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. — 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. — MADELINE KALBACH PHOTO
The Peninsula deer are semi-tame. Be sure to keep
a close eye for them along local streets and
highways. — JONATHAN HEALE PHOTO
White pelicans used to be uncommon near the mouth of the Columbia,
but are being observed 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
DISCOVERY COAST 2018-19 • DiscoverOurCoast.com • 23