A survey of local wildlife

1. We went for a hike today on Sauvie Island. Just 10 miles north of us, it's one of our favorite spots for berry picking in the summer and visits to the pumpkin patch in the fall. If that weren't enough, much of the island is a designated wildlife preserve, and as we walked in the idyll of its grassy paths, among ancient oaks along the Columbia River, we spotted at least three great blue herons gliding over water and resting in tree tops. If that weren't enough, a few birders pointed out to us an enormous nest atop a tree at the far end of a small meadow just off the path. In it was a bald eagle feeding her young. I couldn't believe it! It was right there before us, laid out like a nature show, except without commercial breaks. The birders were nice enough to loan us their binoculars for a moment, but you almost didn't need it - those birds are huge!

2. A few days ago, The Boy and I were biking home along the Willamette after lunching downtown with AR, and we saw a sea lion gamboling in the river with some sea gulls. I was stunned to see its fat head emerge from the water, followed by a big old fin, and nearly rode into a pylon. It's big news here that the sea lions are causing problems at the Columbia River dams, where fish ladders designed to help salmon migrate upstream actually function as giant buffets for the hungry mammals, but I hadn't heard about them in the Willamette, which runs right through Portland and is crossed by I5. I've since read that they've made it all the way down to the Willamette Falls in Oregon City, where I guess the snacking is just as good.

3. There were multiple sightings of the gelato-fueled 16-minute miler in our neighborhood this evening. AR and I thought it would be a good idea to stop for a tasty treat on our way home from dinner, though we questioned that wisdom when, after downing a single scoop, The Boy started hopping up and down outside the gelato shop like a deranged rabbit. I asked him if he wanted to walk home with me instead of riding in the car with Mommy, and he said, "Yeah! Let's beat mommy home!" Which he nearly did. He ran the whole half-mile back to the house, shouting "I'm going to beat you Mommy!" to AR, who was driving alongside, clocking him at 8 mph.