A Quiet Day in the Wetlands

I didn't bring my camera, but today Ben and I hiked the Jackson-Frazier Wetland in Corvallis and it was amazing. We've had tons of rain and flooding lately, so we weren't sure we'd be able to get in. However, after the flooded entrance, the boardwalk itself was clear of water. The water level almost reached the top of the boards, and slopped up onto them under the weight of our feet. Red-winged blackbirds staked out the highest trees and called to each other across the wetlands, which were unnaturally quiet due to the floods. A lovely hike!

Jackson-Frazier Wetland

Another short, easy walk today: the Jackson Frazier Wetland. The last time we tried this trail, the boardwalk was flooded by spring rains. This time, it was perfect.

We saw about four Western garter snakes. This one was quite bold and didn't want to surrender his spot on the boardwalk:

The garter snakes out here are really pretty, and seem to like water much more than the ones back East. All in all, a short 0.8 mile walk, but worth doing for the wetlands and the wildlife. Probably a really good place to spot a muskrat at dusk.