Green River Trail – Crows of Arroyos

Kent Eagles & Crows Check up

Posted on February 19, 2018 by batgurrl

On the Green River to the west side of Kent, the city has converted the old country roads on both banks to trails. You may have seen this in my series about what I saw walking the Green River Trail.

This President Day it was sunny but chilly and I set out to do one of the loops that they have created. My path was where a small foot bridge crosses the river to the west bank. I parked my car on the east side of the bridge and to my delight the crow family I saw before were there. The picture above shows the area of the bridge. Here is a link to that prior post (about year and half ago) which among other topics talks about this family by the bridge.

Green River Trail – Country Road & Crow Family

They were also there when I returned at the end of my walk. Here is one of them hanging out watching me throw the peanuts for them.

Crow near pedestrian bridge over Green River

Off I went across the bridge. I could see through the metal grating as I crossed the river. That freaked me out a bit and then I hit a grate that rattled. That got me hanging onto the rail from there on. I was going to walk down the west side of the river and then turn around. That bridge freaked me out so much, I decided I would walk down to the next pedestrian bridge and then walk back on the east bank trail.

That turned out to be a great thing because I came to where I had seen the young eagle a year and half ago. This is an established pair in two poplar trees. Here is the blog post to give you some context.

Kent Eaglet

This set of babies were raised in the tree to the left. The family has moved into a new nest on the right tree leaving the old nest as a nice memory.

Eagle nest trees in Kent, WA on Green River

When I approached the area, I heard a big bird making some calls. Not the usual eagle screech but certainly not a chickadee sound. That was when I saw one of them up in the tree.

I then walked on down the trail and when the tree got back in view I was able to see the pair in the nest.

A lot of non-bird people do not realize that many bird species have staked out homes and territories just like we humans. This revisit to the Green River trails confirmed for me that both the crows and eagles are returning again and again. They are not only raising families here but have found good food sources. Why would they give up a good thing?

Birds and other fun topics

Evolution of a Crow Blog

Posted on February 4, 2018 by batgurrl

This last couple of months I have been terrible busy at work and with other life things. My Crows of Arroyos has become harder and harder to find content that I am excited about.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand I am in a writing slump not a permanent give up on my blog about birds, nature, history and of course crows. We all have from time to time a moment of introspection on what we are about.

A good way to go about the future is to see what the past contained. Take away from that what really thrills one and what was a drag. So..here goes on a look back on 7 years of my blogging adventure.

It all started on November 21, 2010 with a new blog built on WordPress (which I still use and love). It was called Arroyos Crow World and it began with this:

Please join me in glimpsing the world of Crows.

For the past several years I have followed the local residents of my neighborhood. We humans live in our houses and by looking up we can see a whole another world. The Crows have territories, families and parties just like we do.

Wow – going back to read that I realize that I still follow that course. I have not really been able to completely understand the why they do things (I have tried) but it is more about where they are and what I observed by looking up.

The next day on November 22nd, I uploaded my first picture and wrote the second blog called “Crow Snow Day”. Check it out! The first picture is a crow pair on my backyard fence. Something they still do today.

Look at how far digital photography has come and how grainy my old camera was. Just one of many things that change over a few short years.

To my surprise of the 655 posts only 287 were about crows. Here are some more statistics for those that love math.

Total Posts in 7 years – not counting this one – 655
36,573 views
535 is the most views in one day – October 17, 2011 – Crow Stalker and Amanda Knox Paparazzi

And what retrospect would not be really worth its salt if we didn’t have a Top 5 countdown!

Number 5 – Crow Stalker and Amanda Knox Paparazzi

Here I was almost a year into my blogging fun and one Sunday on my walk to “stalk” crows ran across a pair of paparazzi outside Amanda’s mother’s house. She had just got home from being released in Italy and was all the rage in our neighborhood. That included lots of extra traffic and of course news helicopters.

This posting has had 931 visits over the last 6 years. As I noted above more than half happened on the day after I posted it. I got published on some Amanda Knox chat group and anything Amanda was grabbed upon. That included my encounter.

Number 4 – Crow Pellet

974 visits to this post show that lots of folks are interested in this icky subject. Could be they are just thinking guns? I like to think it is such an odd subject with little out there on it that my post got folks the information they wanted.

Check out what the crow threw up in front of me on a piling looks like. Placed perfect for a great photo!

