Bob, Around noon today, I was on my way to River Trail Roasters for a cup of coffee, when I spotted a demonstration in front of Redmond City Hall, just across the street. I quickly crossed the street and fished out my cell phone camera and discretely snapped a few photos.
Saturday, November 25, 2023
City Hall Protest: "Bring Them Home Now."
Bob, Around noon today, I was on my way to River Trail Roasters for a cup of coffee, when I spotted a demonstration in front of Redmond City Hall, just across the street. I quickly crossed the street and fished out my cell phone camera and discretely snapped a few photos.
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Redmond Ospreys And Their Nests
Marymoor Park juvenile osprey / credit Reinke |
According to the Marymoor Park website, this tall osprey nest platform located near Parking Lot B was constructed in 2008, to replace a decommissioned cell tower. The new platform has been used by ospreys ever since.
A juvenile osprey is currently occupying the nest. (A juvenile can be identified by the white fringe around all of its brown wing feathers, which adults do not have.)
I discovered that there are two empty osprey nests only a half mile away and still inside the park. One nest structure is located in a tall lighting tower on the perimeter of baseball field #6 and the other is similarly located on the perimeter of baseball field #8. .
Empty osprey nests on Marymoor lighting tower |
During all of my visits to the platform, only the juvenile has been present and I have never seen it flying around or accompanied by adult ospreys. However, my visits have all been of fairly short duration, so I presume that the adults are still attending to the juvenile. Nonetheless, the fall migration season has already begun, so presumably the juvenile and its parents may have already departed.
-- John Reinke
Redmond, photojournalist
10/8/2023
Monday, August 7, 2023
90th Street Pond Restoration Underway, Fish Protected
Green Heron spears a frog on the 90th Street Bridge stormwater pond |
The City of Redmond budgeted a little over a million dollars to remove sediment and restore the functionality of the 90th Street stormwater runoff pond. The pond is located at the intersection of the 90th Street Bridge and the Sammamish River. The project is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of October.
For over twelve years, I have been observing and photographing the abundant wildlife that often appears in this pond. Great blue herons frequently catch fish and frogs here. Above, is a rare Green Heron spearing a frog! Different species of waterfowl often appear during the spring and fall migratory seasons. I once photographed six adult male wood ducks together in the pond at the same time!
In addition to the varied birdlife, I have photographed: a beaver on two different occasions, a raccoon, river otters frolicking in the pond twice, and a coyote, which really surprised me.
I don't know what will become of this wildlife once the project is complete. A worker said they netted all of the fish at the east end of the enclosure, and relocated them to the west end, nearest to the river. This was to protect the fish. The worker said that when entering the pond the accumulated sediment was so deep where they were netting the fish, that it came up to their shoulders!
--Photos and Story by John Reinke, 8/7/2023
City removing rich, organic soil from the pond |
"The existing NE 90th St stormwater pond treats the runoff from the 90th St stormwater basin before it drains into the Sammamish River. It was constructed in 2000 and currently provides about two thirds of the water quality treatment required by today’s regulations. The pond works by allowing sediment to settle out of the stormwater before it enters the Sammamish River. Over the last 20 years, significant sediment has accumulated, filling up a portion of the pond. The City will be removing the accumulated sediment from the pond during the summer of 2023. "
(Source: NE 90th Street Stormwater Pond Retrofit | Redmond, WA )
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Sammamish Eagle Nest Gone, Eaglets Fledged
Friday, May 12, 2023
Sammamish River Eaglets
Monday, April 24, 2023
Pair of Nesting Eagles On the Sammamish River
A friend of mine told me 4 or 5 days ago that she had been monitoring the nest daily for 35 days. According to the excellent website https://www.eagles.org/, that is the incubation period for hatching eaglets. Presumably the egg(s) will have hatched by now, if that is true. - John Reinke, 4/24/2023
Photos by John Reinke
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Redmond Town Center's Heron Art
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Redmond Resident Reinke Reports Destructive Beaver Chewing
The wire mesh protecting this alder from chewing beavers was pulled away. |
Thanks for the photos John Reinke. Yes, sometimes the beavers figure out a way to get over/under or crush the caging we put up, especially older cages. Because of all the recent beaver activity along the trail, over the next few weeks, the City’s WCC crew will be installing some new cages and improving older ones between Redmond Way and 90th Street. This has more to do with public safety along the trail versus trying to stop the beaver from felling trees altogether.
