The Red-Tailed Hawks Go Birding on the Skagit Flats

The Red-Tailed Hawks met for another extended outing as part of their final Explorers Club season. In contrast to their last three outings, we would not be heading out into the backcountry, but rather to the Skagit Flats to observe some resident and migratory birds.

The Red-Tailed Hawks' last outing was up near the Mt Baker Ski Area where we got to experience winter weather in the mountains and practice our snow cave digging skills. Our birding outing brought us all the way back down to sea level, and specifically to the delta of the north fork of the Skagit river, many miles away from its own headwaters in the North Cascades.

The Skagit Flats area (including Wiley Slough, where we explored together) has been designated as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site because of its importance as habitat for resident and migratory birds. Additionally, this area has been recognized as important estuarine habitat for juvenile Chinook salmon and has received protection and habitat restoration because of this.

On our way down to the Skagit Flats, we took some time to talk about birds that we expected to see together. Our collective birding knowledge allowed us to accumulate a small list including some migratory waterfowl as well as some resident raptors and herons. We even saw a few geese and ducks from the bus on our drive down! We were prepared with plenty of binoculars and field guides to seek out these birds that we hoped to see as well as others that may be less familiar to us.

After parking the bus, we held an opening circle in the park shelter. The mentors passed around various bird props, beaks, skeletons and pictures as we held a discussion about bird migration and bird specific adaptations. We learned that the Skagit Flats is a very important stopping place for many species of migratory birds. Some of these birds are passing through to places farther south in the winter, while others come to spend their whole winter right here. For example, there is a population of Lesser Snow Geese that visit the Skagit Flats that breed exclusively on Wrangel Island in Russia!

Holding an opening circle

The rest of our day was spent meandering through the estuary on the trails and doing our best to stay quiet and observe as many birds as we could. We saw some of our favorite residents including bald eagles, great blue herons, spotted towhees and a kingfisher. Additionally, we saw migratory birds including bufflehead and trumpeter swan. We observed the murmurations of a flock of unidentified shorebirds (click here for a beautiful video of this happening; its even shot in the Skagit valley!) and saw whole flocks of ducks scatter as a bald eagle soared above.

We enjoyed utilizing some bird blinds

Evidence of a struggle

Saw some of the salmonberry flowers of the year!

We did make it all the way out to where the Skagit river met the Salish Sea and here we had an extended, hour-long, sit spot. Many Red-Tailed Hawks admitted that this was the time in which they saw the most bird activity because of the quiet and calm nature of the sit spot.

An awesome, expansive setting for our sit spot

A Red-Tailed Hawk enjoys some solo time during his sit spot

Towards the end of our day, the mentors helped the Red-Tailed Hawks revisit a concept that was introduced to them at their first outing (a campout at Welcome Pass Trailhead). This concept is that every person has their own unique relationship with nature. We have been asking the Red-Tailed Hawks to reflect on and examine their own relationship with nature this year. Today, we asked them how they wanted their relationship with nature to look like after the Red-Tailed Hawks graduate from Explorers Club this spring. It was noted that, in the absence of intention and action, our relationships with nature could begin to dissolve as we live in a society that does not value these relationships as much as some other facets of our lives. The mentors appreciated hearing some thoughts from the Red-Tailed Hawks about what their relationship currently looks like and how they would like to maintain and/or alter that relationship going forward.

Heading back from the delta to the bus

Today, the weather was kind to us and we were able to explore the estuarine landscape while staying dry, and even enjoyed some prolonged sunbursts! In addition to this, we heard gratitude for spending time together, birds and taking a break from technology during our closing circle of thanks.

To see the rest of the photos from our day, click here!

