The
Columbia Slough Watershed Council offered a paddle on the Slough from
Whitaker Ponds, and we joined a bunch of nature-loving friends to see what we could see. Other boats saw a turtle and a coyote, and we saw ducklings and a magnificent great blue heron, which kept just ahead of us for a long distance. The canoe launch provides access to 19 miles of the Columbia River Slough, and the trip was intended to show off some of the beauty of this well hidden gem. Then we rambled around Whitaker Ponds with friends Michael and his son Patrick (Michael blogs about sharing nature with Patrick
here.) We first came to Whitaker Ponds years ago for a preschool program in which kids were given nets and a chance to see what they could see in one of the ponds. The kids were fascinated, and it was a revelation for me. Kid+net+pond=magic! The CSWC offers many nature education opportunities there, and Whitaker Ponds is a great place to visit the next time you're in Portland's industrial NE.
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| On the Slough. |
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| The beavers have been busy! |
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| Jasper next to evidence of more beaver mischief. |
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| Ducklings on the pond. |
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| Whitaker Ponds. |
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| Patrick and Jasper exploring. |
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