Ridgefield NWR.

Yesterday morning I went up to Ridgefield after being away for a couple weeks. 


Shorebirds are showing up and I found lots of peeps and dowitchers and things I fear identifying.  Here goes anyway...tell me if I'm wrong!

Least Sandpipers

 Wilson's Snipe

 Itchy dowitcher


 Long-billed Dowitcher

 Western Sandpipers

Alright enough of that nonsense.  On the trail to the bird blind I found a House Wren with a fresh catch...


The regular birds were out in full force as well.  This Red-winged Blackbird looked normal until he showed me his bad side...


The numbers of American White Pelicans have DOUBLED since my last visit!  From four to eight! Haha. 


And the last bird I have for you is a wee little Marsh Wren, singing his or her heart out...


Other creatures were out and about like this sunning garter snake...


And this swimming muskrat...


So much cuter than nutria.  Good times!!

Comments

  1. I really like the Marsh Wren shot. And such a close snipe! My snipe are garbage.

    Are you coming down to the bay this year? I prolly won't be making it to PDX this winter.

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    1. ps your sandpipers, as far as I can tell, are correct. You're really good at birding.

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    2. I do hope to make down there sometime, but it really depends on finding a house so I can convince friends to dog-sit... Yeah, who cares about PDX with Florida and Costa Rica on the books?!

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  2. Nice Snipe shot! And excellent I.D. on the Muskrat!!!

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    1. Haha, I was thinking of those comments on your blog when I was posting that muskrat pic. Oh, and I totally voted for you the other day! I was not expecting a ballot in the mail with your name on it.

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  3. Great line up of shorebirds!! IM especially jealous of it all. Lovely photos of course and I love the top shop...Im a flower gal for sure. I feel your pain on a dog sitter---its hard to travel with 2 dogs the size of yours (and mine) Dontcha sometimes wish they were toy fox terriers? Then you could carry one under each arm.
    They are smaller than a muskrat. ;o)

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  4. Jen, what a great outing. Some shorebirds are tough for me to id. I love the first shot and the Snipe is my favorite. Wonderful photos and post. Happy birding and have a great weekend!

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  5. Nice! It looks like you scored 100% on this nature test. Are those spriggy, spikey, Jim-Hensen looking plants in your first photo called Teasels?

    It was really nice of you to photograph that Red-winged Blackbird. I bet it made him feel like a million bucks, given his condition.

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    1. Teasel, yes that sounds right... Funny I've been thinking it was thistle, but you (and google) have shown me the light!

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  7. "This Red-winged Blackbird looked normal until he showed me his bad side..." I love your blog.

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