberry (we were told that some of these grow to be the size of pingpong balls!)
Horsetails (a prehistoric plant)
Turkeytail Fungi
Pink Fawn Lily (sometimes called Lamb's Tongue)
These scratches in the Alder were made by a black bear or a cougar (both reside in the area).
Oxalis (Sour Grass)
Skunk Cabbage
Braken Fern (the new growth, called a fiddle head, can be fried and eaten).
Our guide's name was Karen and she worked for the Fish and Wildlife Department. She is an artist who loves sculpting from nature. She is taking back some Alder limbs to construct a huge bird's nest.
This is one of her sculptures. The eggs are the size of volley balls!
We're never too old to play (Megan and Drew)!
Getting ready for church (pretty cooperative for having his fingernails trimmed by Mom)
A little walk before church starts (Billy, Papa, Drew). Can you believe the view?
