Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
For the Birds – At Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
I’d heard of Ridgefield before as a birder’s paradise – and yes, a bird’s paradise – but this was our first stop at the Refuge. Off the beaten path, it’s located north of Vancouver, Washington, near the Columbia River, and on our way home from our road trip to the Columbia Gorge last week, we decided to stop.
According to the website, “Ridgefield NWR was established in 1965 to provide wintering habitat for the dusky subspecies of the Canada goose whose habitat is extremely limited. Since then, smaller pieces of land have been added to create what is now Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
Staff and partners strive to work with the community to restore and conserve Oregon oak woodlands, pastures and wetland habitats. These lands provide the perfect environment for state and federally protected species such as Columbian white-tailed deer, Sandhill cranes and other wildlife.”
It’s much larger than I realized, and there are two major sections. We went to the River S Unit and took the auto tour, stopping to view the birds and wildlife, only exiting our vehicle when allowed, at blinds.
The one-way gravel road surrounds an area that includes several lakes, marshes, and a river. There were a handful of other slow-moving vehicles, drivers and passengers with binoculars and cameras in hand.
In addition to the lakes filled with ducks, geese and swans,
we saw plenty of egrets and great blue herons hunting and fishing
or just out for a stroll.
Other birds soared overhead.
Afterwards, we stopped at one of our favorite burger places, In-n-Out, only recently arrived in Washington, the only one so far, at Ridgefield. (We used to get our fix of the delicious burgers on our annual trips to California.)
Now we have another reason to go back to Ridgefield – for the birds and the burgers. Next time we’ll walk the trails of the Carty Unit of the Wildlife Refuge, hopefully, this spring.
~ Susanne
For Icy Blue and Aquamarine – Just Look to Alaska!
I love a good color challenge, especially with my favorite colors! So for this week’s Sunday Stills I went to my archives where I knew I’d find icy blue and aquamarine on our first cruise to Alaska.
In fact, it was our first cruise to anywhere – what a way to travel! Our ship left from Seattle which meant, we packed our bags, got dropped off at the pier, boarded, and left the rest up to Holland America!
It was all wonderful, but a highlight of the trip for me was the day we spent cruising in Glacier Bay.
According to the National Park website: “Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site—one of the world’s largest international protected areas.”
And to think I’d never heard of it before our cruise!
It was cold and rainy, and visibility overhead was not the best, which means I missed the backdrop of frosty mountain peaks. Which also means I need to go back to see this magnificent place in all its glory, earlier in the season, when we might have better weather.
Maybe this summer? We’ll see!
~ Susanne
Bright Red Berries
No snow yet in the lowlands here, so I haven’t been able to capture berries covered in snow, the pictures below are from past winters.
I’m still hoping for snow, but the berries on my doorstep are still beautiful adorned with raindrops, which are plentiful year-round!
Sharing with The Flower Hour.
~ Susanne
Traveling the Best of the West – A Look back at 2025
We only did a few major trips in 2025, and they were all in the West. It was fun looking back on them, and I admit I got carried away with my pictures. Even so, I hope you enjoy them. Click on any picture to enlarge.
In the spring, we took a road trip and were welcomed to California by Mt. Shasta
Our destination was Napa Valley where we enjoyed charming towns, fine food and lovely vineyards. We even managed to squeeze in a side trip to San Francisco, by ferry.
On our way back home, we took the scenic route through the Redwoods, which we never get tired of visiting!
During the summer we hit the Oregon Coast, taking in both Cannon Beach and Cape Kiwanda.
In the fall, we ventured as far west as possible, all the way to Hawaii, splitting our time between our two favorite islands – the Big Island of Hawaii,
and Oahu.
Marvelous!
As wonderful as those trips were, I enjoyed our trips within my home state of Washington just as much.
So when my traveling days are done – at least to distant places – I’ll still have much to enjoy close to home.
Sharing with Sunday Stills, #Year-in-Review
~ Susanne
Treated to a Kingfisher at Coulon Park
Yesterday’s walk at Coulon Park was beautiful, clear, cold and sunny, and made even more special when I noticed a bird hovering like a helicopter over the lake, then diving in headfirst!
A common bird perhaps but one I rarely see, especially when I’m carrying my camera. A kingfisher I thought, a stocky bird with a cute top.
I followed him over to Bird Island where I watched him in the trees above.
He sat patiently, eyes on the water below, waiting for just the right time to make his move.
I managed to capture him in the air only once, and noticed the lovely polka dots on his tail feathers.
He dove into the lake several times, while I wandered here and there to get a better shot.
Eventually, he dropped down closer to the action where I watched him a while longer
hoping to capture him fishing. Maybe next time.
I honestly see more bald eagles at Coulon, than I do kingfishers, today was no exception.
Once back home, I confirmed him to be a belted kingfisher, perhaps a her, judging from the rust color on her breast.
“The belted kingfisher is a stocky, medium-sized bird that measures between 28–35 cm (11–14 in) in length with a wingspan of between 48–58 cm (19–23 in). This kingfisher can weigh from 113 to 178 g (4.0 to 6.3 oz). The adult female averages slightly larger than the adult male.
This species has a large head with a shaggy crest. Its long, heavy bill is black with a grey base. These features are common in many kingfisher species. Both sexes have a slate blue head, large white collar, a large blue band on the breast, and white underparts. The back and wings are slate blue with black feather tips with little white dots. The female features a rufous band across the upper belly that extends down the flanks.” Wikipedia
Every walk at Coulon holds a new surprise.
~ Susanne
Magical Moonrise Over Mt. Rainier
It was the end of 2020, our first full year of Covid. Travels were still limited to outdoor spaces, so we bundled up and headed to the mountain in our backyard.
It was clear and sunny, snowy and beautiful, that day.
We stopped by Longmire and as far up to Paradise as the road would allow,
and admired the mountain from many angles.
But the best was yet to come.
As we exited the park, we came across dozens of cars stopped on the sides of the road, like a buffalo jam at Yellowstone. Maybe a bear or a moose?
But no, the moonrise over the mountain was the reason why, the best I’ve ever seen.
It was magical.
Which reminds me that December is a great time to visit so we’ll head up to Mt. Rainier again soon, weather permitting. And if we’re lucky, we’ll be treated to moonrise again.
~ Susanne
A Photo Shoot for Saturday Caturday
“How about a little photoshoot, Benji?”
“Sure, Sue, how about this?”
“Nice Benji, but you look a little shellshocked. Can you tone it down a bit?”
“Sorry, Sue. Something more like this?”
“Much better, Benji. You’re such a handsome boy.”
“Thanks, Sue.”
Happy Caturday from Susanne and Benji
A Winter’s Walk with the Birds and the Grinch
The rain finally stopped on this first day of winter, so I took a walk at Coulon Park.
I saw flocks of American Coots swimming
Canadian Geese flying
and a Bald Eagle watching, 100 feet up.
On the ground things were festive, even though the Clam Lights weren’t on, too early.
But the Grinch and his friends were bright and colorful against the cloudy sky, if a bit grouchy.
No snow in the forecast, only more rain, so this will have to do for Sunday Stills, #Winter Wonderland.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 