Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
A Cold Walk at Nolte, New Bird Sighting, and the Green River Gorge
Yesterday was the last day of the bitterly cold weather here in the Northwest, at least for this round.
Regardless, we bundled up for a walk in the woods, around Deep Lake at Nolte State Park. Much of the lake was frozen and I wondered at the ducks; even with hat and gloves I was feeling rather frozen, myself.
Warmer in the lake than outside of it, I reckon.
Still, it was a beautiful day, and I got my steps in, if only the easy mile and a half around the lake.
There were all the usual sights, tall evergreens, ferns and mosses,
and trees fallen long ago by the side of the trail.
There were also occasional views of the lake, with its ice floes.
This backwater was frozen solid; it took a few tries, but we finally landed our stones and heard them bounce on the hard surface.
As we neared the end of the trail I heard an unfamiliar bird call, and stopped to find the source.
It wasn’t hard to do as his bright red head stood out against the trees.
A red breasted sapsucker, I confirmed later. New to me, it’s a variety of woodpecker whose main diet is – you guessed it – sap.
Afterwards we headed to the Black Diamond Bakery for lunch, with a stop by the Green River Gorge on the way. I walked across the one-way bridge and gazed over the side
at the falls far below.
This was the view of the river from the other side,
and giant icicles hanging above.
I never get tired of seeing the gorge, and occasionally making the trek down into it, but not in the winter.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
A very beautiful place, Susanne! ❤️
A great place to walk.. Thanks, John!
You’re welcome. ☺️
Absolutely stunning Susanne! Hugs, C
Thank you so much, Cheryl!
Brrrr! A nice sunny day does make the temperatures more bearable though. The red breasted sapsucker is in amongst my favorite bird names!
Very cold indeed that day! And I loved finding out the name of the sapsucker!
❤ And the sun was shining!! Wonderful!
Yes, very cold but there was still sunshine!
What a beautiful place to walk, I’m glad you braved the cold to share it with us. Nice sighting of that woodpecker and the frozen falls look amazing!
Thanks, Sarah. It’s one of our favorite places to walk and not far. And beautiful all times of year!
That was a lovely winter walk indeed, Susanne. And the unusual bird was a great bonus.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. I always love seeing a new bird, and this one was quite busy on the trees!