The Red-Tailed Hawks Build Snow Caves and Experience the Backcountry in Winter

At Wild Whatcom, we strive to make the Explorer's Club experience place based. We spend lots of time down in the wet, lush lowlands that surround the city of Bellingham so as to better connect to the land that we call home. As the boys grow in age, skill and maturity, we have opportunities to explore places that are further away from home and we can begin to put our lowland ecosystem into context with our larger bioregion. Our favorite low elevation haunts (including Lake Padden, N. Lake Whatcom and the Nooksack Delta) could not exist in the way that they do in the absence of the North Cascades. These steep, remote mountains shove incoming (eastbound) air upward causing water in the air to condense forming clouds and eventually rain. This rain rushes through creeks and rivers bringing sediments down to the base of the mountains and provide fertile soil for flood plain ecosystems. Of course, the healthy snowpack that is made possible by the sheer height of these mountains provides crucial water and fish habitat, especially during the months of August and September when we do not see much precipitation here in Bellingham.  Last week, the Red-Tailed Hawks had their third opportunity to explore in these mountainous ares together. This time, our trusty bus Merkel brought us to our furthest (and highest) point yet, to the Heather Meadows parking lot near the Mt. Baker Ski area.

Our focus for the day was three-fold. 1) We wanted an opportunity to practice building a snow cave. 2) We aimed to cover some basic snow travel fundamentals including some common hazards to be aware of in addition to covering what kind of preparation, gear and skill is needed before heading out into the backcountry in winter. 3) To hone our layering and personal preparedness skills. Digging a snow cave while it is also precipitating outside presents and interesting conundrum. How do I stay warm enough while at the same time avoid sweating, so as not to soak any under layers and cause myself get cold? As you may have expected, the answer is a goldilocks balancing act that requires careful attention to ones body temperature. In the end, the boys would have opportunities to practice all of these skills and gain experience utilizing these principles.

Our adventure started with a parking lot circle and conversation regarding what it means to have a backcountry mindset. Please ask your explorer to explain to you what a backcountry mindset is; this should be sinking in well as we have had this conversation before heading out on our last three outings now.  They should say, somehow in their own vernacular, that a backcountry mindset requires them to be more careful, attentive, responsible and aware than they would normally be in a front country setting. We reviewed that anytime you are in the backcountry, you are in a remote setting that is a great distance (and therefore, time) from definitive medical care. This understanding makes it quite obvious as to why a more responsible attitude and a focused attention to risk management and safety is so important when exploring in these kinds of places.

Just through the gate - ready to head out!

This conversation was reinforced well by a visit that we set up before hand with a Mt Baker Pro Patroller (Kaden) as we crossed through the backcountry gate on our way out of the Heather Meadows parking lot. Kaden was kind enough to spend some time talking to us about what his job at the mountain is, what kind of risk he is tasked with managing and some common hazards that we face when traveling in snow. He also shared with us some of the more common mistakes that he sees people make in the backcountry that puts themselves and others in danger.  We were grateful to form a new community connection with the Mt Baker Pro Patrol and appreciate the time, skill, experience and wisdom that Kaden was willing to share with us today.

We then headed (post-holing the whole way!) past a couple patches of trees and found our basecamp for the day. The boys did a survey and deemed the spot appropriate for our purposes; there were snow banks in which to dig caves and an ample sledding path.

Is this a good spot?

Right off the bat, the Red-Tailed Hawks demonstrated their maturity by anticipating that we would likely appreciate a quick shelter where we could store our packs and get out of the weather at times during our day. The boys quickly got to work clearing an area in the snow, erecting wind-blocking walls and utilizing a tarp that we brought as a roof to build a nice shelter that allowed us to reduce our exposure to the elements for the remainder of the day. Good call boys!

Finishing up our shelter

Can all of us Hawks fit in there?

We enjoyed a break inside of our new shelter to eat some food and hydrate in preparation for our snow cave challenge that was coming after lunch.

Looks like we all fit - time for some food!

For the snow cave challenge, the Red-Tailed Hawks were split into two groups that would work alternately in shifts on the same snow cave. This way, everyone would get to be involved in the design, and no one person would end up working more than the others.

During their "off" shifts, the boys did some snow pack and layer analysis with the mentors. They also got a chance to use a probe and learn about how that tool is utilized up in the snow (both as a measuring tool as well as part of an avalanche rescue toolkit).

