Union Bay Loop - Seattle

The Union Bay Natural Area is part of the UW Botanic Gardens.  The flat and well-maintained crushed gravel trail is about a mile long depending on where you start.  There are many short dirt spurs off of the main trail that lead to interesting ponds and wetlands.  The trail offers great views of the bay and the city, while the looming stadium nearby provides a unique contrast to the feeling of being surrounded by nature.  A section of the trail forms part of a popular bike shortcut for people commuting from the northeast to UW campus.

When I visited I saw lots of waterfowl and shorebirds.  The highlight was getting a close view of a Great Blue Heron, as these are typically spooked from a greater distance along the Buffalo River, where I usually encounter them.

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