Yakima Greenway
Running parallel to the Yakima River for 10 miles, the Yakima Greenway offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. Several of my best photos have been captured at the Yakima Area Arboretum, and Yakima Sportsman State Park.
Fort Simcoe Historical State Park
Fort Simcoe is located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains within the Yakama Nation Reservation. The park protects a remnant stand of old-growth Garry oak and ponderosa pine habitat that has largely disappeared elsewhere in the Yakima Valley. This environment makes it a key haven for birds, and wildlife mammals such as Black Bears, Coyotes, and more.
Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge
The TNWR spans over 12,000 acres in south-central Washington state within the Yakama Indian Reservation. Situated along the Pacific Flyway, it serves as a critical stopover and wintering ground for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and birds of prey. This creates ideal opportunities to capture close-ups and dramatic flight shots against the open shrub-steppe landscape.
McNary National Wildlife Refuge
McNary National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 15,000 acres along the east bank of the Columbia River in southeastern Washington. Sitting at a strategic crossroads on the Pacific Flyway, much like the TNWR, it plays a vital role in sustaining huge populations of migrating waterfowl and native wildlife.
