Friends We Have Made

Yesterday morning I was standing on the bridge over the Siltcoos River before heading out on the Waxmytle Trail for my volunteer duty, when this family of three River Otters swam up the river and under the bridge. They seem like old friends as we have enjoyed watching them all summer.  It gave me pause as this summer is rapidly coming to a close to think back on some of the friends we have made. There is the family of three Great Blue Herons we enjoyed keeping track of on our walks on the Siltcoos Lagoon Trail. A mother Raccoon and her young one that went from a cavity nest in a Spruce tree to fishing trips in the lagoon. Plus there is the Chipmunk that has a food stash in a tree just a few feet from our motor home window in our camp site.  And then there are the little Snowy Plovers that I delight in spotting daily. But I was reminded of some other friends we have enjoyed here this summer.  John West is one of the first that comes to mind.  He camped here for a good many days kayaking the river and photographed this family of three River Otters numerous times. Another friend that comes to mind is Glenn Pannier.  He enjoyed camping at Waxmyrtle so much he has become a volunteer.  He has also photographed these same three otters, in fact he has photos of them rolling in the sand. We have also had a good number of friends come and camp with us at Waxmyrtle during our stay. Looking back I feel very fortunate for all the friends, animal and human alike that have shared in our summer.