Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge and Myrtle Falls

We drove into Bonners Ferry yesterday and went about 5 miles west of town and visited the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.  About 3500 acres of land in size, the wetland was developed in response of the change in environment where a once lush and wetland existed, farming took over and hence the birds lost their natural habitat.  Migratory birds that once fed on the marshes began to raid the crops of the farms.  In 1964 the Refuge was developed to provide a natural resting place and an area for birds to forage as they migrated either north or south.

Kootenai River

Great representation of the size of the birds and wing span

Back drop is the Cabinet Mountains

Vultures eating a carcass

The size of this dragonfly!

Beginning of our walk to Myrtle Falls

Got information from the office and drove along the auto tour route where you can see a variety of birds and mammals.  If you are lucky which we weren’t, you could see moose grazing in the ponds or along the Deep Creek.  The ranger said that she had seen a mother moose and her baby grazing by Deep Creek the other day. We did see white tailed deer (we found these deer very unusual - long necks, long tails, heavy body with more weight on their back ends), herons, an Eastern Kingbird, vultures circling overhead and then landing and feeding on a carcass.  Of course, we were there about noon and most birds and animals are not out during the day, the best time to view is early morning or near dusk.

Water gushing by

Lush greenery, on our way to the Falls

Sap running gown tree - was glistening and wet

There are some trails to walk and we chose to walk to Myrtle Creek Falls.  A short 1/4 mile hike, paved for some of the way and then a gentle sloping trail up to a viewing platform of the falls.  An iron bridge over Deep Creek and benches along side would provide a lovely resting area.

The Myrtle Creek Falls

Bridge over Myrtle Creek

Saw the falls, a tidge disappointed that two very large trees blocked much of the view but the roar and spray of the falls was impressive.  A granite bench with a wright iron design - very impressive - was right at the viewing area.  We wondered by late summer how forceful the water run off would be.

Young man and his son - with their robot ATVs

On our way back, when we crossed back over the iron bridge, 2 young men were guiding their remote off-road vehicles ATVs and watched and talked with them for awhile.  A large group of people often gather in various places and run their ATVs and trucks around the backwoods.  A cute family thing to do.

Abundance of Great Blue Herons

Deep Creek - 2 white tail deers, one just crossed and one in grass to right

The tail is so long! Kinda looked like a greyhound and deer mixture

Big area, lots of ponds of wetlands

Body structure and long white tail, plus longer neck and big ears!

Eastern Kingbird