Wildlife Saturday!
New Years Eve day of 2016!
I knew I had to end the year outside, it is where I try to spend the majority of my time, but work had been a long week, and I needed something to clear my mind! Being very thankful for a co-worker, T(my co-worker and best bud) had told me about a spot off Highway 99, just short of Corvallis. I'm not going to tell you where it is, the adventure in you needs to want and try to find this place. I am telling you from experience, this place is incredible....even when it is 34 degrees outside and the majority of it is closed!
Started out with a quick bite to eat with one of my oldest friends, then we were off and game on! Binoculars-Check, Spotting Scope-Check, Spitz Dill-Pickle Sunflower Seeds-Check, Camera-Check!
Only takes about 30 minutes to get there, took us 45, I went the wrong way, weird. But once we got there it was an awesome change of pace from the past week. It always seems to amaze me when Oregon holds such awesome secrets and they can be so close, and so rewarding.
I am an avid hunter but I also have much respect for all wildlife and conservation. This place gives you a great opportunity to watch some incredible species, ranging from predators, my personal favorite elk, and soaring birds of all kinds. It was game on the minute we got there. Hawks perched on a lot of the branches(close and far), swans, geese, and ducks filling every spot of water, and Herons monitoring every field, looking for the next unlucky field mouse. The Bald Eagle is what I was particularly interested in, I have seen 1,000 eagles in my lifetime, and they never cease to amaze me.
It was such a great day, we spent about 4-5 hours there, walking the trails that were open, determining the different types of Hawks, glassing every tree line for bobcats, deer, or any other animal we may find. We did have a goal of seeing an Owl, we did fall short, and we may have lost the battle that day, but we will find one!
As the day started to wind down, I was so happy with the results of how the day went, we got outside, explored what I call a hidden treasure now, and my mind was set free. I did have the college football playoff games in mind, but my old friend had that one taken care of. He wanted to get out as bad as I did, but at the same time college football is a staple this time of year!
I just hope everyone gets out and has the chance to explore, no matter where you are, what time it is, how much time you may have, there is always something! It's up to you to provide these opportunities for yourself, it's up to you to choose the lifestyle you want to live. If you don't believe that, just try it, you'll find yourself much happier, sooner than you think.
If you want to know where this wonderful place is that I visited, I will tell you, but you have to work for it. Either email me James@suite2group.com or Direct Message me on any of social media sites. Facebook - Oregon Grown, Instagram - ORGROWN_, Twitter - OregonBoy541
Hope 2017 brings nothing but adventures, wealth, health, and happiness to each and everyone of you! Thankful for 2016 and cheers to 2017!
"The" Oregon Boy