Crow Pellet – interesting look at what this crow was eating

Number 3 – Crows – Ravens and Halloween

This October 2011 post got 1,046 views over time. Every year when Halloween rolls around folks find this posting and educate themselves on crow lore. Here is my lead in paragraph that sets the tone of smart crows and our aversion to untidy sights.

Corvids (Crows & Ravens) are some of the most popular symbols of Halloween. Months ago I wrote an article about why people think Crows are Evil. In that article I talked about how we as humans might fear a bird that is so smart. Or is it that in our clean and tidy world we don’t take well to them feeding on battlefield dead.

Number 2 – Ruins of Longacres – The Foundations

Close to where I work in Renton, Washington is the site of where a horse racetrack of great aclaim and beauty used to stand. In the 1990s it was sold to the Boeing Company and then redeveloped into office space. The racetrack was torn down to the dismay of many. Almost 20 years later, I stumbled across what was left and started a series of articles to record the “Ruins”. This blog has netted 1,088 views. 2,068 total views on the whole series. That made all the stomping around in the brush, hundreds of photos and hours of research worth every moment.

This series included 14 blog posts, starting with the a mysterious entrance unit that still stands under I-405 (Longacres Relic), then the three main posts “Ruins of Longacres” Foundation, Green Wall and The Track. A former employee sent me aerial photos and I did a few posts of those. I produced a small video of the track which you can view below.

Number 1 – Its Molting Time – Crows, Herons & Madrona Trees

This is my all time most visited blog post at 2,921. When I wrote it in 2011 I never thought it would be the one that just kept on giving. It outlasted the Amanda craze, beat out the Halloween post and many posts on my everlasting love of Baby Crows (6 Baby Crows Crying is #10 at 380).

When I go look at the ways people find this blog, I find it is not the crows! It is the madrona trees that people admire and want to know more about. This photo of one molting (see below) is is in the top 5 photos you get when you google “Madrona Trees Molting”. Batgurrl.net has 3 of those top 5.

Madrona Trees also molt this time of year. The bark is just like paper laying on the trail.

I have to mention I have some favorites of my own. Let us call them Honerable Mentions.

My Duwamish Adventure – This was many months of wandering along the trail or roads on the West side of the Duwamish ending at the river’s mouth. The end was a bit disappointing since it was not accessible to me but I did a video of it and what we had done to our river.

Georgetown Steam Plant – Electrical power was generated with steam more than a 100 years ago in Seattle. This plant is now a relic of a time gone by. I was enchanted by the many photo moments I got there plus some odd energy that I think are ghosts.

1906 Seattle Electric Company Steam Plant

Green River Trail – Like the Duwamish series I walked this trail along the Green River from South Seattle to its end in Kent. Lots to see and write about ranging from crows, old houses, the river, eagles, history and serendipity.

Eagle cools off next to Green River

Renton Crow Roost – every fall and winter hundreds of crows flock to the valley close to my office. I am never disappointed in how entertaining they are each year.

2018 is here and what will it bring? Is Serendipity going to carry me forward? Will a pair of crows nest in a tree I can watch from start to finish? Will a historical ruin catch my eye and the hearts of others again?

That is blogging! Living in the moment and sharing it for others to enjoy too.

crows

Crow Street

Posted on May 15, 2016 by batgurrl

Rambling around Kent, Washington on the way to the Green River Trail I came to West Crow Street.

Crow Stalker couldn’t help herself and took a photo of this place. Wonder if the local murder of crows know they have a namesake. Too bad one didn’t just land on the sign while I had camera in hand. Oh well…. still very cool.

Green River Trail

Enchanted Place

Posted on May 15, 2016 by batgurrl

The Green River Trail strangely continues beyond where the sign says it ends. Yes I thought I had come to it’s end. To find the next leg along the river, I traversed a road bordered by a pallet company and a tow yard. An old gated road opened before me and I followed it next to the river.

As I rounded a corner I was drawn in by a grove of redwoods – aka Sequoias.

They are a tree of magic that creates an enchanted forest scene. One expects a gnome or fairy to step from around the trunk.

These trees are not native to the Kent Valley and had been planted here more than a hundred years ago. A few other heritage trees were close by which leads me to believe this was an early homestead or farm. They were someone’s entrance sentinels.

I lingered here and inhaled the peace they create.

The Enchantedness did not end in the grove. As I exited the trees I discovered an art installation. This small grove is sandwiched between the Green River and an active railway. The art is five heron like birds fashioned from iron on poles. Some research of them turned up nothing and makes me wonder how old they are. Were they related to the old homestead? or did the railroad put them there for their passengers enjoyment.

