Theler Wetlands and Woodard Bay, pretty Puget Sound

A couple of January outings, not too far from home, finding beauty between the storms.  First, the Theler Wetlands, in Belfair, Washington.

A view of the Union River Estuary, part of the Theler wetlands

Part of the walkway through the Union River Estuary

Looking out to Hood Canal from the estuary. 

 

 

 

 Then, to the Woodard Bay Conservation Area, near Olympia, Washington

Plenty of storm damage on the Overlook Trail of the Woodard Bay Conservation Area

The sun burning through the fog

More blowdowns on the Loop Trail of Woodard Bay

Looking at Henderson Inlet from Woodard Bay

We walked about four miles on each outing, getting our hiking fix without having to drive to the mountains.  Gotta love living in Washington.

Though no pictures, we saw lots of wildlife:  river otters, goldeneyes, surf scoters, green winged teals, American wigeons, a Cooper's hawk, a fox sparrow, western grebes, hooded mergansers, and mallards.