I spent Wednesday morning up at Ridgefield where things are starting to get more interesting again. Still lots of young birds around like this Red-winged Blackbird:
I walked the Kiwa Trail and found it pretty quiet, but did see this young Cooper's Hawk:
And then he took off...
There were tons of swallows attempting to land on these plants:
Nearby, one of the cutest baby Marsh Wrens I've ever seen was clinging to some one of the plants:
Also on the Kiwa were tons of little frogs:
This next one would have easily sat comfortably on my thumbnail:
Can't go wrong with tiny frogs. Shorebirds are still moving through with Greater Yellowlegs being the only ones sticking in close viewing range.
I scanned Rest Lake with my bins expecting to find only indistinguishable sandpipers, but actually found some kind of plover... My pictures are blurry messes but it looks like a Black-bellied?
On my way out I stopped to take some pictures of a Red-tailed Hawk perched low and close to the road...
He was sitting there looking pretty, and then he took a giant poop.
Good times!!
I walked the Kiwa Trail and found it pretty quiet, but did see this young Cooper's Hawk:
And then he took off...
There were tons of swallows attempting to land on these plants:
Nearby, one of the cutest baby Marsh Wrens I've ever seen was clinging to some one of the plants:
Also on the Kiwa were tons of little frogs:
This next one would have easily sat comfortably on my thumbnail:
Can't go wrong with tiny frogs. Shorebirds are still moving through with Greater Yellowlegs being the only ones sticking in close viewing range.
I scanned Rest Lake with my bins expecting to find only indistinguishable sandpipers, but actually found some kind of plover... My pictures are blurry messes but it looks like a Black-bellied?
On my way out I stopped to take some pictures of a Red-tailed Hawk perched low and close to the road...
He was sitting there looking pretty, and then he took a giant poop.
Good times!!
Such a great variety. Love that shot of the marsh wren. Great eye to spot him. Yes, that's a black bellied plover in the middle. We a lot of those here.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. Is that a red-tailed? The tail looks like it has black and gray bands.
ReplyDeleteGreat collection of birds, Jen! I love the cute wren and that last hawk is awesome. You got some great shots. Happy Birding and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe last hawk pictures are so super clear!!! Totally keepers!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos Jen! Excellent side view of the Red-tailed Hawk. I really like the Wren and Barn Swallow pics.
ReplyDeleteIf you have more images of the Yellowlegs you should look through them. The one in the back could be a Lesser. It's bill is barely longer than its head, but that could be because it isn't perfectly perpendicular to the camera. Check out a couple of Greg's links: http://www.pbase.com/gregbirder/image/128249677 & http://nwbackyardbirder.blogspot.com/2010/09/id-yellowlegs.html for details.
@Rick- thanks for the links, I was basing my ID's on their calls primarily.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and it sounds like you had a great time. Wildlife management areas are a lot of fun for me also.
ReplyDeleteYour post made me chuckle because it made me remember one from a month or two ago where I think it was a GBH that pooped in front of you too!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are outstanding! I enjoyed each photo.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Red Tail shots omg...so sharp and crisp!! LOVE THOSE EYES>
ReplyDeleteGreat action on the swallows and the coopers too!!
SWEET frogs--
Great Photos Jen, you had another fruitful visit to Ridgefield!!