Spring Into Action

Spring has returned to the refuge. The warm weather has everyone thinking about spring (and even summer). The animals are also getting into the swing of the season, in fact several weeks earlier than normal. This morning there was a hazy mist in the air more typical of a June morning than of March.

One sure sign of spring is the Red-winged Blackbirds scoping out territory and displaying. At Great Meadows they get so used to people walking by that it is easy to get shots like these.






Another sure sign of spring are all the ducks. They are more challenging to photograph because they are wary of people (probably because we shoot at them). Even with a long lens it is tough to get close to anything other than a Mallard.


Male Wood Duck in flight


Trio of Ruddy Ducks in Lower Impoundment


Mallard on Final Approach


As a child I always looked for Robins as a sign of spring. There was a small group of them, somewhat cooperatively foraging on the path.




Near by one of the year round resident Downy Woodpeckers was exploring a dead tree



I often hear things before I see them. All of a sudden I heard some rustling in the grass. I looked down to see this muskrat at my feet. (If he was any closer I would have stepped on him.) I had to back up beyond my lens' minimum focusing distance to take these close ups. Which version do you like better the horizontal or vertical orientation?






I had been playing leapfrog with Kathy and Will as they were conducting the bird census. On the backside of the Upper Impoundment we were treated to a fly-by of a pair of Belted Kingfishers. I imagined that they were returning and checking out the area.




AS I was leaving I encountered this grackle in a tree near the kiosk. They aren't the prettiest birds, but in the right light they look good. Since it was posing so nicely I had to include this photo.

Sunday Afternoon Walk

The wind finally died down to a reasonable level, so I decided to venture over to Great Meadows to see how spring was progressing.


Bluebirds were flitting back and forth near the river by the Southwest entrance.


Canada Goose turning onto final approach


Another one lifts off


A rare glimpse of a muskrat eating in the water


Red-winged blackbirds are starting to increase in numbers


It's hard not to take a beautiful shot with the setting sun at your back


Synchronized swimming - Mallard style


On the way out, I paid a quick visit to see if the Screech Owl was at home. He wasn't out when I first arrived, but it soon it poked its head out. Unfortunately the sun was already below the horizon and only a very high ISO and slow shutter speed would allow for these photos. Unfortunately they are a bit noisy / grainy as a result. The is the first time, I've caught this owl with its eyes open. Unfortunately the light disappeared and I had to run before I could see him fly.


An animal chirping caught its attention


Doesn't like having its photo taken

Spring Is On Its Way

Saturday morning I arrived at Great Meadows as the sun was cresting the tree line. My had the refuge changed in just a few days. The impoundments previously covered in ice except for patches of open water, were now open water with patches of ice remaining. Song sparrows greeted me in song as I ventured onto the Cross-Dike Trail.



As I approached the Boat Ramp, I was greeted with the unmistakable songs of Red-Winged Blackbirds. While robins wintered over, the return of the Red-winged Blackbirds is a sure sign that spring is rapidly approaching. Soon I expect the refuge will be filled with them each trying to lay claim to his own territory., hoping to attract a mate.








There was quite a bit of duck activity. Mallards flying too and fro. Near the Poison Ivy bench a pair of male Hooded Mergansers were trying impress a couple of females. (I've got to stop trying to use auto focus, when there are so many little twigs to grab the focus.) They were quite a distance away, but included a couple of "record" shots. I love their crested heads. Near the other end of the lower impoundment, another pair wth their crests back, was swimming until they saw me.








The shy Screech Owl was sun bathing in his hole near the holt. But when he heard the shutter he quickly went back inside. Unfortunately there is no view of the hole that is not blocked by branches. I am including this photo, just so people know what they are looking for.



Along the way I also encountered several other animals is various forms of activity.


Several Common Goldeneyes couldn't decide which impoundment they wanted to swim in


hairy Woodpecker contemplates its next tree


Canada Geese seemed to be pairing up. Several were seen checking out muskrat lodges. Last year a couple used them to nest.