Wildcat Pond

After the heavy rain a week ago Wildcat Pond

made it's appearance. This is a result of run-off 

from the playground and parking lot etc. It settles 

into this swale that was created when 

Weyerhaeuser was first built. This could be called

a bio filter. It works quite well in holding the 

run-off water and releasing it slowly into a drainage

ditch which flows into Tanwax creek and then the 

Nisqually River. This is the way storm runoff

should be treated.

It is interesting how fast the critters take advantage

of this process. While walking along a Wilsons Snpe

exploded almost from under my feet! These wetland 

type birds are hard too see until you are a few feet 

from them. 

It was probing the soggy soil for insects and worms.

Later in the afternoon a Blue Heron showed up

hoping to find a frog, bug or a soggy Vole 

swimming around.

Blue Heron

Wilsons Snipe