Today was our first opportunity to explore in the Sea Bird'sZodiacs. We spent the entire morningmaking our way through the man-made lake behind Lower Monumental Dam, cruising towards the free flowing Palouse River. Our journey took us through the Channeled Scablands, moving slightly north along a very shallow body of water. On the way, we learned about the unusual ecosystem; its plants and animals, and also about the indigenous peoples who called this place home for thousands of years. They were the Palouse Indians who greeted Lewis and Clark during their westward journey through the Palouse country, nearly 200 years ago.
We ducked into small channels, stopping the Zodiac to listen to the wind in the cattails, as birds flew up and darted away. We then allowed our craft to rest against the columnar basalt wall to have a closer look at lichen and fragile plants accumulating on small ledges. The lower edges were covered with deserted nests left by bank swallows. We could see each individual mud dab left by the swallows as these same nests had been built this last spring. Slowly we became immersed and more aware of this unique environment. Continuing north we listened to stories of the Palouse people riding through the coolies and dales on their Appaloosa horses watching and listening as we did, to the sounds and sights around us. As yet another story was finished about the old Palouse relatives, a redtail hawk sprang from the brush in rapid pursuit of a golden eagle. Presumably, the hawk was guarding its prey. The hawk was relentless as it chased this enormous eagle just fifty yards in front of our zodiac towards the bank of the river. They continued their flight for several more minutes, giving us a breathtaking view of the eagle's golden head and the voice of the hawk, in close pursuit.
Our return on board was drier if we sat down on the floor of the Zodiac, because by late morning a fresh wind sprang up. The ride against the wind sent droplets sailing over our heads.
