Winter Morning Bird Watching at Juanita Bay Park
One of my favorite places to spend a mild winter morning is at Kirkland’s Juanita Bay Park. Even when the sky is grey and the air is crisp, this location is alive with activity. Nestled onto the edge of Lake Washington, Juanita Bay is not just a city park; it’s a protected sanctuary for birds and a genuine bird watcher's paradise.
The park’s well-maintained boardwalks and viewing platforms allow visitors to get incredibly close to the thriving ecosystem without disturbing it. This makes it an ideal spot for capturing stunning photographs, especially during the quieter winter months when the light is softer and the crowds are thinner.
I like to spend my morning meandering through the trails, quietly observing the marshes, trees, and shorelines at the edge of the bay. On this particular morning, there was an abundance of activity and plenty of new species to see!
One of the unexpected highlights of the visit to Juanita Bay Park was getting to watch a group (a romp! 🤣) of otters catch a fish and drag it up on a buoy platform. They were a determined group, working together as a team towards success.
