Billy Frank Jr. was a native American environmental leader and advocate for treaty rights. He was an important member of the Nisqually tribe and a key to the tribe securing fishing rights on the Nisqually river. Ironically, I didn’t know while walking the amazing refuge named after him at the time that he was the chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission a group that works with my daughter who was having her first day of work while I was exploring. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2015 and this refuge was renamed in his honor that same year.

Walking this place is a special experience. The diversity of the birds and wildlife is amazing and ever changing depending on the season. I can’t wait to experience at another time of the year and see how different it will be.

I started on a long walkway along a swampy area that feeds into the Nisqually river. Here you could view all sorts of quick flying small birds and ducks enjoying the peaceful ponds.

I saw a group of naturalists with binoculars staring at the ground and stopped to see they were watching this toad.

I was then stopped by a bird that looked very skeptical of why I was invading her home.

I continued out to the river overlook.

I didn’t see much wildlife here but as I started to walk away I heard something stirring below the wooden walkway. I slowly and quietly turned around to see if I could see what was walking under me. As I did, I saw a mink come out from under the deck and walk towards the river.

That was the first time I had ever seen one and was hoping I could get a better view but he was quickly on his way to a hiding place.

The river is home to all the species of local salmon at different times of the year. I felt a sense of pride knowing that my daughter will have a hand in ensuring these fish survive for future generations.

I continued my walk out towards where the river meets Puget Sound passing ponds with more ducks.

I made it out to the longest wood walkway I have ever seen. This thing was intimidating!

I could tell the lady in front of me was very intimidated but after being reassured by some returning visitors, she made her way out.

I slowly made my way out, walking quietly trying to keep my eyes opened for anything that might be going on around me. It payed off as right below the walkway I spotted a heron. I have never got this close to one without it flying away but this being a sanctuary, he felt quite comfortable with me watching him.

Towards the end of the walk out the skies cleared and Tahoma (Mt. Rainier) made her appearance.

I made my way back after the long walk and saw a harbor seal using the tide change to see what fish might swim by. I couldn’t get a good shot of him so continued the long walk back.

As I returned to the parking lot I saw this cute little bird in a tree.

I also passed by a bunch of illegal immigrants with one friend that didn’t seem to be in the right crowd.

I’m not sure if it was an albino Canadian goose or a confused snow goose? I made my way back to the parking lot, tired but excited to return again with some other family members to explore this place again.