We scouted a few lakes down in Thurston County, but the waves were formidible, and the sky very ominous. We found some cliffs along the Skookumchuck River, and climbed them. But George's shoes weren't that great for climbing, so we turned our attention to the Nisqually Delta.The Nisqually Delta is a wildlife sanctuary north of Olympia, pictured here. Two old barns serve as research facilities for the Center. We walked along a road that lead to a dyke, across open wetlands caused by the tides of Puget Sound.
The Delta is a rich and diverse area supporting a variety of habitats. The freshwater of the Nisqually River combines with the saltwater of Puget Sound to form an estuary rich in nutrients and detritus. These support a web of sea life in the marshes and on the mudflats. Salmon and steelhead use the estuary for passage to upriver areas. In the photos here you can see that the tide is up, flooding the marshlands.
Spring brings many songbirds - goldfinches, warblers, tree swallows. Woodpeckers, hawks, and small mammals are found in the woodlands and croplands nearby. Grassland is a perfect habitat for the nesting places of the Canadian geese, who are here now. Several acres are now 'out of bounds' for walking, due to protecting nesting sites.Even though it was pouring rain, we slogged ahead for about a mile and a half, getting our hiking boots wet, and our coats soaked. I wore gloves and a scarf. It was in the mid 40's, and the wind had quite a sting. When the rain let up and a rainbow came out, I took these photos.
