It's always a surprise to find something new right under your nose. This was the case for me with the Takena Landing Trail. This riverside trail starts from a park right under the busy bridge across the Willamette River in downtown Albany. It would be impossible for me to calculate the number of times I have crossed this bridge in the past 60 years, oblivious to any trail.

Today was my first, and hopefully not my last hike here. Towering cottonwood trees, with a smattering of Ash and Maple trees isolate this trail from the city and the abutting golf course.

We were surprised to find this to be a great trail for birding, that is, listening to birds, not necessarily seeing birds. The lush overhead foliage of the trees and the thick under brush of blackberries and nettles effective conceal most of the birds. We were able to spot Robins, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Crows, Spotted Towhees, and Song Sparrows. We could hear the song, but not find numerous unidentified birds.