Ankeny Wildlife Refuge

We have been under a smoke advisory  here in our part of the Valley and by Friday I had reached the point where I just needed to get outside.    The smoky  conditions here are because of the Cedar Creek wildfire which is burning east of us.  Oakridge, a town in our county about 45 miles away has been evacuated and the highway to it is closed.   

Hoping to get out from under the smoke, we headed to the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge around 55 miles   North of us.  

 

     

We are not in  danger here in Eugene and staying indoors because of the smoke drift is a small sacrifice, but it did  really feel  good to see some blue sky.

 

Pintail Marsh

And seeing wildlife is always a bonus.     We stopped to walk around at the  Pintail Marsh Trail and overlook.  

 

There were lots of birds, but they were pretty far away from shore.   It was also hot and quite windy.  It's not good to even think about wind during fire season.   

 

 

In fact, there were windy conditions here at home also and the day after our drive, utility companies in our county shut down power in rural areas as a safety precaution.  

 

 When we left the wildlife refuge, we drove to the village of Buena Vista where we took this small ferry a distance of 720 feet across the Willamette River.    Ferry service has existed here since 1852.  Back then this connection provided  settlers a much easier way to cross the river.    Nowadays, there are other ways to get from Marion to Polk County, with not too much more effort.  But for the $3.00 crossing fee, this electrically-operated modern version was much more fun than driving.  

 

We watched this Osprey nest while we waited for the ferry to cross back to where we were the first (and only) car in line to board.  Actually, I barely had time to get out of the car and snap a couple of pictures.   

 

LINKING this week to the following, with thanks to the hosts:

THROUGH MY LENS; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS;  and SATURDAY CRITTERS    

 

Comments

[Margy]

I've been thinking about you with the hurricane in Florida. Do you have any word yet about what has happened at your place? - Margy

[Angie]

Sallie - we had a week or so when the smoke was so thick here we could not see the hills beyond the lake. It was partly a fire about 15 miles from us, and partly smoke from Idaho. It finally cleared and we are grateful. Interesting that the utility companies would shut off power as a precaution - sounds like a lesson learned from California. Love the ferry - especially that it is electrically powered.

[Gaelyn]

I hope the fire is out by now. So far behind reading. Love those old ferries.

[Linda W]

Neat pictures. Stay safe.

[Adam Jones]

So nice to see those Ospreys.

[ellen b.]

I recognize those smoky skies but we are far away from them right now. Glad you could get out and enjoy some wildlife. Cheers from Oxford!

[Diane Bohlen]

That was an interesting drive. So sorry to hear that you are affected by the fires. Sad to hear a whole town had to be evacuated. Hope the fires ease as winter approaches. We have friends who moved to USA and live in Colorado but their daughter has just been accepted to do her doctorate at Eugene University.

[Lavender Dreams]

I know you were glad to get out in nature. I hope and pray the fires are out soon. Love seeing that big Osprey nest. I haven't seen an Osprey in a long time. But our weather is better now so hopefully we'll get to drive to the coast soon.

[Andree]

I'm so sorry that you and so many others are suffering with the fires. Keep safe! You have a true refuge there; not just for animals now, right? Thank goodness.

[David Gascoigne]

I am sure it was a great relief to get away from the smoke, Sallie. I don't think that people appreciate what a huge issue it is. We recently met a couple who moved from British Columbia to Ontario after dealing with poor air quality year after year. They were our first genuine climate migrants!

[mae]

The fires sound ominous — like they are the precursor of something even worse, even bigger. I’m glad they are still far away from you and that you can get out and away.

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Diane]

Thanks for the visit and the comment. Belated HB to you also I am 1943!!
Take care Diane

[Eileen]

Hello, Sallie,

Wonderful sightings of the ducks and the Osprey. The wildlife refuges are fun to visit. There is always something great to see.
I hope you and your family are safe from the wildfires. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.

[Shiju Sugunan]

Sorry about the wildfire. The Osprey nest looks awesome.

