Saturday, April 12, 2008

saturday at the refuge


The Empty Nest Hiking Club decided to check out the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge today. In spite of it being relatively close by, we'd never been there before. According to their brochure, the refuge is home to a variety of animals, including opossums, rabbits, chipmunks, coyotes, mink, deer, and elk. On our hike along the "Oaks to Wetlands Trail" we saw...

drum roll please...

garter snakes.

Yep, that was it. Several garter snakes. Although to be fair, we did see lots of cool birds -- including a pair of eagles. Plus the weather was beautiful (warm and sunny) and the trails were pleasant, winding around a couple of lakes.

Pictured above: The Hub by Really Big Tree. (I'm glad to know I didn't take botany for nuthin' -- see how I remembered the proper botanical name of the tree?)

10 comments:

Lori said...

Yes, your grasp of botanical science demonstrates your mastery of the bio-scientific dialectic!

And the garter snakes? Were they the ones in blue with the lace spines that slither around wedding receptions?

(PS, how is the fancy blog masthead accomplished? I see these about and am wanting to try one)

Barbara B. said...

The garter snakes were of the red-spotted variety. (I'm not sure if they are the ones usually invited to weddings.)

(I will e-mail you about the blog masthead.)

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

uhm yes harvey's west coast relatives... they do get out & about once easter is past. they hitch up their winnebego and away they go for wild adventures near big trees.

ooh yes the masthead is impressive. my template is so "narrow" width wise... thinking of changing, but one thing at a time. better change out of my robe & slippers to drive off to worship first!

dust bunny said...

Snakes...snakes...I hate snakes.
That really big tree would have been a refuge for more than just birds if I had been on the hike.

Barbara B. said...

hot cup, the mental image of garter snakes in winnebagos is funny! anyway, the west coast rels send their fondest regards to harvey! :)

dust bunny, actually the tree was loaded with ants--you wouldn't have wanted to take refuge there!

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

What an amazing tree...and of course I love the name **smile**

David B. said...

Damn! Dad looks hot!

didn't qualify for a empty nest video eh?

Barbara B. said...

David, haha! :)
No video on this one... if we had seen at least one darn rabbit I would have probably done one.

Terri said...

I took a few courses in horticulture, thought I wanted to have a self-sufficient farm (LOL, it WAS 1974)...but do I remember any of it...less than you I'm guessing

sounds like a nice hike, and I even like garter snakes, used to play with them at my great grandmothers house

Barbara B. said...

Yay! '74! (my high school graduation year)