Killin Wetlands Nature Park and the Quilt Barn Trails in Oregon

 

Killin Wetlands Nature Park

We ventured north today up along Hwy 47 towards Banks, Oregon. Our first stop was the Killin Wetlands Nature Park Trail. The park was formerly a dairy farm built in 1941. It is over 370 acres of peat soil wetlands and scrub-shrub marshes. It is a great trail for bird watching, wildlife viewing, observing wildflowers and other native plant species. The trail is short. It is only 0.7-mile long. The trail does not get close to the water, so make sure that you bring a long binoculars or a spotting scope to view the birdlife and wildlife in the area. If you plan on taking pictures of any of the wildlife or birds on the trail, you will need a good zoom lens for your camera at least 500mm. My 300mm didn't even get close enough to capture the four bald eagles and the great blue heron we were so blessed to see on this outing. The area is known for the sightings of American Bittern, Greater Yellowlegs, Mallards, Double-Crested Cormorants, and many other species of birds and elk.

Killin Wetlands

Adult Bald Eagle

Juvenile Bald Eagle

Great Blue Heron

Honey Bee

Curly Dock

Chamomile

Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne's Lace

Pine Cone

Wild Oat

Wild Sweet Pea

Quilt Barn Trails of Oregon

The restored barn at the beginning of the Killin Wetlands Nature Park trailhead features one of the giant quilt blocks of one of Oregon's Quilt Barn Trail. The Oregon Quilt Barn Trails are four trails located throughout Tualatin Valley in Washington County. All of the wooden quilt blocks are located on the sides of barns scattered throughout Banks, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, Cornelius, North Plains, Helvetia, Aloha, Scholls, Sherwood, and Tualatin. The wooden quilt blocks are hand-painted in traditional quilt patterns that hold some significance to the farm owner or history of Oregon, the history of the surrounding area, or the history of the farm. We were able to view a few of the quilt blocks on the west part of the Quilt Barn Trail, but we plan on checking out more of the quilt blocks in the near future. It was a great time and a way to learn more about the farms in the Tualatin Valley.

The Killin Wetlands Kistner Barn Quilt Block's theme is “Doves in the Window.” It represents birds, as Killin Wetlands is a bird sanctuary.

 

Doves in the Window

The L Bar T Bison Ranch Quilt Block's theme is "Eight-pointed star." It represents the pattern made by women crossing the Oregon Trail.

The Walta Farm Quilt Block's theme is "Corn and Beans." It represents the sweet corn and green beans grown in rotation on the farm.

Corn and Beans

The Rohrer Farm Quilt Block's theme is "Chasing Geese." This design was chosen by the Rohrer's due to the many geese in the area, and also to honor the six tribes of Native Americans that made their home very near to the site.

Chasing Geese

Until Next Time

Happy Creating and Hiking!

Have a blessed weekend!

God Bless,