A mother river otter decides how best to neutralize a Dungeness crab at Cape Disappointment boat launch. — JANE WEBB PHOTO
Black bears are active on the Long Beach Peninsula and nearby areas, which
have Washington state's densest populations of bears. It's important to keep
human-related food sources out of their reach. Bears that become to
habituated to human-supplied food represent a danger to people. They often
must be removed and euthanized. It's up to each of us to keep our bear
neighbors safe. — BUD CUFFEL PHOTO
Roosevelt elk can often be seen in a viewing area off U.S. Highway 101 on Bear
River on the south end of Willapa between Long Beach and South Bend. A
resident herd of elk also occupied wild lands on the Long Beach Peninsula, but
exact locations for them are difficult to predict. — JANE WEBB PHOTO
Trumpeter swans hang out in Black Lake in Ilwaco and other lakes and
wetlands in the area. There is a major trumpeter swan conservation area near
the north end of the Peninsula.— JANE WEBB PHOTO
Short-eared owls are year-round residents of Willapa National Wildlife
Refuge, one of several owl species here. — MADELINE KALBACH PHOTO
The Peninsula deer are semi-tame. Be sure to keep a
close eye for them along local streets and highways. —
White pelicans used to be uncommon near the mouth of the Columbia, but are
being observed closer and closer to the ocean in recent years. These visited
the Ilwaco waterfront in the spring of 2017. By the way, a flock of pelicans can
be called a squadron, pod or scoop. — JANE WEBB PHOTO
A bald eagle snatched a fish from a Long Beach Peninsula lake in late April 2017. Eagles are an
everyday sight throughout the Columbia-Willapa area. — JANE WEBB PHOTO
JONATHAN HEALE PHOTO
DISCOVERY COAST 2017-18 • www.chinookobserver.com • 23