My pup and I enjoyed the beautiful weather on a 2.2 mile stroll through the Union Bay Naturalist Area on UW campus starting at Yesler Swamp and working our way clockwise to the boathouse strip and back. 32 species in 75 minutes, including brown creepers, red-winged blackbirds, waterfowl, several belted kingfishers, and marsh wrens.

Plenty of joggers, dog walkers, photographers, birders, and a few bikers (I found them pretty annoying; they raced around making deep grooves in the off-trail areas that took some of the natural beauty out of the trip. I understand multi-purpose use, but why do the bikers I've encountered riding in that particular area always seem like they're the only ones deserving of the trail???? Likewise, the 4-5 people holding private conversations on their phones, LOUDLY, while walking were, frankly, annoying.)

I found ample parking available on the street, since I was unaware of parking policy near the Horticulture Center and didn't want to get a ticket. The main paths are passable; if you want access to any marshes for photography of birds, be prepared for some mud.

The best memorable moment was watching an Anna's hummingbird collecting strands of spider silk and delivering it up to the fork of a tree to pad her nest. Spring is here!

Today was a work day but when I arrived at 630 I got canceled! I’d biked to work and had a scheduled maintenance. Taking advantage of this I walked home using this string of wooded and waterfront areas.

Despite it being cold and a little inclement there were tons of birds out, a number of plants were blooming, and all around a surprising amount just going on.

I’m no ornithologist but with a little help from my Merlín app I was capable of identifying ~20 different birds. Most were waterfowl.

Low angle light is wonderful this time of year. Most plants are busy shutting down for the year though the winter garden at the Arboretum features many flowering or simply showy plants.

A great urban ramble. Foster Island was muddy in spots but easily avoided. From end to end I logged about four miles one way, this can easily be shortened or lengthened.

Gorgeous trails near the Center for Urban Horticulture which I highly recommend checking out. Walked through this area on a sunny Friday afternoon with a fellow grad student. Golden light streamed down on us through the beautiful trees. My friend told me there was cottonwood, goldenrod, and tobacco growing here.

The farm is such a lovely space and I'm glad students are reconnecting with the land here, it looks so great. Someone explained to me that native tribes host tobacco ceremonies here sometimes, so cool.

I highly recommend meandering through, it is free and open to the public. The loop that goes near the water is absolutely gorgeous as well. Happy autumn!

Quick walk around the Union Bay Natural Area trails early Sunday morning.  Parking at the Center for Urban horticulture is free though somewhat limited with additional street parking available.  No restroom facilities available.  The trails consist largely of nicely maintained gravel paths with no condition issues currently.  Quite a bit of wildlife out today, a number of blue heron, one green heron, ducks, geese, junco, cormorant, gulls, kingfisher, etc.  A really nice little walk with lots to see. 

Another urban walk from my house to UBNA and the Center for Urban Horticulture. I have done this 7-mile walk quite a few times, but this past year and this year my goal was to go in each season consecutively, so this was the summer version and the final one. Left home about 8:45 am and got to the UW around 9:10--eerie to have Red Square and the Quad completely to myself. Got down to Montlake, and the UBNA area was fairly quiet--a few families and a few birders, along with two larger organized birding groups.  It was getting to be a warm warming. Not much seen except osprey when I was walking through Yesler Swamp. Was actually trying to look for snakes for photos, but no luck. Got back home at 11:30.