Overnight Adventure Salmon Camp 2012
Our Journey today took us from the Salmon Center to the Hamma Hamma River.
Once again our opening circle brought to us a unique group blend and we found our way together to begin a new journey around the canal. Each year the new group of spirits sets the tone for camp, and each year is wonderfully different. As we mention in our opening circle, this group will likely not ever be together for an experience like Salmon Camp. This is our journey for the next four nights.
Today we went to the Skokomish River Watershed. It was like a big marsh or wetland. Seth, our guide, showed us some different plants and big birds like turkey vultures and bald eagles. When we got to the Robbin’s property on the Hamma Hamma River, we explored and set up our tents. We also went swimming in the river. It was so cold!! -Laurel G.
We got to our camp site and we set up, then explored and other went in the freezing water and we all just went back and forth across the river. –Brandon
Good morning! Just woke up to the sound of various noises. First, Dan going around with his drum at six in the morning, giving us the option of going out to watch the sunrise. I passed. Eventually I woke up! Last night we set out some soot trays and this morning we were rewarded with various animal tracks. Looking forward to today’s adventure, who knows what we are going to do next… -Nancy
Yesterday we went to Skokomish River watershed; it was cool. We got to camp and set up our camp; we ate and went swimming. Yeah woo hoo! good bye -Raven
We went to visit the Skokomish Nation’s lands today. We followed our guide, Seth Books, down several long forested roads and thru a gate to reach the Estuary of the Skokomish River, the largest river in Hood Canal. Seth talked to us about the Estuary Restoration project that has been ongoing for the past few years. This project involves extensive dike removals which allow for the return of historic tidal channels that have been blocked for decades. Unlocking these channels not only helps salmon habitat; it helps the Skokomish people reconnect to aspects of their culture that was diminished when the dikes were placed in the delta in order to make farmable land. The farms have since become defunct, but the dikes had remained continued to impede the function of the saltmarsh. Since the dikes have been removed, an example of revival is the return of sweetgrass or three stem bulrush, a saltwater native plant used by the tribe for basket weaving.
Seth talked to us about the various plant communities and the return of salt marsh communities to this delta region. He pointed out the freshwater plant communities and the salt water plant communities and the work being done to map them. As we walked, he talked to us about plants we 'met' and about their various properties. We tasted pickleweed and enjoyed its mild flavor of the sea. He told us so many interesting things; I wish I could remember everything. Here are a few highlights.
I am so glad to know now that the wavy shimmer in the water on the canal is the saltwater and fresh water mixing. Seth brought chemistry into his talk while we observed different channels in the delta, from rust colored algae and why it exists in low oxygen environments to oil slick-like sheens on the water which are not really oil but a microbial buffet of manganese. If an oily sheen on the water breaks up when touched it is okay and a natural process; if it was oil it would meld back together since oil slicks strive to stay together. We learned that the entire estuarine environment is always in a state of flux and that the Skokomish Estuary is the largest estuary in the Hood Canal watershed and The Skokomish River is the largest freshwater source to Hood Canal. This estuary is also a migratory bird path and the location of Lucky Dog fault, the spot where a series of major earthquakes occurred sometime during the middle of the 17th century. Seth shared so much of his knowledge with us. We are grateful to have been invited to this watershed. -kim
Raven croaking
Crow cawing
Turkey vultures circling
Bald eagles in the sky
Shorebirds flying by on an incoming tide
A dusty feathery fluff ball filled with cherry pits..
Is it an owl pellet Dan? No…..
Maybe it is a turkey vultures errrrp ewe….
While looking intently across the expanse of the estuary restoration a large shadow flashed across our faces. We instinctively and simultaneously looked to the source and found our eyes momentarily struck with the brightness of the sun. A more few seconds and a few more squints allowed use to make out a large soaring bird high in the sky. It was hard to tell in that moment, but we did eventually see Turkey vultures, Bald eagles, Great blue herons, and some hawk-looking bird… all good sightings.
Someone counted eight Turkey vultures circling on the thermals of the Skokomish estuary area… it seemed one came close enough to check out if the lagging, sleepy-looking campers would potentially be on the menu later. Seth pointed out a flock of shorebirds flying in a zigzag synchrony… light side, dark side, light side… dang how do they do that. He has been monitoring the estuary for a long time and has observed their presence in the estuary has been an indicator for him of an incoming tide… cool. - Dan
Blow up a culvert for NATURE!!! -Ariel
The quick ice cream stop at Potlatch State Park was gooood.
