Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge

Enjoying Oaks Bottom’s final fleeting fall colors

(Click on each photo to see a larger picture on a separate picture page.)

Portland’s fall season normally ends just after Thanksgiving. Because of warmer weather and a mild autumn this year, leaves still clung from tree branches along the Willamette River, about a half mile from my home, when the first weekend of December arrived.

I found the last hold-outs along the river’s edge and in the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, next to the river. Before everything fell to the ground, I made my mandatory fall leaves photo outing. Though this safari did not feature the Kodacolor brilliance I remember from Alaska, it more than did the job. I had a chance to photograph some of the juvenile black tail deer that have made their home in this wetlands area. I also found a few other holiday-themed treats, including decorated small rail cars used for seasonal rides from Thanksgiving through Christmas.

When I left Seattle a little over four years ago, I wondered if I could ever replace the beauty and views I had of the Puget Sound and that spectacular area from several parks near my home. Luckily I have with this space, walking distance from my new home. I never have a bad time running or walking in this urban wildlife area.

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Taking a walk through Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
A nice walking trail takes one around the soggy bottom.
Moss is about the greenest thing in the refuge this time of year (January 2015).

 

The Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is about one-half mile from my house. At any given time one might see egrets and blue herons, ducks, geese, and maybe the urban coyotes who have found refuge here in between nocturnal prowls eating cats, rats, coons, trash, ducks, and other critters. Here are a couple of scenes from my walk last Sunday. Lovely place. (Click on each photograph to see a larger picture on a separate picture page.)

Good morning, great egret
I captured this great egret hunting on Jan. 11, 2015 on a slightly drizzly Portland morning.

My photographic stroll through Portland’s Oak Bottoms Wildlife Refuge led to this lovely encounter with a great egret, hunting for food. Note the orange beak and large body–characteristics that distinguish it from the snowy egret. (Click on the photograph to see a larger picture on a separate picture page.)

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, Portland
A black and white study of some the scenes on the bluff above Oaks Bottom.
A trail takes visitors down to the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

Oaks Bottom Widlife Refuge is a beautiful wetlands and nature preserve near my house, along the Willamette River in Southeast Portland. I cannot believe I live so close to it. Coyotes hang out here, and signs are up warning people their cats will be coyote nibblins if they do not pay attention and bring them indoors. People live down here too in tents. Next time I publish pictures of this place I will show you what it looks like up close, perhaps with the many resident waterfowl.

Click on each photograph to see a larger picture on a separate picture page.