"In Wildness is the Preservation of the World"

McNary Wildlife Refuge, Walla Walla River Delta.                         © Diane B. Reed

McNary WR Burbank       © Diane B. Reed

The title of this entry is a quote from Henry David Thoreau. I'm not convinced by some folks belief that man was meant to have dominion over nature. I might feel differently if we had demonstrated a willingness and an ability to be stewards of nature. Instead, it seems that there is a sense of entitlement on the part of some people to use and abuse nature and wild places for their own (and often short-sighted) purposes.  So in places recreation takes precedence over a wildlife refuge, and letting your dog chase wildfowl is more important than allowing migrating birds an opportunity to rest on their long journey. Thank heaven for places like  McNary National Wildlife Refuge which is teeming with migratory birds at this time of the year. And there are places in the refuge that are truly just that, refuges.

© Diane B. Reed

There are also plenty of places to watch wildlife from a distance, including the nature trail and bird blind near the Refuge's Environmental Education Center in Burbank. And over the next few months there will be lots of birds migrating, not only at the refuge but in your own back yard.