From the town of Vancouver, Washington, where I live, which is across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, the Columbia River travels west then north as it finds its way to the Pacific Ocean. A bit northwest of Vancouver is an area of lakes and wetlands near the town of Ridgefield, WA that has been set aside as a national wildlife refuge. This place is a home to numerous species, including Great Blue Heron, Snowy White Egrets, and various species of ducks and hawks as well as nutria and otters. Having discovered this place as I was exploring the river country outside of Vancouver, I now drive up through Ridgefield occasionally over time and seasons.