Mystery Bird Art - Green River Trail — Mystery Bird Art – Green River Trail

Serendipity is alive wherever I roam. Magic and new things only await us around the next corner.

Green River Trail

Wild Pink

Posted on February 28, 2016 by batgurrl

Spring has brought us pink flowers on a wild current shrub. Its formal name is Ribes sanguineum Pursh or better known as red-flower currant.

This is just off Frager Road in Kent, WA. It is not open to car traffic in this area, so it has gone wild on both sides of the old river road.

DSCN8677 — Pink Flowers in the PNW brush

My Duwamish Adventure

Duwamish River – Kellogg Island

Posted on December 21, 2015December 21, 2015 by batgurrl

This is a special place on the Duwamish River. It is the only remaining piece of the original river before it was dredged and made the industrial waterway it is today.

Kellogg Island is really the tip of the much larger Edwards Island. The river had several salt marsh islands in the tide flats that stretched into Elliott Bay that sustained both man, fowl and beast.

On My Duwamish Adventure I finally got to the southern tip of the island and the backwater that goes around it. This is to the north of Lafarge Cement and to the south of Herring’s House Park. The Duwamish Trail until this point follows along West Marginal Way between the road and the industrial businesses that border the river. After one passes the cement plant it turns towards the river. Kind of unusual how there are two railroad cars parked to either side of the trail as it crosses the tracks. Like going down the rabbit hole.

trail disappears between these two railroad cars

weird - they parked the cars around the trail entrance. — weird – they parked the cars around the trail entrance.

When you pass between the cars you go into a natural setting vs the mankind type. It gave me a good view of the southern end of the island and how the backwater has barges and tugs tied up there.

South end of Kellogg Island - Duwamish — South end of Kellogg Island – Duwamish

You can see the cement plant on the right and the edge of Kellogg Island on the left. Straight ahead is the main Duwamish River Waterway where you see the Matson barges and cranes. While I was standing there I caught a tug chugging towards the bay. Behind all this stuff is the Georgetown Reach. That is another inlet left over from the straightening process. Maybe once I get done walking the west side of the river I can get some photos of it.

Duwamish River tug at south end of Kellogg Island

Back to the moored barges and tugs between Lafarge and the island. Wonder if they belong to the plant or someone else is just parking them there since it is out of the way of boat traffic and easy to get to. I have seen the backwater almost void of water at really low tides, so wonder if this end is deeper than the rest?

Barge docked in south backwater of Kellogg Island — Barges docked in south backwater of Kellogg Island

Tugs nestled near Lafarge cememt plant — Tugs nestled near Lafarge cement plant

Back here in the wonderland behind the rabbit hole entrance (two rail cars), is a paved path more like what I encountered down the Green River Trail. On one side was the river with madrona trees and other brush. The other side is a chain link fence with stacked container trailers.

Trailers stacked beside Duwamish River Trail across from Kellogg Island

Down a ways from this shot I found a little landing where there used to be a homeless home dug into the bank. Now it makes a good site to take a few pictures of the water and island. The island is a natural place not much changed from when it was chopped off from the larger island. The north end is tidal flat like and floods at high tide but the southern end is high enough that it is a true island with trees, brambles and grass. Crows, Kingfishers, Herons, several species of ducks, gulls and cormorants all inhabit this place wedged between man and nature.

Kellogg Island looking north to West Seattle Bridge

Looming in the north is the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. That bridge has a history of its own and here is a little excerpt from Wiki.

The high-level West Seattle Bridge, officially the Jeanette Williams Memorial Bridge, is a cantilevered segmental bridge that serves as the primary connection between West Seattle and the rest of the city. It was built between 1981 and 1984 after the previous bascule bridge was deemed inoperable as a result of being struck by the freighter Antonio Chavez in 1978

If you look real close you can see the Seattle skyline and the Space Needle. I zoomed in a little more so you can see it in the next picture. What a combination of man and nature.

Space Needle & Seattle from Kellogg Island on Duwamish

I leave you with a float that is a bird hang out. Next visit will be to the northern end of Kellogg Island and the parks along the Duwamish there. And when I say the north end of the island, I won’t be setting foot on the island. That would take a boat I don’t have and swimming in the river during the winter is not an option either.