All of the Red alders along the trail and Sammamish River are volunteer trees (planted by mother nature not us), and for the most part we are ok with those being taken down. It makes the shoreline more complex and provides a little more space and light for the long-lived conifers. Because the beavers are chewing a lot of trees right along the trail though, we are going to try and encourage them to leave those alone and choose trees that won’t fall onto the trail.
Happy Holidays,
Tom
Tom Hardy Stream & Habitat Planner, City of Redmond |
Sunday, October 23, 2022
Redmond Resident on Beaver Patrol
Photo by John Reinke, 10/17/2022 |
The City of Redmond is fortunate to have diligent resident, John Reinke, who monitors beaver activity and their habitat. Above, is a photo of an alder tree on the Sammamish River Trail felled by a beaver. The Sammamish River is closeby on the right. It looks like someone may have pulled it off the trail.
John reported the downed tree to City stream specialist Tom Hardy and the Mayor. Mr. Hardy immediately removed the tree and the Mayor thanked John at a public meeting. Mr. Reinke often reports beaver activity to the County.
John likes to insert puns' into the end of his stories! 😉
"Finally, let me say that if I were a beaver, I'd give a dam, or at least try to make one!"
"It was swimming steadily toward me when I suddenly heard a loud "thwack", and saw the creature's hind legs suddenly rise straight up into the air, before immediately sliding down beneath the roiling water." (I guess we could call it a “slam dunk”…)
-- Bob Yoder, 10/23/2022
Friday, September 30, 2022
The Salmon Seeson is Upon Us!
Redmond resident John Reinke has seen salmon migrating upstream from three Redmond bridge locations: 1) Redmond Way bridge, 2) Connector Trestle bridge, and 3) the Union Hill St. bridge. 9/25/2022 report. When the October rains come expect migrations in force up the Sammamish River and Bear Creek bridges to Juel Park, the 95th Street bridge, into Woodinville and Cottage Lake to spawn.
ISSAQUAH SALMON DAY FESTIVAL, October 1-2. Awesome event! Don't miss it! 🐟🐟🐟
"Save the Salmon" is an advocacy group to protect Lake Sammamish salmon. Great website.
10/1/2022
Sunday, September 11, 2022
"Lyrical Currents," A Poetic Map of Redmond and the Sammamish River
Redmond's Poet Laureate, Laura Da' created this lyrical nature walk through the downtown natural, cultural and historical places of Redmond. QR Code will open the map guiding you through five special places.
Laura Da' is a poet and teacher. A lifetime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Da' studied creative writing at the University of Washington and this Institute of American Indian Arts. She is Eastern Shawnee. Da' lives near Seattle with her husband and son.
To take the tour, on your phone, click on the small Google square next to the microphone symbol, hover over the QR code and click on it as if taking a picture.
Sunday, July 31, 2022
UPDATED: Affordable, Pleasant Housing At "Friendly Village"
The Village is surrounded by nature. Restored Bear Creek runs through the Village. Homes on right / credit: Yoder (click to enlarge) |
I was kibitzing with long-time resident John Oftebro at the Derby Days Historical Society booth. I found myself at a loss when the subject of the "Friendly Village" came up.
Fast forward: Last week, on a sweltering day Pam, I and Zoey took a ride to the Friendly Village. Driving east on NE 95th Street (also known as Conrad Olsen Road on Google maps,) the Friendly Village, 55-plus mobile home park, immediately came into view. The Village opened in 1971.
I was surprised by the beautiful landscaping, an old growth tree, and the attractive, well-maintained homes. The varied amenities include a common hall, fenced dog park, new pool, and salmon-bearing Bear Creek running through the 40-acre parcel.
In the common hall, I bumped into Mary, a kind lady and long-time resident of the park. She was selecting gleaned groceries from the food service area.
