Photo: Great Blue Heron by Brian Zinke

Please join Academia Latina and the Pilchuck Audubon Society for a visit to the Hiram Chittenden Locks and Botanical Garden on Saturday, June 15th, 2024. We will meet at 9:00AM at the Ballard Locks south parking lot. The address is 3300 W Commodore Way, Seattle, WA 98199. Here is the easiest way to get here: from southbound State Route 99/Aurora Avenue turn right on NW 85th St. Turn left on 15th Av. NW. Cross the Ballard Bridge. Turn right at the Emerson overpass. Turn right again at 21st St. 21st bends left turning into Commodore. Caution: parking on the south side is free. In 2022 some guests got temporarily lost by following Google Maps to the north side from whence they entered the gardens and finally found us. We will start off with the fish ladder, because their website says this is supposed to be the best month for Sockeye Salmon migration. We certainly can’t guarantee we will see any fish, but we will look. We will wander across the locks to see how they work and to watch the passing boats. We can visit the historical exhibits and botanical gardens to see whatever birds we can find. There are often plenty of sea birds on the waters and occasionally some seals and sea lions.

Bring sturdy walking shoes, a hat, water, a rain jacket, and a picnic lunch for your party. Also bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. ADA. No dogs.

Trip leaders: Rosamaria Graziani, Jonathan Blubaugh (425-244-7633), Judy Hall