Row of birds on float in Duwamish off Kellogg Island

To see more of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory

Green River Trail, My Duwamish Adventure

1st Avenue South Bridge Underskirts

Posted on November 28, 2015December 21, 2015 by batgurrl

Yesterday I walked from the 14th Avenue South Bridge to under the 1st Avenue South Bridge. Walking the trails has revealed many bridge underskirts and this one did not disappoint. For those that live in Seattle, this is also Highway 99 and is where Hwy 509 & 599 join up to cross the Duwamish River.

Ramps and river plus a little fencing under the bridge

Sidewalk approach to 1st Ave So Bridge – Seattle

Duwamish Trail – more concrete than true trail.

Underskirts of twin 1st Ave So Bridges

In my study of the river’s original course I learned that the river had a bend here and on both sides of the bridge are small inlets that are remnants of those bends. I got a few photos of one of those that a container company borders. I will post them in a separate post later, but here is a tickler to get your imagination going on what this place looked like more than 100 years ago. (river was dredged in 1913).

Remnants of Duwamish River original course

Under the bridge is a maze of road, ramps, river and industry. At the end of my hike I came to where the container company resides. If you look carefully at the end of the video there is a small building by parked cars. That borders the inlet above.

A car inside the chain link fence came out and the motorized gate opened for them. They then drove off as I was taking a short 360 degree video you can see below. Guess they worried I would try to trespass because they came back and waited for it to close.

To see more of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory

Georgetown Steam Plant, My Duwamish Adventure

Duwamish – Bridge & Steam Plant History

Posted on November 28, 2015December 21, 2015 by batgurrl

Before the 14th Avenue South and 1st Avenue South Bridges across the Duwamish a Trolley Bridge gave access to Southpark. It was at the end of 8th Avenue South and Portland Avenue.

It was erected in 1914 and demolished in 1937. This small park has an art installation commemorating this piece of history. This is part of Duwamish Revealed’s 2015 project to bring art and a celebration of Seattle’s only river. Here is a close up of the information and credits of the artist.

Details on trolley bridge over Duwamish River

This small park is surrounded by industry and small houses. It was carved out of a corner that touches the river.

Duwamish River from site of old bridge in Southpark

Park at 8th & So Portland Avenue Seattle

To my delight I found a small treasure that is related to the Georgetown Steam Plant. I did an extensive visit and series of posts around this historical wonder of old electricity production.

Follow this link to learn more – Georgetown Steam Plant

Look across the Duwamish River and there is the pump house that fed the steam plant after they straightened the river. Before it was dredged and they drained the curves out of the river the steam plant was next to the river. Once the curves were gone it was stranded until this pump house a mile away was built. Bonus to the photo is how it has Seattle’s skyscrapers contrasted to the 100 year old cutting edge technology of electricity generated by steam. Times change!

Pump Station for Georgetown Steam Plant - after course of Duwamish was changed — Pump Station for Georgetown Steam Plant – after course of Duwamish was changed

To see more of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory

Green River Trail, My Duwamish Adventure

My Duwamish Adventure

Posted on November 26, 2015February 21, 2016 by batgurrl

The Duwamish River has mystery around it. There is a conundrum of industry and nature along its banks. Please go with me on an adventure trekking the length of her. We will start at a place I consider her transformation from the Green River to the Duwamish. This place has a large rock at low tide and at one time my senses tell me it was the end of large vessel navigation.

This quest is not as easy as my Green River Trail project. The path along the river bank does not exist in a continuous groomed manner on the Duwamish. You will hear me refer to the sign that is the end or beginning of the Green River Trail. That is the place where following the river becomes more of an adventure.

Along the way I learned more about how the River was straightened. With a few maps I realized that there are several remnants of the old river. They appear to be places to park boats but in reality they are where the river bends intersected the man-made channel. Here are two pictures I found that show this.

Photo showing new & old Duwamish River

Duwamish old river bed before man straightened her.

Here is a listing of my blog posts. As I traverse the only river in Seattle I will add to this list, so do come back to use this as a guide. Do be kind to the river and then she will be kind to you! Join in her revitalization by joining any of the groups helping restore her glory.

Duwamish Adventure Begins – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 1

This is the kickoff post of my adventure. It traverses the river from the Cecil Moses Park to the south side of Turning Basin #3. You will see some hidden stairs, the back of the USPS center, Oxbow Boeing bridge and walking trail plus my getting stuck in the muck.

