Owned and managed by the Columbia Audubon Society, Wild Haven Nature Area stretches along the upper reaches of Hinkson Creek in northeast Boone County. Remote and "undeveloped," it is not a destination for those seeking manicured trails and rustic bridges.
On the other hand, it is ideal for those seeking solitude and a peaceful walk through the winter woods. Today we encountered only wildlife, consisting primarily of common forest songbirds; a red-shouldered hawk and a sizable flock of rusty blackbirds were the highlights.
Remoteness, a lack of "comfort facilities" and uneven trails are all gifts for the naturalist. The natural residents thrive in the undisturbed wildness while our fellow humans head elsewhere, preferring park-like settings and graveled (if not paved) trails.
