We had to again drive through a residential neighborhood in order to find it, but we did find it. There was a little converted house that they used for the nature center, and the several acres around it were kept as wild as possible, while maintaining the trails and visibility for visitors. Inside the nature center we met this young lady that was very helpful and more than happy to show us all the exhibits they had inside. She showed us the bee-hive they had, with the queen marked with a red stripe, and told us about the hive history and activities.
She showed us the nest-cam they had with young Violet Green Swallows, (Tachycineta thalassina), about to fledge. We watched as mom would return to the nest, feed the young ones and fly away. One or two would creep to the edge of the nest and look around as if they were going to try to fly, and we would run to the window where we could see the nest box and see the little one's head poking out. Then they would back into the nest and wait for mom.
During our trip we saw Violet Green Swallows and Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) often. We also saw Northwestern Crows (Corvus corinus) everywhere from our condo to Whistler. I am making that i.d. as the book shows their range from northern Washington to southern Alaska along the coastline. The American Crow, (Corvus brachyrinchos), shows ranges inland from that and covering the rest of the country. These were definitely crows, and possibly somewhat smaller, otherwise, there was no difference between the two. By range alone I decided to make the i.d. and count it as a lifer for me.
Swan Lake was a beautiful little place, with a wooden dock for viewing, a floating bridge to cross the lake to another little wooded area, with viewing areas along the way. From the viewing dock we saw Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), Mallard ducks with babies, but no swans. On the trail to the nature center we found a small Garter Snake.
(Common Yellowthroat talking to us as we walked out on the viewing deck).
Inside the nature center, the young lady told me of a nest or two the Marsh wrens (Cistothorus palustris)had built right next to the floating bridge. Andi gave her foot a rest while I braved the bridge.
(This is the Marsh Wren nest, look closely through the reeds to see the entrance hole)
(This is the little Marsh Wren making a spectacle of himself near a nest).
I found the nests pretty easily, seeing the little balls of weaved rushes swaying int the slight breeze at the top of the reeds next to the bridge. I also saw some pond turtles lined up on a nearly submerged log, as well as a mother Mallard with several babies lined up on their own log.
Across the bridge I found another nest, with the help of the Marsh Wren making quite a show of himself. He kept calling and flitting about gaining my attention that I began looking under him and found another little ball of weaved rushes. These little birds (about three and one-half to four inches long), are usually heard but difficult to see as they work their way into the reeds and stay there. This little guy was at the top of the reeds and singing loudly and often.
Just past this was a small backwater that had several napping Mallards in amongst the lily pads. I saw a couple at first, then as I continued to look, more appeared, like one of those Bev Doolittle paintings. (Luckily no wolves or bears came out of the scene).
(Momma Mallard and some babies resting on a nearly submerged log).
On the other side of the bridge the path opened into a small meadow surrounded by large trees with a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)sitting in a small tree next to the path singing away. There was a Spotted Towhee or two,(Pipilo maculatus), and Red-Winged Blackbirds, (Agilaius phoeniceus).
At the front of the nature center we saw a tall pine that was topped off, and on the top was a Northern Flicker, (Colptes auratus). This is a type of woodpecker that is brown-gold instead of the usual black and white configurations of other woodpeckers.
This was another calm and beautiful location with lots of wildlife that I wouldn't mind returning to. Another good find by my wife. The nature center had used books for sale, souvenirs, and lots of good information about the surrounding areas. They had the bird cam, and the live bee-hive that was a kick to see. There were pictures of birds and other creatures that visited or lived at the lake, as well as live frogs, lizards, snakes and salamanders in cages to see.
You might be a birdnerd if...you get a kick out of a small nature center, and it is one of the highlights of your vacation, and you are an adult, not a pre-teen.
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