I really enjoyed my conversation with Mary. She pointed towards the creek saying the land was first a "wash" and later a turkey farm. She is happy her home is creekside. Mary said Ms. McRedmond, a descendent of the McRedmond founders used to live in the Village. She now lives a bit east on Conrad Olsen Road. Mary suggested I knock on her door. It's possible, Ms. McRedmond may still be going to the Redmond Cafe once a week.
The Village, including 224 pads, was purchased by the King County Housing Authority (KCHA) in 2017. The Housing Authority apparently charges $850/month per pad. Some utilities are covered. The county also gets credits for housing seniors. Mary said the Village is a "cash cow" for the county.
Village living is affordable, attractive, and green. Home prices are roughly $90k - $375k (RMAX)
-- Bob Yoder, 7/31/2022
EXTRA! FOR SALMON WATCHERS: The City of Redmond's NE 95th Street Bridge Bear Creek Enhancement Site (excellent map.) The Bridge is a great place for viewing salmon (Sept.-Nov.)
Friday, December 3, 2021
Heron Canyon
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Senior & Community Center Taking Donations For Solar Power
Become a Solar Champion
Leave a green legacy! Help Redmond become carbon neutral and ensure the sustainability of our environment by purchasing a solar panel to power up the new Redmond Senior & Community Center.
Benefit to Champions:
- Solar Champion Sticker
- Name recognition as a Solar Champion on the website
- Your name/organization listed on a Solar Champions plaque in the lobby of the new Redmond Senior & Community Center
- Businesses: Recognition through social media (over 10,000 followers) and one feature on our Parks and Recreation eNewsletter sent to over 28,000 subscribers
- Your investment is tax deductible!
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Environmentally Sensitive Light Rail Construction Underway
Construction of the Downtown Redmond Light Rail Extension will impact a swath of trees and riparian habitat along Bear Creek in the vicinity of the Overlake Urgent Care Center west to Creekside Crossing and Redmond Center Open Space. Clearing and grading permits are required to remove 144 trees to accommodate the rail, Bear Creek "restoration," and construction access. Most of the trees will be planted off site because they won't survive in the wetland areas. For each significant tree removed, 6 saplings will be planted; for each landmark tree removed 18 saplings will be planted. A section of Bear Creek will have to be dredged to create a "back channel" for flood control and wetland habitat. Back channels are also valuable for salmon rearing.
Overall, approximately 500 linear feet of Bear Creek will be "restored or enhanced" when all is said and done. The Design Builder is encouraged to reuse previously removed trees for onsite habitat features. In addition, Sound Transit plans to purchase off-site wetland mitigation credits at the Keller Farm site further upstream along Bear Creek for any restoration that cannot be accommodated on-site.
All the work near Bear Creek described above is subject to review as part of the City’s shoreline and clearing and grading permits, the Army Corps and the tribes. Construction is over 3 years out.
-- City Council Study Session, 5/28
Meeting memo (map)
* In 2020 I took a tour of the site with City staff. They said the light rail will run five feet over Bear Creek. B.Y.
Monday, September 13, 2021
Large School Of Chinook Spotted At Redmond Trestle Bridge
Photo by John Reinke, Redmond resident, 9/10/2021 (click to enlarge) |
"Thanks (John Reinke) for sending the photos of the salmon in the Sammamish River. I saw them when I was walking on the trestle bridge as well, and I agree, it is the biggest school of salmon (mostly Chinook) that I have seen. We've saw a few in lower Bear Creek last week, and they should really move upstream with the rain later this week.
I believe the Chinook congregate upstream of the trestle because there is a deeper channel/pool there compared to many places in the river. There may also be some groundwater flow into the river that helps to keep it slightly cooler. There are also salmon concentrating under and downstream of the 90th Street bridge outfall because there is groundwater being pumped into the river through the outfall pipe there. The groundwater entering the river provides a cooler pocket of water for the fish to rest until moving upstream.
Thanks, and enjoy the fall,"
Tom
Tom Hardy (he/him) Stream & Habitat Planner, City of Redmond |
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425-556-2762 twhardy@redmond.gov www.redmond.gov |