Union Bay Natural Area — Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021

Dry day, but plenty of mud at Union Bay Nature Area from all the rain past week, so boots recommended.  Our hike today was pretty evenly split between woodland trails, urban paths, and wetlands.  Starting at entrance to Cowan Park, we found some great trails down and through the ravine in Ravenna Park, then emerged from Ravenna to walk a few blocks to 25th St, where we crossed to pick up the Burke Gilman Trail, exiting that to descend the stairs at 36th. A little further we entered the grounds of the Center for Urban Horticulture.  Some great gardens to wander through, and greenhouses to peek into.  Then on to the marshy area with mostly good trails, except for several very muddy spots. Lots of birders out, many with their scopes, and for obvious reason.  So many birds to see.  Spotted a bald eagle, several kinds of ducks, a small flock of Swans, a group of Cormorants, a pair of Stellar Jays, and numerous smaller more common birds such as sparrows, chickadees, and of course robins.  Then circled around to U Village for some lunch, and then back through Ravenna and to Cowen.