Wiley Slough

Today was supposed to be the Chuckanut 50k. My progress towards a finish was going fine, until I rolled my ankle, bad, in the last quarter mile of the Ebey Kettles Run in late February. Nevertheless, I intended on toeing the line, perhaps with an ankle wrap, and tour the Chuckanuts today.

Nevertheless.

The world has changed dramatically in the past three or four weeks, although the birds of Wiley Slough are not in the loop. The coronavirus has hit the United States like a Hurricane Katrina, knocking society off its moorings. The government prohibits gatherings--first it was 250 or more, then 50, and now 10, or less. Chuckanut sadly postponed, like everything else. I'll let others write about the particulars, but this is a time like no other, where we are supposed to stay home, and businesses are shuttering everywhere.

Well, maybe I'll say a little more. It is a time of fear. Fear of grabbing a door handle, fear of getting too close to anyone, fear for our relatives and friends, fear for ourselves. There is uncertainty, with announcements from DC, the Governor, the Mayor, every day, ratcheting down our freedoms for the benefit our public health. A common good. Only two or three weeks ago, things felt relatively normal. But now, Sauron has come to the Shire.

But not so much Wiley Slough, one of my quiet places, on Fir Island. Instead of Chuckanut, or even a long run, I took a slow walk through some of my favorite marshlands. The water level is down lower than I think I've ever seen, and a pair of mudboots might've made for.a wholly different adventure, off trail.  Eagles, hawks, herons, waterfowl, an owl hooting, unseen. A slow walk as opposed to a sweaty run. The worries remain, but a little bit of outside goes a long way.

Friends, the best of health to you--both physical and mental--in these difficult times.

A Few Bird Pictures from Skagit

Pair of Eagles with nest on Fir Island

Eagle nest in the distance, across Wiley Slough, Skagit estuary

Eagle pair from a different angle, Fir Island

 Peregrine falcon, at dusk, Wiley Sough

Trees in water, Skagit estuary

Mount Baker, viewed from the southwest

These pictures were taken a few weeks ago on a Sunday when friends Seth and Naomi came by, and we wandered around the valley a bit during the afternoon. In addition to these, we saw many, many snow geese, trumpeter swans, and an owl in flight. A very nice afternoon, and always good to spend time with friends.

Skagit Wildlife Recreation Area

My friend Seth dropped by a weekend or two ago, back from some amazing adventures in Nepal. We had a bit of time, so we checked out the Skagit Wildlife Recreation Area, which is becoming a favorite local jaunt of mine.

The recreation area is off the Conway exit, and is referred to also as the Wiley Slough.  There are some dike trails which are a few feet above the Skagit drainage. This is an estuary area, where fresh water meets salt water. Estuary areas are rich in wildlife, as an edge ecological zone, and therefore make for great fun for traipsing around.

We took the trail to the end, and came upon a local conservationist who lives on Fir Island, and who had all sorts of great information about the migratory birds and what they like to eat.  He also pointed out that we might be able to seals if we hiked out to the point, which was basically along the river and through mudflats.

Seth had brought the family dog--who's name is momentarily escaping me, apologies, Seth-- who was thrilled to jump around through the mudflats. Right now, the cattails are at full height, which made our little trek through the flats that much more of an adventure.

I don't mean to make this more than it sounds--we were only out for a couple hours.  What I like about this place is you can see so much cool ecology in such a short time. It's not really a runner's destination, though I suppose loops could be done.  It is more of a naturalist's exploration and delight.   Hunters like it too, for birds. Such is the nature of shared conservation spaces.

We ended up seeing all sorts of birds--herons, eagles, warblers, gulls-- and we made it out to a point, across from Camano Island and Whidbey Island.  We weren't so fortunate to make the full point and see the seals, but there's always next time.  This site is particularly favored in the winter, when there are more migratory birds in the area. Seeing the area in summer, with berries, cattails, and different birds makes for a wonderful contrast.

Some day I'm going to carry a chair out here and just sit for half a day, taking note.

Skagit Wildlife Recreation Area

Made it down to the Skagit Wildlife Recreation Area a week or two ago with friend Rich.  The rains have the water levels up very high.  The birds are going nuts.  A pair of eagles in a big nest. Herons zipping about.  Eagles sitting in trees right above the trail. Canadian geese in the brush. Strikingly beautiful for being so local and such a short walk.

Spring is here...time to start making some bigger plans.

Wiley Slough

In my continuing search for snowy owls, I happened upon the renovated Wiley Slough area on Fir Island in Skagit County this weekend.  No owl sightings, but the Slough was a find in itself. 

The Wiley Slough is an estuarine area on the South Fork of the Skagit River delta.  An estuary is a place where saltwater meets freshwater.  Typically a very active ecological zone. Good for birds, salmon and other things.  And interesting to me.  I'm excited to go back, as I can meander in such an area for hours, and this is pretty near home.  Padilla Bay is another local example of an estuary--they are just really special places.

The Wiley Slough has been the focus of a great deal of restoration work over the past ten years or so.  Lots of stakeholders involved, including the Skagit Watershed Council, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Skagit River System Cooperative, Seattle City Light, US Fish & Wildlife, and Audubon groups. I'm not sure of the whole scope of work, but from my vantage point, I discovered some wonderful new trails to explore.

Notably, this is an area for bird hunting, so be ye advised should you go. Heard a fair amount of shotguns, but saw more birders.  The Slough area is easily accessed with a left turn on the Fir Island Road, a ways past Conway. Discover Pass required. It wasn't too muddy.

While out that way, I also tried using my phone to film some snow geese at the Hayton F&W Reserve, also off Fir Island Road.  This is not a great video, but it gives some indication of how these birds flock en masse in the Skagit fields this time of year. And that they are loud. This winter, I have watched staggered V formations of snow geese, stretching out in the sky for nearly a half mile, flying above the flats.