A walk at Vanport Wetlands

On March 25, after a few hours at the 2012 Better Living Show (pictures) at the Expo Center in North Portland, Patrick and I headed a hop, skip and a jump over to Vanport Wetlands (). This is a Port of Portland site, and you can learn more about it here; otherwise, this is a brief description from The Intertwine:

Historically, the Vanport Wetlands site was part of the Columbia River floodplain; however precipitation and storm water runoff are now the sole sources of surface water. Vanport Wetlands provides habitat for over 100 species of birds, many of which nest and raise young on the site during the breeding season.

There was much to see on this dreary day. Enjoy the pictures:

Some geese:

Lots of space for dogs:

The Expo Center is in the background:

An American Robin:

Northern Shoveler:

American Coot:

Song Sparrow:

Ruddy Duck:

Another coot:

Mallards at home:

Red-winged Blackbird:

Patrick playing in the grass:

A large bird flew over us. At first I thought it was a Turkey Vulture, and these are the only shots I was able to manage:

The white tail makes me think it was a Bald Eagle!

Evidence of beaver:

We then walked along a path west of the wetland that follows Mud Slough (at least this is what Google Maps calls it):

(Across the slough is the noisy Portland International Raceway, somewhat of a distraction)

Great Blue Heron:

Patrick “driving a bus”:

Along the path, someone walking their dog pointing out to us a Great Horned Owl’s nest:

We saw at least two young, and although these pictures are pretty poor, these are the first owls either of us have seen in nature:

More Red-winged Blackbirds: