Green River Natural Resources Area

I worked overtime this morning, and as soon as I got out the door I knew this would be a good day to go to the Green River Natural Resources Area. 

Some of you local to me may have gone right by this area without even knowing that it was there.

http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/publicworks/specialprograms/grnra.asp

Gives a much better explanation than I could.  Suffice it to say that the GRNRA is 304 acres of wildlife habitat that’s been preserved from being covered by houses.  What does that mean?  Well, in the area where I live, house density can be as many as 6 houses per acre…

This bridge has been like this for quite a while.  Doesn’t look as if there’s any big rush to get it repaired, either.

I spooked a flock of gadwalls here in this stretch.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many gadwalls in one place before.

The bodies of water here are essentially linked sewage ponds. I can remember that when I first started living up here on the East Hill, that it was possible to wander around very close to the ponds. Not any more!

Some of the varying habitat–there’s upland, grass meadow, and of course, ponds.

There’s also some very nice viewing platforms–three of them if I’m not mistaken:

A photograph from the top of the tower.

I know that at least one or two of you are asking how I got there–this is a mid 1980s Raleigh mixte.

A better photo of the mixte–she is eager to get going, but there are no bikes allowed on the trails in the Resources area…

The birds were almost too numerous to mention–Peregrine Falcon, Cooper’s Hawk, Gadwall, Mallard, Canvasback, Northern Shoveler, various teal. Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker. White-crowned Sparrows. Golden-Crowned Sparrows. Fox Sparrows. I’m going to try looking for owls next time I am here. I think that this area will be on the top of my list for winter birdwatching spots.

For those of you who wonder why I live here–this is Mount Rainier.