We can track the weather in the layers of the snowpack

Learning about probes

At one point today, the boys reverted back to behavior that we as mentors consider to be expected of Red-Tailed Eyas, but certainly not Red-Tailed Hawks. Apparently, during the digging of the snow cave, the boys decided to bury some of the groups gear (packs, thermoses, water bottles) as a joke. Upon their discovery, the mentors immediately held a very frank circle and helped to boys understand how their juvenile behavior was actually a safety problem. How can we all stay safe if our only warm and dry layers are now wet because our backpacks were buried? How can we stay hydrated if we loose a water bottle in the snow? What if one of the packs that was buried contained the first aid kit and we needed it in a hurry? This lapse in judgment on the part of the Red-Tailed Hawks provided a perfect opportunity for us all to see how seemingly silly and innocent goofiness can have real consequences in a backcountry setting.

Are we Eyas or Hawks? Action speaks

At the end of our day, we held a focused debrief regarding our snow cave and its design, as well as how well we worked together as a team. The mentors thought the snow cave was impressive. Ask your explorer about the basics of snow cave design - the Hawks did a good job of incorporating the important fundamentals of snow cave construction into the one that they built together on this outing.

A great sleeping bench!

Of course, every day together ends with an Attitude of Gratitude circle and this day was no different. We gave thanks that the forecasted rain instead fell as snow.  We gave thanks for the fact that we have these mountains so close by to where we live. One of us gave thanks simply for getting to spend a whole day together with most of the Red-Tailed Hawks.

Okay, we were grateful for sledding too!

On the bus ride home, we warmed our cold hands and feet and looked forward to our next outing: birding at the Skagit River Wildlife Area! To see the rest of the photos from our day, click here!

Red-Tailed Hawks Savor Fall Colors in the High Country near Hannegan Pass

The Red-Tailed Hawks met for their second outing of their final year on an absolutely beautiful fall day. The cool, clear weather, the explosion of fall colors, and mostly vacant trails are great reasons to get into the backcountry of the North Cascades this time of year. Before we loaded onto Moose, one of our Wild Whatcom busses, he had a circle and reminded ourselves of the increased risk of exploring deeper in the woods and agreed that we would maintain a backcountry mindset for the remainder of our day together.

Finding Pikas among the boulders near the trailhead

When we arrived at the trailhead, we took a moment to gather our packs as the mid-morning sun melted the last remaining patches of snow that fell the night before. Before setting out on the trail, the mentors prompted us to identify where we were. We used our collective knowledge and understanding to place ourselves near the headwaters the Nooksack watershed.

Lion's Mane fungus

One of the great aspects of the Hannegan Pass Trail is that it traverses along one side of a valley, alternating between avalanche chutes full of slide alder and vine maple and sections of old growth hemlock and fir forests. On a nice day, like the one that we had, you can see all the way across the valley and see the snow-dusted craggy peaks on the other side. On this hike, the stunning vistas were not located solely at the destination.

The Red-Tailed Hawks were appreciative of the fact that we were granted with so many great views along the way because we never made it to the pass. We have a motto in EC that states, “It’s about the journey, not the destination,” and the RTHs embodied this today. We took many breaks to observe bright yellow and red vine maple leaves, to find some mugwort, and to identify the tall, old conifers in the old growth forests along the way. Of course, we also took time to enjoy our lunches and hot chocolate while appreciating the stunning views across the valley.

A quick trail break for some food and water

Checking out some mugwort

Our first glimpse of Ruth Mountain as we come out of the forest

Ruth Mountain at the head of the valley

Back down at the trailhead, we took some time to talk about our EMA program and what being an EMA means. In our EC mentoring community, we often talk about how, “you teach who you are.” We asked the RTHs to think of and share some aspect of themselves that they plan to embody and/or bring to the younger group during their time as an EMA. This exercise did an effective job of highlighting how much experience and wisdom that the RTHs have. The younger groups are lucky to have the RTHs out with them as EMAs.

