Secret Spot for Birdbrains - Federal Way, Washington
Posted by: 
Hikenutty
N 47° 19.719 W 122° 22.576
10T E 547128 N 5241875
This view can be enjoyed by the birdbrained and non birdbrained alike. Dumas Bay on the Puget Sound is the perfect spot for birdwatchers and yet almost no one knows of this overlook in a secret city park.
Waymark Code: WM15ZH
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 01/26/2007
Views: 92
Dumas Bay sits a couple hundred feet below this waymark and the views across the Puget Sound are astounding. You'll see Vashon Island, and on a clear day the Olympic Mountains. But on any day you will see birds, birds and more birds. The best time to visit is at low tide when the birds come to hunt and fish.
This overlook is behind the Dumas Bay Centre and Knutsen Family Theatre. The Center was originally an abbey, but it was bought by the city and turned into a retreat center. Most people don't realize that the area behind the building is open to the public. It's surrounded by trees and the buildings so you don't even know it's there unless someone tells you. Facing the buildings, you'll want to go to your left down the length of the parking lot until you reach the very last stall. To your right between the two hedges you'll notice a gravel path. Follow this path and you will be astounded by the view that will open up to you. You will likely have it to yourself so sit down in the gazebo and relax. Be sure to explore the grounds. There is an art gallery in the lobby of the center, a sculpture at the entrance, and a story pole and salmon sculpture on the grounds behind the building.
When you are standing at the coordinates given, you will have an interpretive sign in front of you which talks of the birds who are frequent visitors to the bay you see below. To log this waymark you must email me with the names of 4 of the 6 different bird types listed on this sign.
Terrain Rating: 
Photo Required: Not Listed
Hint: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:Visitors must answer the verification questions (or post a photo when that alternative is allowed). The answers should be emailed to the waymark owner for verification, not to the category officers. Answers should never be posted in the logs. Visitor are also asked to rank their experience for "Wow". Premium members should use the ranking feature (1 means "wasn't worth the visit" and 5 means "Wow"). Non-premium members can let us know in their logs.