Skagit Wildlife Area, Camano Island State Park — Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022

As we were driving from our campsite at Bayview SP to Camano Island, we saw thousands of snow geese flying above us coming from the waters of the bay at the end of the Rawlins Road. We watched and followed their path as they landed in a field along the Dry Slough Road. We were treated with many sights and sounds as an eagle flew toward them at 2 different times causing awesome flights and sound. At Camano Island SP, we hiked the Al Emerson Nature Trail which is a 1/2 mile loop through an old growth forest of grand fir, Doug fir, cedars and a few yew trees. There are 18 numbered interpretive signs along the way describing the various plants with words and pictures. Today there were no pamphlets available in the box at the TH. There was evidence of recent clearing of trees along the trail.  Mr. Emerson was the first Ranger of Camano Island SP and from 1963 and 1973 when he retired he nearly single-handedly shaped his footprints in building this trail. Park workers were cutting up the trees which had fallen from the recent storm and high tides along the beach. There was evidence of heavy storm damage.