Klopp Lake and Brackish Pond at high tide

Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary

(map link)

While the tide was still hitting an 8 foot high and on a day when the sun would come out for it, I headed down to the Arcata Marsh to be impressed by all the water. Judging by parking at the interpretive center, it might be quite empty. Getting out on the trails quickly dissuaded me of that thought. There's always plenty of people out on the marsh. And dogs. Today, nearly all of their owners were even compliant with the local leash laws. Maybe there's enough birders around to remind those who can't imagine how such laws apply to their dog that "wildlife sanctuaries" are rarely okay with dogs being allowed to randomly charge the wildlife, no matter what their size or friendliness.

Staring into the sun at the start of the trail where a map allows some planning.

Butcher Slough with the water right up to the grasses and high on the old mill ruins. There's a couple different things that were built here over the years.

I made a bee-line for the bit of trail most exposed to the ravages of Arcata Bay, which generally aren't all that much. That's generally south, across the bridge over Butcher Slough, then southwest around the edge of Klopp Lake. I saw lots of water distinctly brimming over.

A western grebe fresh off a dive in Butcher Slough.

Klopp Lake is mostly open water with three narrow islands spaced along the middle. At the moment, they're full of birds.

Butcher Slough with the Kneeland Mountains behind. It is very full with the 8 foot tide and drowning some grasses.

The tide wasn't really challenging the edge of the pond and path. Waves were really just ripples. A flock of sandpipers were launching and fluttering a foot or two above the water and landing as they liked. They are fun to watch, especially as the flock switches directions. Klopp Lake had few birds in the water, but big clusters on the islands. Many of those had their heads tucked back to sleep. There were a bunch of night herons on the far side in their regular spot, too.

The sandpipers settling back on the rocks after a few minutes fluttering.

A couple bits of the old boardwalk can still be seen.

A few of the night herons, which aren't all asleep.

Keeping up appearances rather than sleeping.

After making my way around Klopp Lake, I headed northerly and then crossed the road and headed down the dead-end path to McDaniel Slough. I figured it could be another spot where the high water could be impressive. So far, it wasn't all that.

Cute little buffleheads getting up some speed in Gearheart Marsh.

The Gearheart Marsh and, if you look closely enough a bit to the left, the stacked logs of a current mill.

A multitude of silhouettes looking south across the open bay.

Everything does look ever so slightly drowned on the way out to McDaniel Slough.

When I got out to the end of the path, water was still at least half a foot below the edge. There were more flocks of birds to watch as the flickered in turns. The fluttering and whooshing sounds of one flock as it crossed over the path just 20 feet from me was amazing. (A peregrine falcon was taking an interest in the flocks as well.)

Honking overhead as the geese sort themselves out into a pair of lines.

Flocks in the distance beyond some long drowned trees.

McDaniel Slough was amazingly still.

I turned back and to continue north at the first opportunity, going around Gearheart Marsh and Brackish Pond. I crossed the road again and grabbed the trail by the long unused railroad tracks. A bridge crosses Butcher Slough, then I followed the west side path around Butcher Slough Log Pond. I got to thinking about how much I miss having a Friday social hike to wander around with. Some loop through the marsh would certainly be one of the regular walks.

A northern shoveler in Brackish Pond.

Brackish Pond was still taking in water although the timing I saw on the tide had it going out.

The paths around the north side of Brackish Pond and mists still on the mountains.

The interpretive center was open, so I stopped by it in the vain hope that the model that is the first step of the Redwood Edventure Quest might be out. It wasn't. It's still a good walk.

*photo album*




©2021 Valerie Norton
Written 17 Dec 2021