William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge Muddy Oak Forest Hike


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Heather and I went for a hike in the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge.  The refuge is just a little south of Corvallis.  As it is bird season, we hiked through the oak forest rather than out in the grasslands.  The grasslands are closed during migration season to allow the birds a place where they can rest on their flights.

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A boardwalk through the muddier parts of the forest.

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Lots of oak trees.  The refuge is starting to actively manage the forest now.  They have removed conifer trees and some smaller oaks that were choking out heritage oaks.

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This is one particularly massive heritage oak.  I had to stitch together a bunch of photos in an attempt to capture the whole thing.

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Driving out of the refuge.  I believe we might be seeing some of The Three Sisters in the distance.

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Lots of snow in the mountains.

STA_6018-STG_6031The Willamette Valley sure is beautiful!

 

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