Ridgefield NWR 06-12-11

I went up to Ridgefield this morning for the first time in a couple weeks.  The weather was perfect and I saw lots of good stuff, starting with the Barn Swallows nesting at the office.


Bullfrogs are calling all over the refuge right now... I love 'em.


I watched a Red-winged Blackbird feeding her young... I was excited to actually see the red patch on the mom's wing.


A Black-headed Grosbeak was snacking with some waxwings along the road...


There are bunnies everywhere. 


I saw what I think was a flock of Pine Siskins feeding at the top of a tree... Tell me if I'm wrong...


The Kiwa Trail was extremely active this morning...  On many occasions I would catch sight of a rail butt as it disappeared into the grass along the trail.  The Marsh Wrens were numerous and this was probably the only quiet one:


Yummy bug mouth.  Another wren, a bit louder....


My favorite experience of this trip was a Sora that seemed rather confused.  He came out of the grass ahead of me and paced around, returned to the grass and walked alongside me (out of sight) peeping loudly, then emerged from the grass again to eventually cross the trail. 



Pretty cool.  On the way out I stopped to look at the turtles sunning themselves... I think they were all painted turtles.


That was about it... Good times!

Comments

  1. Jen, what a great outing and cute critters. Loved all the photos. The hawk and juvie is a cool sighting and I would have loved to be there to see the Sora. I do see the Pine Siskin. I hope you have agreat week and wish you good birding.

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  2. You may already realize this, but the reason that one marsh wren was quiet and its beak was full of bugs was because it was on its way to feed nestlings and didn't want you to know where she\he was going. Sneaky.
    This morning at Wapato Trail on Sauvie Island, I watched a group of Bushtit fledglings being fed by the parents. Pretty happenin' spring!

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  3. OH yeah....congrats on the Sora. Amazing photo. I've seen plenty, photographed a few, but non as perfect as the one in your photo. Such a nice photo. Check out my pelegic trip pics.

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  4. I love the turtles basking in the sun...wish it would come back!

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  5. Great photos and a lovely post. All wildlife is a joy to watch and study.

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  6. Great shots! Love the bullfrog photo- I got some good shots of bullfrog tadpoles in the Willamette last year. They are huge. As usual, you took some more amazing bird photos.

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  7. What a great walk around!! Excellent detail in your photos today I love that bull frog with his double chin and the swallow shot is to die for. That Sora may have been trying to lead you away from a nest who knows--sure was a great prespective on that shot!!

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