The Magical Healing Power of Nature

The other day I left my biology class upset after someone made an inappropriate joke that unintentionally targeted me. I got into my car and blasted some angry rap music and drove off a little fast, since of course all of that will make me feel better. Or not. As I drove down the road, I noticed the sun was still shinning and I was about to pass a waterway filled with ducks and geese. I made a last minute decision to turn into the park and take a minute to unwind.

Me feeding ducks at a local park.

As I got out of my car, I was instantly greeted by the setting sun. The golden rays instantly melted away some of my distress. I walked down a pathway along the water and large African geese came up to me talking up a storm, asking for food. They cracked me up and I laughed out loud and told them I had nothing for them but they were adorable. I took a moment to inspect the intricate patterns of their feathers, the colors of their beak, the design of their webbed feet.

A ruddy duck was a great surprise visiting a local park.

Ducks started to quack their way over to me, expecting food. They would then leave after awhile after they discovered I was empty handed. You can tell these little critters are well treated by the community. And they reward people in ways you would not think of.

A family of young rats delighted me with their curiosity.

When I left, I had a smile on my face. This urban wildlife and natural area healed me in ways a conversation with a good friend, or loud angry music could not. They infused me with some peace, tranquility and happiness just by existing and distracting me and reminding me of the splendor in the world. I’ve seen this many times before with myself. I’ll go on a walk, frustrated from something, and a squirrel will unexpectedly pop up, or a unique bird like a kestrel will fly by or some crows will impress me with their intelligence. Suddenly all the bad thoughts in my head will disappear and I will be thinking, “how cute” or “wow” or nothing at all since my head is filled with awe.

I named this little spider Spike. I discovered him on a walk while camping east of The Dalles. His eyes and tiny body amazed me and I fell in love.

This is why I love nature and animals and appreciate what they provide for me without ever asking. This is why it is important to capture this beauty in photographs, protect animals with education and be environmentally conscious in every day life. I appreciate the magic of the natural world and want to share that with everyone.

Northern Pintails swim in some water found in the Columbia Whitetail Deer Wildlife Refuge in Washington.

Squirrels!

Through the years I have taken many photos of squirrels. I have found them to mostly be curious, cute and dopey. When I was young, my family took in a baby squirrel whose mom was no longer around to care for him. We named him Zoomber. He lived in our house with a cage he could choose to visit, but mostly he ran around our house and visited with us and made nests in our old clothes in our laundry room. He was so entertaining to have around. Luckily after taking care of him for a year we started to reintroduce him to the ourdoors around spring time. He slowly adapted to become a regular wild squirrel who had his own family and peered at us from the trees. Here are random photos of squirrels in nature who I got to visit in their environment.

*** Any native squirrel that has been orphaned or injured should be brought to a wildlife rehab center to properly handle the care of the animal. I am appreciative of my experience with Zoomber and since he was non native, he was best off in our care. ***

A trip to Columbian White-Tailed Deer National Wildlife Refuge

My parents live along the Columbia River in Cathlamet, WA. Their view from their home is beautiful and less than 10 miles down the road is the Columbian White-Tailed Deer National Wildlife Refuge. Every visit I am able, I drive through this refuge at least once. Evenings or morning are best since there is more of a chance to see deer. I discovered last year that elk go to the refuge, to actually find refuge, during hunting season. The most common sighting are great blue herons, and one drive threw 11 were spotted. I often take my niece and nephew with me since it is a great family activity and they enjoy counting the number of different animals we encounter.

A red tail hawk sits in a tree along a marsh area.

The red tail flies off, probably cause he got annoyed with me taking photos.

Three northern pintails swim along a marsh area of the refuge.

A group of northern shovelers looks for food. Shovelers have wider and longer beaks than a regular mallard. The females look similar otherwise, but the males are more unique.


Close ups of the winter vegetation along the waterways of the refuge.

An immature bald eagle flies from a tree. Look at those tallons!

Holidays with Wildlife

I spent many hours over the Christmas weekend at different wildlife refuges. Christmas day my favorite gift was all the wildlife viewing at a refuge by my parents house with my niece and nephew (pictures will post later). On Sunday when the weather was cold and windy, I opted for Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge since they have an auto tour full of wildlife.

A heron in the field at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge.

A blue heron finds lunch in the form of a small rodent. I always thought they just ate fish.

A blue heron flies away after I got too close for his comfort. Sorry.

Baby nutria! They may be invasive, but they sure are cute!

There were four little babies eating grass on the side of the auto tour road at Ridgefield.

Tundra swans fly overhead. I've only seen swans a few times in my life so I was excited.

Swans rest on the pond in Ridgefield. These large birds have so much power behind their wings they could break your bones if you got too close.

A red tail hawk sits in a tree. There were many spotting of red tails in the trees along with refuge.

A red tail fly by my car hollering about something. In this picture he just landed, but his mouth is still open with his screeching talk.

The landscape at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge which is beautiful all year round.

Migrating Birds at Crystal Springs

A cormorant always show up this time of year and I appreciate their uniqueness.

I love the skinny legs of the coot, and their funny little sounds.

Quite a few less scaup swim at the park this time of year.

A gadwall looks plain from far away but has some beautiful feathers and patterns.

A male bufflehead tries to not get too close while diving for food.

A grebe floats away. These little guys are quite skittish.

One of the few squirrels wanting nothing to do with me.

Most of the squirrels were looking for food and from the size of them, were very successful.

A squirrel asks me for food, but I was empty handed.

A Trip to Sauvie Island

I was feeling a little down one recent Sunday morning, but the sun was shining and my camera was calling my name. I decided to go to Sauvie Island and explore the area and even get a parking pass, as required on the island. Someone I volunteer with gave me some ideas of places to check out, and even though I got lost, which is hard to do on the island, I did find many treasures.

There were many flowers in nearby fields.

I love the shape of these plants, especially next to one another.

The first natural area I came across I saw a great blue heron in the field, later joined by an egret. In the distance I could see swans and I yearned to go closer, but signs warned to not go any further and that hunting season was ongoing. In the short distance I saw a red tail hawk flying by a tree, so I started to cross the boundary anyway, but heard gunshots and decided against it. Luckily a red tail stopped in a tree in the “safe zone” and I got some great shots.

As I traveled the road I was unfamiliar with, I found myself at a dead end with bird sounds in the distance, but once again the areas were marked for hunters. So frustrating!

I did manage to see birds in the trees, swans flying overhead and other beautiful sights.

Eventually I got back on the road and finally found a no hunting area and started to take a walk. The downfall was no swans or marshes in the area. I did not go the full 3 mile loop that a hiker told me about, but I did find a woodpecker who was nice enough to let me get close and take cute pictures.

I am excited to go back to Sauvie Island for more nature adventures. Hopefully soon, the hunters will be gone and there can be peace there once again.

Wildlife refuges that allow hunters are common, but it makes no sense to me. It is a challenge to enjoy nature with sounds of destruction in the distance. I had to control myself when I saw one such hunter coming out of the nature zone I was not permitted. With his camo and rifle, he became a symbol on the war against nature we so readily allow.