Happy Birthday, Walla Walla!

Officers' Quarters (1858) from Fort Walla Walla still grace the old parade ground at the Veterans' Hospital.

© Diane B. Reed

Walla Walla is celebrating its 150th birthday, a celebration that began in 2009 and wraps up this year. Today, a special edition of Walla Walla Lifestyles came with the Walla Walla Union Bulletin. In the magazine is a Sesquicentennial insert which I wrote several articles for; I also assembled vintage illustrations and took some of the photographs for the piece.

Sesquicentennial marker dedicated on November 17, 

2009, located at the corner of E. Main Street 

and S. Second Avenue. © Diane B. Reed

     In the course of the project, I found myself appreciating the history of our remarkable town even more. It's hard for us to imagine how remote this area was at the time of its founding, and how much our history is based on Walla Walla as a supply hub for the inland Northwest and frontier outpost. It's also surprising that Walla Walla was larger than Seattle until the 1880s.
     There are still lots of Sesquicentennial activities in the offing, including special presentations at Fourth of July in the Park at Pioneer Park. Living History performers from Fort Walla Walla Museum will be attending; you can also catch them leading historical tours from the Farmers' Market this summer and performing at Fort Walla Walla Museum throughout the year.

Bronze sculpture of Peo-Peo-Mox-Mox by Roger McGee 

at W. Rose Street and Third Avenue. © Diane B. Reed

     I hope that folks will read the special insert, and purchase extra copies of the Sesquicentennial insert at Fourth of July in the Park or at Fort Walla Walla's gift shop. Other available items include a commemorative coin and posters.

Happy Birthday, Walla Walla!

Welcome Summer?

Young Great Horned Owl near Bennington Lake in Walla Walla waits for its parents to return with a meal

© Diane B. Reed

Today is the first day of summer, though it seems as though spring has barely established itself. Still, the birds and animals have been busy raising families despite the cold and rainy spring. It is a wonderful thing to watch the earth and its creatures renew themselves. Here's a thoughtful poem by Mary Oliver that evokes our transition from spring to summer and asks us to think about what we're going to do with our own lives. 

Great Blue Heron  © Diane B. Reed

The Summer Day

by Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

Competition

Osprey drives Swainson's Hawk off his perch © Diane B. Reed

Yesterday a Swainson's Hawk visited the Walnut tree that overlooks the pond, much to the consternation of the little birds that hang out at the feeders and in the yard. He was back on his perch this morning for awhile, then flew up into a nearby Sycamore tree. Unfortunately, he picked the favorite perch of one of our Osprey regulars, who flew in and flew into action, driving him off the perch. The action continued across the pond, where the Osprey landed on his favorite snag on the island. The hawk retaliated, and they flew at each other. The Osprey eventually prevailed and the hawk flew off.

Swainson's Hawk                                      © Diane B. Reed

It was an interesting confrontation, and I can't decide if it was over the perch, or a territorial initiative. Since the Osprey primarily eat fish and amphibians and the Swainson's Hawk eats rodents and insects, they're hardly in competition for food. My guess is that their tussle was over a perceived intrusion  into the  Osprey's territory.

Fishing derby at Lions Park © Diane B. Reed

Speaking of competition, yesterday was the annual fishing derby at the pond sponsored by the Lions. On Friday the pond was stocked with hatchery fish. It was guarded overnight by the Boy Scouts, and the fishing derby began at 8 a.m. 

Friday night there were several Great Blue Heron who seemed to have heard about the stocking and flew in for a look. These herons are solitary most of the time and several loud confrontations ensued. Having driven off the competition, the victor immediately waded into a shallow area and speared a fat trout, making short work of the fish. 

Great Blue Heron          © Diane B. Reed

I'm thankful we don't have to work as hard as these birds (and other animals) do to feed ourselves. Just head out for the grocery store and you can forage for everything you need. And except for the occasional shopping cart dodging, other shoppers don't challenge your being there or fight you for a can of beans or a head of lettuce.

Walla Walla Balloon Stampede

"Outer Limits" kisses the moon over Walla Walla       © Diane Reed

A sure sign of spring in Walla Walla was the opening of the farmers' market last weekend, followed this weekend by the Balloon Stampede. The early-morning ascensions (launched today from area schools) are something to see, and today was no exception. All over town necks are craned to catch a glimpse.

Firing the burner, Walla Walla Balloon Stampede    © Diane Reed

The fun is just beginning, with activities at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds over the weekend. Ascensions are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday mornings, weather permitting. The spectacular Nite Glow is scheduled for Saturday night at the fairgrounds, and there's lots of other activities throughout the weekend. The weather looks great for the weekend, so come on out! 

For a printable schedule of events visit the Chamber of Commerce web site. 

A Strange Season

White-crowned Sparrows                                   © Diane Reed

It's been a strange spring, with periods of cold and rain, intense sun, spectacular lightning storms, and a persistent icing of snow on the Blue Mountains. A few Wigeons stuck around the pond much longer than usual, and a bout of stormy weather brought a pair of Cinnamon Teal. Our Osprey has returned and makes multiple visits to the pond every day, no doubt feeding nestlings. He's been very successful, diving into the pond and snatching up one of the trout, often to the astonishment of the kids who enjoy fishing in the pond. At times he dives within ten feet of them, dropping into the water like an arrow.

Mallard and Cinnamon Teal                            © Diane Reed

The pond has been full to overflowing for the last week. It's fed by Garrison Creek and rises and falls with the various downpours. It also keeps the pond fresh and charged with nutrients. The muskrats seem to be reveling in the rise and fall, though it must be a challenge for them to access their burrow under the pond's island. We haven't seen the mink so far, but he'll probably turn up.

Goldfinch in summer feather  © Diane Reed

A sure sign of spring is the changing plumage of the birds, particularly the goldfinches, now bright yellow against an often threatening sky.

At least one sign of spring is the arrival of fresh asparagus. We'll overdose for a few weeks, fixing it every imaginable way. We've planted the tomatoes and peppers in the garden, and the Walla Walla Farmers Market opens on Saturday. Life is good in the Walla Walla Valley! 

Spring in the Wings

The Osprey has returned to Lions Park Pond                       © Diane B. Reed

Among the indicators of spring at the pond are comings and goings. We've been anticipating the migration of our flock of Wigeons and the return of the Osprey that frequents the pond during the summer and shoulder seasons. On Thursday as I walked down our street I heard a familiar call overhead. Looking up, I saw an Osprey soaring high above, seeming to announce his return.

Graupel on our deck                                   © Diane B. Reed

Although I've been on the lookout for him, I was a bit surprised to see him, in part because Wednesday had begun with a wild weather show including driving rain, graupel, and brilliant sunshine. But I imagine that he's smart enough to lay low when the weather turns bad on his journey.  Still, he seemed ecstatic to have arrived in his summer home. By Friday he had visited all his favorite perches around the pond.  He didn't seem to find anything to his liking, but he'll  have much better luck after the pond is stocked just before the Lions Club Fishing Derby on May 19. This even kicks off the best fishing at the pond (restricted to kids under 14) and for our Osprey.