Lions and Wolves and Bears- Oh My!

Enjoying wildlife in and around Wallowa Lake is a pastime that can be rewarding at almost any level of effort- but that depends upon just which animal you’re trying to see. While the Deer and Squirrels will often approach you, others will require a lifetime or a lot of luck just to catch a glimpse. 

Whichever animal you’re trying to see, there are always some basic practices that work best:

• Watch during twilight- the transitional times of morning and evening see lots of activity as animals are either waking up or going to their bed.
• Find a place with an expansive view including variable habitat- the forests edge, or a pond in the grassland.
• Sit quietly with binoculars or spotting scope. Most animals don’t recognize people as long as they are still.
• Be patient. While you may not be successful the first time, like any endeavor, perseverance pays.

Barrow"s Goldeneye Pair

Birding is an enjoyable activity that's a little like mystery solving and trivia combined. Because birds share much of their space with us, birding is something most people already engage in, at least casually. All it requires is a decent set of binoculars and maybe a field guide.

The guide below will get you started on some of the birds that are common to our area. The links will take you to a larger image with a link to the Cornell Labs excellent website: All About Birds where you can find out more, including audio.