[Breathtaking]

Hello Sallie :=)

We have also had wildfires near us. It's frightening when everything is so dry, and when smoke and falling ash is in the air. You did the right thing to get away from it to breath in fresh air and visit a wildlife refuge. Lovely scenery with smoke free blue sky, bird pictures,...great capture of the Osprey, and what looked like an enjoyable ferry trip. I hope the smoke doesn't linger for too long and everyone can breath in fresh air again.
All the best.

[A ShutterBug Explores]

So sorry you had to 'leave town' but look the beautiful place you found and such lovely wildlife and photos ~ Xo

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days ~ Xo

A ShutterBug Explores ~
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[Peter B.]

The Ferry crossing looks like fun, and a bargain price! Glad you are safe from the fires.

[Jm, Illinois, U.S.A.]

Ferry rides are so fun! I am awed by your image of the Osprey nest. Glad you were able to get away from the smoke, fire and no electricity. Is the electric back on now?

[Ms. Donyarific]

The Osprey nest looks awesome! I love the fall, together with the sights and smells. I hope you get better air quality soon and get to enjoy it more. Cheers!

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

Good post.

[Photo Cache]

Nice outing photos. Hope you get better air quality.

[Soma @ InkTorrents.com]

The smoke and the air quality can be so horrible. Good that you were able to get away for a while and enjoy the blue sky. Fantastic photos, really love the first one. Hope the smoke clears up soon so you can enjoy the outdoors even more.

-Soma

[Alycia Quiltygirl]

Gosh you got to some beautiful country!! I sure hope those fires get out soon - sorry about the smoke!!!

[Beatrice]

Thanks, Sallie, for letting us know you were not in any danger and hope the fires will be out soon. It is nice to have been able to get out and visit the refuge. The ferry ride looked like fun as well. Thanks also for the lovely comment on my recent family post.

[Alan]

Glad you were able to get out and see some of nature. Great to see all the waterfowl. It's been a while since we have the hot, dry, windy weather during a fire season but I remember the uncomfortable anxiety of it all.

[Carol]

I understand getting antsy from staying inside. Love all your photos from the wildlife refuge - lovely! Stay safe and sane!

[Traude "Rostrose"]

Dear Sally, I think you did well to escape the "smoke quarantine" to a nature reserve and you saw many birds even if they were far away. But wind and fire really are a tricky combination...
We also love taking ferries across rivers, it's much more romantic than driving across bridges :-D A great Osprey sighting was added as a bonus!
All the best from Austria,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/09/juli-august-2022-teil-2-und-weiter-geht.html

[Antonia]

Mala cosa son los incendios. En España hemos tenido en algunas zonas incendios, que se agraván por la extrema sequedad que padecemos.

[Veronica Lee]

I never tire of your beautiful photos, Sallie.

I hope that the fires are out soon.

Stay safe, dear friend 💚💙🧡

[Life Images by Jill, West Australia]

We have sea eagles nesting along one of our river-side walks, and on Monday we saw a clutch of baby ducklings with mother and father hovering. Stay safe from the fires, enjoy your week.

[William Kendall]

Another blogger out that way has noted the issues with smoke.

[Sognafaret]

Summer feeling

[Denise A Gullickson]

I hope that fire is put out soon. Take good care of yourselves out there. Loved all the photos!

[Jennifer Jilks]

Our osprey will leave us soon!
Sorry about the smoke. It must be awful.

[Amy]

oh no, make sure you stay safe there aye. I'm guessing thats one of the perils of Summer/late Summer. We sometimes have that happen here with fires in various parts of the country but not alot, Australia seems to get bush fires more than we do and theirs are deadly.

[Sharon Wagner]

Now that fall has arrived, I'm ready to begin osprey watching duty. (My flovember Florida fun!)

[Sondra]

Hi Sallie..great looking spot...I see Yellowlegs for sure and my eye sight has become so bad I cant make out the ducks Shoveler maybe...hope the fire is out soon. Happy Week/

[Eileen]

Hello,
I always love visiting the wildlife refuges. The ducks are cute and I love the Osprey. The ferry ride looks fun. The views are beautiful. I hope the fires are out, everyone stays safe.
Take care, enjoy your day! Have a happy new week!