Crow Butte , 4/28/2022, National Geographic Sea Bird
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird
Pacific Northwest
When we awoke on National Geographic Sea Bird, we were anchored next to Crow Butte in the Columbia River. It was overcast and chilly, but each group came to shore at Crow Butte for a hike of their preference. Some guests decided to crest the butte on an adventurous and fast-paced hike, others chose to wander with the naturalists, and a few took photography walks. Our hotel manager surprised everyone with a treat onshore at the beginning/end of the hikes. While one group was onshore, historian Patrick gave a talk to the other group onboard.
The afternoon offered opportunities for everyone to kayak or rest. Those who chose to kayak were treated to a paddle in the Columbia River. Many guests were happy to sit outside in the sun, others took a nap, and several people worked diligently on their photographs.
The second part of the Lewis and Clark Adventure was revealed during another exciting talk. Recap rolled into dinner, and we enjoyed a spirited game of trivia after another great meal.
I like to remind people that there are very few big surprises left in life, but if you are out in nature, with an open mind and a lot of time, you never know what you will find.
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National Geographic Sea Bird climbed up the Columbia River. The ship made its way from the temperate rainforest across the deep and narrow basalt cliffs of the Columbia Gorge and into the dry sagebrush-steppe landscape of Crow Butte. The transformation took just a few hours. As the sun rose across the sharply edged riverine lines, guests sipped coffee and enjoyed breakfast. Afterwards, we enjoyed an expert talk on “Soils and Raptors” by naturalist and “Raptor Extraordinaire,” Zoey Greenberg. Emerging from Celilo Falls and the Long Narrows, we shuttled upstream to Crow Butte Island. Guests enjoyed aerobic nature walks around the island in the morning. Returning to National Geographic Sea Bird , guests enjoyed an afternoon of cruising through the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge and educational presentations on “Salmon, Dams, and the Columbia River Treaty,” by Patrick MacQuarrie, river historian, and “Geology of the Columbia River Basin,” by the multitalented naturalist wizard, Jesse Humbert. Crow Butte and the refuge offered a plethora of birdlife for the guests’ enjoyment, including grebes, great blue herons, double-crested cormorants, American white pelicans, bald eagles, northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, and several types of geese, including snow geese, cackling geese, and Canada geese. We also spotted buffleheads, widgeons, mallards, coots, gulls, and several sparrows. While naturalists wooed the “Sea Bird Nation” with natural science and history stories, the ship transited McNary Lock. The lock lifted National Geographic Sea Bird up 75-feet into Lake Wallula, eventually passing Wallula Gap and entering the Snake River by dinner. Once again, National Geographic Sea Bird made the once impossible journey possible. This was first accomplished by Lewis and Clark in 1805 and 1806 on their historic journey to open the West to a young and eager country. Photographers: Patrick MacQuarrie, River Historian and Naturalist ; Dr. Robert Jason, Guest ; and Kim Nesbitt, Photo Instructor
Dawn broke cold but clear with temperatures in the high 40s and partly cloudy skies. It was wonderful weather for an exploration of the transition zone between the temperate rainforest of the past two days and the shrub-steppe that begins here and dominates the landscape heading east.
Today we had a wonderful introduction to the gorgeous farmland and industry of the Columbia River ecosystem. From experiencing the “Fruit Loop” to a salmon hatchery to a wonderful farm-to-table lunch, it was a beautiful day.
