Camas Prairie

The Camas Prairie--the flat area located around Fairfield, east of Mountain Home--is wet, marshy and full of standing water this spring.

That means excellent birding opportunities. Cinammon teal, canvasbacks, scaup and many other waterfowl species can be seen in many of the wetland areas. Long-billed curlews, sandhill cranes and avocets are also easily seen.

Elk, pronghorn, coyotes, badgers and Columbia ground squirrels can often be found in drier areas.

While much of the abundant bird life can be seen from Highway 20--which crosses the area--Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Centennial Marsh is an excellent place to see larger flocks of shorebirds and waterfowl.

In a few weeks, when more snow melts, the area will be covered in wildflowers, a beautiful spring sight.

It's a nice road trip and is easily combined with a visit to The Nature Conservancy's Silver Creek Preserve.

Photo by Idaho Department of Fish and Game.