I've really enjoyed my recent outings to Ridgefield and will certainly be making some return trips throughout the year. I'm wondering if there are other refuges within a couple hours of Portland that have a similar auto route or areas to shoot from the road (that isn't a main road)?
I'm not against getting out and walking the trail, but mainly I ask because my daughter really enjoyed coming with me this last trip. She is not quite 3, but she had a lot of fun looking for birds, she was quiet, and if she got bored she had other things to do in the van, but most of the time she was looking out the windows whispering "Oh Wow!"
While I'll be going out by myself and with some photographer friends o mind periodically, I want to get her involved and also give my wife a chance to have some time to herself when I'm out taking photos.
So, I'm looking for some good options like Ridgefield, if there are others.
Any thoughts?
Posted by John Williams on January 11, 2010 at 1:57 PM
Conboy's roads are less intimate, but can still be good for shooting. If you think she would like it, you just can't beat a weekend camping (or Bed & Breakfast) trip to Malheur in May or June. It's like Ridgefield on steroids, one of my favorite places to bird.
Thanks John, I'm not quite sure she's old enough for that adventure yet, but next year, when she turns 4, I'd say definitely. Who knows. I might try to get over to Malheur for a couple days this spring on my own though. We'll see. I've been there during the fall before and had a great experience.
Posted by Craig Strand on January 12, 2010 at 8:11 AM
John mentions Malheur, possibly the premier birding spot of the Northwest. Here are a few other destinations all within a few minutes to a couple of hours drive of the Portland metro area . . .
Sauvie Island
Portland Audubon Society, their headquarters on Cornell Rd, and other local trails on their website
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Portland OR
Tualatin River NWR, Sherwood OR
Koll Center Wetlands, Beaverton OR
Fern Hill Wetlands, Forest Grove OR
William Finley NWR 12 miles south of Corvallis OR
Nisqually NWR, 8 miles NE of Olympia WA
McNary NWR, central WA on the Columbia river
Willapa NWR, 13 miles north of Ilwaco WA
If you Google these you can get more info. directions and maps
Discussion
4 repliesI'm not against getting out and walking the trail, but mainly I ask because my daughter really enjoyed coming with me this last trip. She is not quite 3, but she had a lot of fun looking for birds, she was quiet, and if she got bored she had other things to do in the van, but most of the time she was looking out the windows whispering "Oh Wow!"
While I'll be going out by myself and with some photographer friends o mind periodically, I want to get her involved and also give my wife a chance to have some time to herself when I'm out taking photos.
So, I'm looking for some good options like Ridgefield, if there are others.
Any thoughts?
Sauvie Island
Portland Audubon Society, their headquarters on Cornell Rd, and other local trails on their website
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Portland OR
Tualatin River NWR, Sherwood OR
Koll Center Wetlands, Beaverton OR
Fern Hill Wetlands, Forest Grove OR
William Finley NWR 12 miles south of Corvallis OR
Nisqually NWR, 8 miles NE of Olympia WA
McNary NWR, central WA on the Columbia river
Willapa NWR, 13 miles north of Ilwaco WA
If you Google these you can get more info. directions and maps