To finish, we had a circle of thanks where we practiced our attitude of gratitude just like we always do. We also shared excitement as we anticipated our next outing where we will be practicing the Art of Shelter by building snow caves!

To see the rest of the glorious photos from our day together, click here.

The Red-Tailed Hawks Set the Tone for Their Final Year Together

Every Explorers Club group gets a name given to them when they begin their journey together. As the groups age, they grow, learn and gain experience together.  After they have had a few years under their belts, the mentors let the group know that they can now change their name if they want, as long as they can all come to a consensus about what that name should be. Some groups change their names to reflect particularly challenging outings that they have had (Storm Wolves, Daredevils Club, Vespula Veterans). Other groups choose to change their name when they feel that they are entering a new stage in their Explorers Club journey. So, at the end of our inaugural campout of their last season together in Explorers Club, the Red-Tailed Eyas sat on a thick bed of moss under a towering old growth Hemlock and decided to change their name and become the Red-Tailed Hawks!

Our trusty steed, Moose

Now that you know how this weekend ended, let's start at the beginning. We gathered at Samish Woods and we shared stories of summer and reconnected with those members of our group that we hadn’t seen for a few months. Before we got on the bus, however, the mentors felt that it was important to introduce (or remind) us of what a “backcountry mindset” looks like.

The mentors let us know that, because we were going to be much further from definitive medical care (aka, in the backcountry), we would need to adopt a new way of being that was different from our behavior and attitudes on our usual, frontcountry explorations together. Together, we anticipated hazards and discussed actions that we could take to mitigate these hazards and the increased risk of being in the backcountry. We all agreed to “dial it back” before we got onto the bus and to keep living within that backcountry mindset for the next two days.

It was late morning by the time that we reached the Welcome Pass Trailhead, which was also our campsite. We took some time to scurry around in our new surroundings before we decided where to set up camp. We the RTHs are adept shelter builders and we utilized our knowledge of how to pick a proper site for a survival shelter to inform where we setup our tents. Once our sites had been picked, our mentors gave us our tent groups and tents and left us to our own devices for setting up our and organizing our gear inside of them.

Once we had taken care of getting the camp set up, the mentors allowed us to decide for ourselves how to use the next couple of hours. The forest floor was covered in thick moss and the pit and mound topography of these woods made our choice to play a game of Spider’s Web an easy one.

After the game we came back to camp to have a snack and, as is so often is the case with adolescent males, some roughhousing broke out. It was playful and all in good fun, however we had done a poor job of considering our backcountry mindset in this instance. The mentors tried to remind us to tone it down but we just couldn’t listen. After continuing to make unsafe decisions after we had been reminded to be more aware and intentional with our bodies, the mentors had to call us into a circle so that they could relay the importance of staying safe in the backcountry. The mentors found that, once we were all in a circle, we listened much better. High school is just around the corner for us, and the mentors let us in on some of the new responsibilities that we would have to take on as we entered young adulthood. As a group, we came away from that circle with an improved understanding of responsibility and a new awareness of what that responsibility needs to look like in our actions and choices.

Snacking

Our campout centered around what it means to be the eldest Explorers Club group and how we can get the most out of our last year together. We explored the idea of responsibility and maturity through a variety of different avenues. During an hour long sit spot, we had the opportunity to ponder what our relationship to nature looks and feels like. We spent time exploring old growth climax succession forests where cedar and hemlock dominate the canopy and shade out the understory. That leaves the forest floor covered with thick moss and sparsely spaced shade tolerant sword fern, huckleberry and hemlock saplings. We shared stories of our younger Explorer selves in order to see how much we have grown individually and as a group across a broad range of skills. We shared some of our trepidations about high school and about disbanding as a group next year. We also got the share with each other our answers the the question, “Why are you here, doing Explorer’s Club?”  It was inspiring for the mentors to see this kind of growth and depth from a group who not so long ago shirked new responsibility because childishness was so much more comfortable and easy.

