Teri and I headed north to visit the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is on the Kootenai River, which begins in British Columbia, Canada, flows into Montana and then Idaho, and ultimately returns to Canada before draining into the Columbia River.
As refuges go it is on the small side at 2774 acres. In addition to the riparian habitat along the river, there are large areas of ponds and wet meadows, and some forested slopes of the Selkirk mountains.
We started with a hike up the Myrtle Falls Trail which leads up to a small waterfall system. We crossed below the falls on a long pedestrian bridge. Teri looked down at the stream and said that it looked like a good place for a Dipper.
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| Bridge to Myrtle Falls |
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| Myrtle Creek |
About ten seconds later we spotted this American Dipper on a log in the middle of the rushing water.
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| American Dipper |
After a steep 1/4 mile hike, we were treated to a view of Myrtle Falls, which drop about 100 feet in three different steps. Is was beautiful.
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| Teri at Myrtle Falls |
We came across a funny little Snowshoe Hare while we were on the trail. It wanted so badly to get past us, and wanted to be on the trail. It hopped and scampered around like a little kid, on and then off the trail.
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| Snowshoe Hare |
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| Snowshoe Hare - Big Feet!! |
He finally decided to come on ahead, and nearly stepped on my foot. Teri took this picture of the hare next to my pants leg. We wondered how he got that hole in his ear.
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| Coming on Through... |
We also saw several White-tailed Deer in the woods.
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| Peek-a-boo |
Stay tuned for pictures of birds and butterflies.
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| The End... |
You're right. That hare sure has big feet! I think dippers are cool birds to watch.
ReplyDeleteI have been curious about that refuge...I even called them. They have one pad and it is filled for the summer. They hare is changing colors from winter to summer. What did you think about volunteering there?
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