Aug. 27, 2013 – Ridgefield NWR – 16 New Photos

Returning now with some images from Aug. 27, 2013, taken at the Ridgefield NWR in Washington state.  The weather was somewhat cloudy but warm.

I’m starting off today with a River Otter that I spotted about 50 feet from the road.  It was busy swimming around, obviously hunting for fish.  If it would have stayed right there as it continued to catch fish, I might have had some really nice otter shots.  But, as luck would have it, the critter decided to swim away from the road probably another 80 feet, and hunted in this new spot for the next 20 minutes.  Even though it was outside camera range, I took some shots anyway.  Actually the first shot here was at the closer distance of about 50 feet; the other two were from the longer distance.  Canon 5D Mark III, 1/500, f4, ISO 400, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens.  (7:22 a.m.)

 

 

Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1000, f4, ISO 800, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens.    (7:34)

 

Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f4, ISO 640, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens.    (7:43)

 

I came across a couple of Black-tailed Deer to the left of the road near marker #6.  One of them looked up,  though it had some grass in front of it.   Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f4, ISO 800, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens.  (7:47)

 

If you read last week’s blog posting you know about the American Kestrel female that hangs out on signs around marker #12.  Here’s another shot.   Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f5.6, ISO 1600, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens +1.4x III (700mm).  (8:28)

 

This next shot was more of a test of the new lens than anything.  The egrets were about 300 feet out in Rest Lake so I took the shot just to see if I could get any detail in the birds’ feathers.  I think the lens did alright for that distance.

Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f5.6, ISO 1000, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens +1.4x III (700mm).  (8:37)

 

Here’s what I’m guessing is a juvenile American Goldfinch.  I’m not sure if he’s gaining yellow feathers or losing them!  🙂 Either way it’s a bad hair day.   Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f5.6, ISO 1250, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens +1.4x III (700mm).   (9:01)

 

In the Ash tree forest, I spotted this Belted Kingfisher across the water–way too far for a decent shot–but I needed to try the lens out on this bird.  The bird was a good 80 feet away and lighting was questionable.  Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f5.6, ISO 1250, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens +1.4x III (700mm).   (9:27)

My Kestrel friend again on her favorite refuge sign.    Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f5.6, ISO 1250, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens +1.4x III (700mm).   (9:38)

 

And another image of the Kestrel after she left the sign and headed for a small bush about 100 feet off the road.    Canon 5D Mark III, 1/16000, f5.6, ISO 1000, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens +1.4x III (700mm).   (9:45)

 

A Turkey Vulture was perched on a tree about 300 feet off the road so I thought I would test the lens out again.  While not tack sharp, it has picked up a lot of details in both feathers and head.  Not too bad at a distance of a football field.    Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1600, f5.6, ISO 1000, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens +1.4x III (700mm).   (10:02)

As I was entering the Ash tree forest, this White-breasted Nuthatch landed on a mossy branch above me about 20 feet away.  I got a couple of quick handheld shots off before it flew.  I love the sharpness here and the excellent bokeh produced by the Canon 500mm.   Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1600, f5.6, ISO 1000, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens +1.4x III (700mm).    (10:20)

 

I’m beginning to see small flocks of Canada/Cackling Geese show up at the refuge which is a sure sign that Fall is imminent.  I was stopped on the east side of Rest Lake when I picked this bird out of a small flock flying right by me.   A decent flight shot with the 700mm set up, processed in b&w with Silver Efex Pro 2.   Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1600, f5.6, ISO 1000, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens +1.4x III (700mm).   (10:45)

A Red-tailed Hawk circling high above me.  The nictitating membrane has been deployed by the bird.   Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1600, f5.6, ISO 1000, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens +1.4x III (700mm).   (11:01)

 

A stationary duck from about 40-50 feet.  I call this one, “Sitting Duck.”    Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1600, f5.6, ISO 1000, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens +1.4x III (700mm).    (11:15)

 

And, at turtle from about 40 feet.  This one was actually taken at 500mm.  I tried some shots with and without the 1.4x.  Of the images I snapped, this one was the sharpest.   Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f4, ISO 1000, Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens.   (12:22 p.m.)

 

 

That will wrap it up for this week!  Thanks for dropping by and take care all!