A relativley young forest still full of small, tightly packed Douglas firs

Because of the steepness, smoke, and coming rain, the RTH decided to turn around at this point on our hike (about half way) They chose to spend the remainder of our day in a beautiful patch of old growth forest just off Hwy 542.

Huge downed trees provide excellent climbing structures..

... and great ways to move through the forest!

Returning to the bus after our closing circle.

The mentors felt honored and privileged to get to be a part of the Red-Tailed Eyas maturation into the Red-Tailed Hawks this past weekend. The mentors have been encouraging the RTHs to lean into new responsibility and maturity for a while now, but ultimately the RTHs decided to take that step together, on their own time. We are excited to see how this shift manifests in our coming outings and throughout our final year together.

Red Tailed Eyas Stretch Edges and Look Forward at Deming Homestead Eagle Preserve.

The Red Tailed Eyas completed their 2016-2017 season with an exciting, truly adventurous outing at Deming Eagle Park. There was a certain sense of ceremony to the day, at least for the mentors, because next year, the Red Tailed Eyas will be the eldest group of explorers in BEC. In an inspiring illustration of that transition, the RTEs leaned into the challenges of the day and intentionally made the choice to stretch their edges!

We piled into Moose (one of our trusty Wild Whatcom busses!) and headed for Deming Homestead Eagle Park for an extended outing. We were fortunate to get the best that spring weather has to offer with mostly clear skies and comfortable, warm temperatures. These conditions allowed us to go further today, and we are grateful for that.

Our plan for the day was to walk across a few hundred yards of an alluvial plain to eventually reach the bank of the Nooksack. We expected this to be a mostly dry hike with a few minor water crossings. Reality would offer up a different set of circumstances.

Upon reaching the park, we noticed that there was water almost up to the parking area! It turns out the recent rains combined with the sunny, warm weather of the day had caused lots of melting to occur in higher elevations, greatly increasing the flow of the Nooksack. We met as a group to make a decision about how we wanted to move forward with our day. Would we attempt to cross the cold, thigh deep water in an attempt to reach the main stem of the Nooksack, without knowing for sure if we would even be able to make it? Or would we decide to explore and play games in the meadows near the parking lot for the day?

Making decisions

We found a snake today too!

Knowing that we would likely be uncomfortable, cold, disoriented, and quite muddy at certain points of the day, we decided, in spite of that, that we wanted to go forth and attempt to find the main stem of the Nooksack. The mentors were impressed with the compassion that we showed each other by listening to each members reservations about the plan and collectively seeking ways to help each other feel good about our plan. Upon reaching the consensus, we prepared to cross some very cold water.

After sending out some scouts, we identified the best area to cross the first stream. We utilized our navigation skills and our resiliency as we made our way through dense thickets, crossed cold water that occasionally reached as high as our waist, and slopped through deep mud pits! Despite all of these challenges, we maintained a positive attitude that was contagious.

We followed our best instinct and used clues in the landscape to find our way to main stem of the Nooksack. Upon reaching the open stream bank, we allowed the suns strong rays to warm our bodies to the core.

Sunshine on the Nooksack

Soaking it allllll in

  

Cooling off in the chilly water

  

Somewhere in all that sand, there is an explorer!

After a quick activity that highlighted the natural tendency of humans to exclude one another, the mentors sat us down for a conversation about community. The mentors appreciated the courage we exhibited by sharing some of our personal experiences with bullying during this conversation. Being in the thick of middle school, hormones and growing pains, protecting each others emotional safety is a paramount responsibility for all members of our group. With this in mind, we renewed our commitment to maintaining a safe space at Explorers Club. The mentors noticed that, especially after this transformative year of exploration, we have reached a point in our maturity that we are able to have these serious discussions, and for that they are grateful.

This outing was a triumphant end to a year of important growth for the Red Tailed Eyas. At our closing circle we all gave thanks for our awesome day together. We also built some excitement by looking forward to next year, when two of our nine outings will be over nights! After changing into some dry clothes that (some of us!) had bought, we piled back into the bus and headed back to Bellingham.

To see the rest of the photos of the day, click here!