great walk when you have to stay local. some bugs.

Workout Nisqually National Wildlife refuge: Walk 5.8 miles in 2 hours 17 minutes with Geo IV at 60 degrees

My daughter and I ventured down to here from Pacific (Auburn) area and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We were able to check out binoculars free just by leaving a driver's license or credit card from the visitor center. The trail is accessible for all. Part of the trail is a boardwalk and the other part is gravel. There are information signs about the wildlife that is to be seen all along the tail. There are also large built in viewfinders all along the trail. We were at the tail in the afternoon and there parking lot was quite full. We saw quite a few visitors on the tail. We saw geese, herons, a snake, and one doe pass us right at the barns. All in all it was great day.

I come here twice a week on average, i love it so! I'm met some great friends and the scenery and wildlife is changes weekly. Today i was fortunate enough to see and photograph the elusive long-tailed weasel! He was quite the character darting across the boardswalk in front of us! Then ran up a tree near the twin barns. I felt so lucky to fire off a few shots in focus. This was all after the amazing beaver display just before the weasel sighting. I've been wanting to watch this big beaver bath out of the water and today was the day! We then walked all the way out the boardwalk to sound and watched eagle having salmon breakfast during low tide. If you enjoyed this report please consider donating to WTA and sponsoring me in hike a thon this month? Here's the link, thanks so much for your consideration. https://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1468&AID=3052&PID=515274

First week of Hike a thon is going well, i've managed to get in 24.5 miles in mostly paved trails or Nisqually but it all counts. Next week i hope to hit more dirt trails and high vistas but until then enjoy the birds and mammals @ Nisqually. This place NEVER disappoints me! I've learned alot coming here for past 2 years consistantly. It feels like my other home. I know most volunteers, and the seasons change and so do the birds and animals you see. Lately, i've been seeing a ton of beavers in the early morning hours before 7 AM, swimming in the ponds right near the bathrooms @ the visitor center. Check it out! Today i spotted several Soras, Virginia Rails, 1 American Bittern, 2 eagles, 2 osprey, 1 seal as well as tons of other little birds. I also saw the elusive long tailed weasel on the boardwalk earlier this week! What a treat that was! When i can't get to the mountains, this is where i go, that and my local milton/jovita trails. I'm doing Hike a thon this year if you would like to sponsor me here's the link: https://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1468&AID=3052&PID=515274 Thank you for your support!