I spent a bit of time at Ridgefield this year enjoying capturing photos of the birds. I have not been doing much photography, and I thought birding might be something I would enjoy. I do enjoy it, I enjoy watching birds and photographing them, but the need for ever longer lenses is a real handicap in pursuing it as a hobby. What I can get with my 200mm lens has been nice. In the winter the Refuge is very much a target-rich environment, particularly if you like Blue Herons:
Swans are seasonal visitors.
The deer here are some endangered Columbia River variety
Also: little brown jobs
Egrets, I think?
Coyotes
And, if you are lucky enough to see them, raptors:
This guy showed up in my backyard and I got a few shots of him. Apparently they drill holes in a tree, and then lick up the sap that runs out. So I don’t know if they are bad for trees (this guy was on my neighbor’s Birch Tree. I hope not! Cute little bird though, and he didn’t seem to mind me coming out into the yard to get closer for a picture.
One of my goals for this year is to spend more time photographing birds. I only have a 200mm lens right now for my camera, which is a bit small, but I think I can get close enough to get a few good shots, and that will keep it interesting to get started. For a target rich environment, around here there is nothing better than Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and the auto loop. You get to drive a couple mile loop around the refuge, with room to pull over to spend more time if you want to, and photograph birds and animals that are so used to the cars, they will wander pretty close by.
Lots of waterfowl. This is a great opportunity to just enjoy them at the refuge, and come home and spend some time looking up what they are and learning about them.
Lots of birds coming and going. I love these geese against the puffy clouds.
You have to stay on the loop, and stay in your car! Or the little adorable birds will get you!
The refuge is also just a beautiful place to visit, with lovely scenic views and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, broken up only by the occasional Amtrak train zipping by on the east end of it, and the quiet sounds of birds.
The stars of this visit were the Trumpeter Swans. They migrate through here. They are so beautiful and dignified – well, most of the time.
What’s up, swan butt?
Red-winged Black Birds hide in the reeds.
And Raptors hide in the trees – in this case a juvinile Bald Eagle.
Little black Coots.
A Great Egret
There’s always at least one good opportunity to capture a Great Blue Heron.
Red Tailed Hawk. They sit high up in the trees and watch over the wetlands.
And the big surprise on this trip:
An American Bittern, hiding in the tall reeds right close to the road, making a weird ‘buh loop’ kind of sound. Look them up on Youtube, they are really cool!
This guy says STAY ON THE ROAD and I think he means it!
A trip around Ridgefield is always a good use of time, you just never know what you will see!
Steff Does Stuff! 