Duwamish River’s Rich and Homeless – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 2

This last couple of weeks I walked several times from the Turning Basin #3 up through Southpark to the 14th Avenue South Bridge. I was struck by the mixture of use the river has on it. The Green River Trail was mostly natural with a splattering of warehouses and homes. The Duwamish is so different. Check out the spectacular yachts right next to those less fortunate.

Duwamish River Electrified – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 3

Got your attention! This article is not about the river being live with electricity but rather about a City Light substation wedged between the river and freeway. Remember how I stated I had to be inventive on my quest to get to the river bank? This article not only will show you the massive wires and transformers but also how I got to the bank.

Duwamish Industry and Houses Southpark – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 4

As I traipsed along the river I collected a collection of photos of the mixed use the river has. This article gives you a glimpse of that variety. In some places I only could get a glimpse of the river but then others I gloried in her nearness.

Southpark Bridge across Duwamish River – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 5

The Duwamish River has had a bridge at 14th Avenue South for many years. Recently, the old one was closed due to disrepair. After a lot of politics the money was raised to build a new bridge. On my walk along the river, I came upon this lovely new bridge and a well designed and informative park built under and around it.

Sights in Southpark – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 6

When I walk I often find fun things that I have to share. This chapter is more about the town of Southpark and some quirky things found while seeking out the river bank.

Duwamish Revealed Mirror Art – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 7

In Southpark at 12th Avenue South and Elmgrove one can stumble upon this mirror cube and the illusions of the river.

Duwamish – Bridge & Steam Plant History – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 8

A bridge was built over the newly straightened Duwamish in 1914 and this Duwamish Revealed Art installation commemorates that site. It also points out the pump house for the Georgetown Steam Plant that saved it when the river’s course was re-directed.

1st Avenue South Bridge Underskirts – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 9

Check out what the bridge looks like under the roadway and next to the Duwamish river with a 360 degree video.

Duwamish meanderings in Southpark – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 10

This post will round out my investigation of Southpark’s Duwamish River Bank by showing you some of the varied sights I encountered. This ranges from cranes, houses, warehouses, and of course the river. Add a few surprises in there too!

West side Duwamish 8th Avenue South and steam plant pump house – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 11

Went to the small neglected park on the west side of the Duwamish end of 8th Avenue. Photos of the pump house and gritty park where the bridge over 100 years ago crossed the river.

River View Park – under 1st Avenue South Bridge – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 12

This is the north side of the bridge where a small neglected park harbors some of our neglected citizens.

Shipping Container Yards and Cement Plant on River – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 13

Follow West Marginal Way between the forested bank and industry. One cannot follow the river bank in this section due to the security these industrial endeavors have. (rightfully so do they protect cargo)

Crows of Shipping Container Land – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 14

Everywhere I go I meet Crow Families. This one is making its way in a shipping container maintenance and storage yard next to the Duwamish.

Kellogg Island & old Duwamish river – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 15

The southern end of Kellogg Island which was part of Edwards Island before the river was dredged. Also a view of the West Seattle Bridge and Seattle.

Kellogg Island – North View – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 16

More views including the West bank, north tip and how industry surrounds this last wild piece of the river.

Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and the Train – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 17

Up on the Duwamish Trail path you will see the longhouse with a Chief Seattle sign. Then along came a train so close and loud I had to take a video of it.

Duwamish Mystery Marker – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 18

Found this little marker from 1996 when the park didn’t exist or wasn’t very developed. It is now off the beaten path since the usable areas are to the north of it. I challenge you to find this marker too.

Going to Sea – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 19

Duwamish Revealed art installation at T-107 Park.

Twin Parks – T107 & Herring’s House – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 20

Long post all about my recent visit to these two parks along the Duwamish River. Lot to see and experience. History, birds, boats, homeless, and THE River!

BNSF Railroad Bridge over Duwamish River – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 21

To the south of the West Seattle Bridge is this 1928 railroad bridge. The Duwamish continues to hold history for those that seek it.

T-105 Duwamish Revealed Art Installation – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 22

Two sculptures installed during the 2015 Duwamish Revealed at the T-105 Park owned by the Port of Seattle.

Port of Seattle T-105 Park – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 23

1995 was the year the Port decided to develop this small park so the public could have access to the Duwamish River.

Video of train working along the Duwamish – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 24

Took this little train video outside the gate of T-105. Look for the Engineer waving back at me.

Riverside and West Seattle Bridge – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 25

Follow my meandering around this old community next to the West Seattle Bridge.

