Oasis in the aftermath of the Swakane fire
By Steve Godfrey
March 29, 2011
Photo by Steve Godfrey
A true desert oasis - a colorful waterfall in an otherwise bleak canyon dropping off to the east of Burch Mountain.
On a recent day hike up one of the finger canyons stretching east from Burch Mountain to the Columbia River, I was surprised to see how stark the environment was. I was hiking an area that was part of the Swakane Canyon fire from last summer, so I guess the bleak look was to be expected.
Nature will heal itself relatively quickly after a fire, but not that fast; it will likely take several years to get back to what it was like before the burn.
Surprisingly, the deer are still using the area, so there must be enough food there for them to make a living. The pregnant does will have to find thicker cover, though, before they start birthing their fawns in June. The coyotes, as always, will be out patrolling for a meal, and any fawn born in the open will be easy pickings.
As the canyon narrowed, I jumped a large dark owl from its low perch in a small tree. I wish I had seen it sooner – I would have liked to try to get a photo of it. I just don’t see many owls when I hike, especially in broad daylight. Its piercingly sharp yellow eyes were in stark contrast to its soft and quiet plumage as it stuck out its wide wings and silently glided down the canyon, disappearing from sight quickly. It must have been just as surprised to see me as I was to see it.
The chuckars are also still prevalent in the area, and are no doubt beginning to think about starting the next generation.
Spring is a great time for a hike in central Washington. Get out and get into some nature of your own.
