As Autumn Fades

Published November 7, 2010

I read about this spot when I was driving up to Seattle from LA.  It was in one of those brochures about roadside attractions they have in racks at rest stops.  I’ve been meaning to go check it out every since then. Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve is only about 25 miles from me.  But alas, there is Traffic between here and there.  Lots of it.

Anyway, I got there just before sunset the other day.  It was beautiful.  I will definitely be going back.

The beautiful fall colors are fading now, but winter brings it’s own rewards.  I met another photographer there who goes there often.  This was actually my second visit, and I saw him both times.  The first evening he told me that he had seen two eagles feeding on the water and lots of geese flying in.  I saw the geese myself.  It gave me chills to see and hear them flying overhead in formation.  What is it about the sight of wild geese flying that is so invigorating?

The second evening when I passed him, he told me excitedly that the first swans of the season had arrived.  There were four of them on the far side of the lake.  It was almost dark by the time I saw them, but there they were.  My first glimpse of swans in the wild.  Meanwhile a (huge!) great blue heron flew right over my head.  Oh, I’ll be back.