Trouble at Terminal 5 – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 26

Talk about trouble – my day around security at Terminal 5 how I had to delete a photo.

Under the West Seattle Freeway – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 27

A maze of concrete bridges and some history too.

Northern Duwamish Waterway – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 28

A look at the very north end of the Duwamish River before it flows into Elliott Bay. A tug video shows how narrow it is.

Alki Trail Sights – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 29

Some good and some sad things around the intersection of Harbor Avenue and Spokane Street.

Port of Seattle T-5 from Park – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 30

Get some good views of the big area Terminal 5. See a few ships docked there and understand the security in place there.

Harbor Avenue Crows – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 31

The murder here at the north end of the Port of Seattle’s T-5 recognized me and we had a little play time together.

Jack Block Park – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 32

Wander around the park and see how it is a combination of green park, beach, view tower and old remnants of industry of old.

Going Rogue seeking the Duwamish – Duwamish Adventure – Chapter 33

Here I go off trail to attempt to get to the river mouth. Who will win? Me? or the Port of Seattle?

Our only River – The Duwamish – Duwamish Adventure – Final Chapter

This is the finale of My Duwamish Adventure. Enjoy a short video of the river’s mouth and how I encourage everyone to get out and walk without your technology. Enjoy the serendipity of life!

Hope you enjoy my adventure.

Check out the Green River Trail Quest series of posts. You will find it a combination of history, nature and man-made finds that follows this trail from beginning in Seattle to south Kent.

Green River Trail Quest Directory

Green River Trail, My Duwamish Adventure

Duwamish River’s Rich and Homeless

Posted on November 26, 2015December 21, 2015 by batgurrl

My Duwamish Adventure has continued in the last couple of weeks. I am now to the north of the Green River end/beginning point. This has not been near as easy as walking the Green River Trail. I have had to investigate areas that are not developed, walk around industry and be rather adventurous to get to the river bank. My last two trips have yielded a lot of material so I am going to divide it up by topics rather than a plain old time line. This will give you a good feel for all the diversity of terrain I have found while still working our way north.

This article is about how I found there are two sides to the track (or river). My Duwamish Adventure Begins posting touched on this with a picture of the spectacular ship being built at Delta Marine. I now know its name is “Albatross”. While getting closer to the shipyard I captured a wide range of eclectic yachts, barges and boats on the water.

First lets look at Delta Marine and some high-end ships only the rich could afford. On Delta’s website they state they began as a builder of fishing boats but now concentrate on private yachts. The fishing industry is not as lucrative so they morphed into a new product to survive.

Ship builder behind river's brush — Ship builder behind river’s brush

Marine ship hanger road side

Delta Marine Ship Hanger facing Duwamish

Look close at the feature image at the top. You will see on the left the yacht Albatross and on the right a fishing boat pulling in their nets. In the middle is a barge with a crane, some manufacturing buildings that I assume are Boeing related and an old water tower.

Fishing on the Duwamish with a 747 and barges. — Fishing on the Duwamish by a 747 and barges.

Old Water Tower - could this be from Kenworth Factory? — Old Water Tower – could this be from Kenworth Factory?

Barges in the turning inlet behind fishermen.

Let us continue to the other side of the tracks (river). Just to the north of the Green River trail head is a small park that holds junk from a homeless encampment and/or a little party time. While ducking into the river brush I also saw a pair of Stellar Jays dancing around in the branches. I swear I saw a white belly of a Western Scrub Jay but only captured this guy.

Junk left behind on Duwamish by partiers and homeless

Trash in the river brush

Homeless bath house

Blue Jay in the brush by homeless debris.

As I walked along the perimeter road in a small trail behind the guard rail, I came upon a place where two RVs had parked. Last time I was here they were still there and I ended my day’s hike to the south of them. They have been evicted by the police now. I know this because a friend of mine told me she saw it happening on the way to work one day. They left a bit of trash behind.

Remains of RV homeless site

Homeless lived here recently

NOAA sign announcing Turning Basin #3 – next to RV Homeless site.

The Duwamish has long been a place for all. Years ago the Duwamish tribe made it their home and harvested the bounty of the natural river. Then modern man came to town and built his industry alongside mother nature. Some of us have been rewarded well in this world and some are falling behind. The river showed us this today.

To see more of my Duwamish Adventure I have a directory post that links all of the pieces together. You can find that post here – My Duwamish Adventure Directory

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