Here’s a set of photos from my January 21, 2014, outing at the Ridgefield NWR in Washington state.
Starting with a Northern Harrier in hunting mode (from a distance). Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f5.6, ISO 800, 700mm.
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A Northern Flicker, possibly a juvenile. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f5.6, ISO 800, 700mm.
I witnessed some Bald Eagle action way out in the distance which yielded some documentary photos. Here two eagles stir up the ducks while one of the eagles has a catch of some sort in its talons. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/2000, f5.6, ISO 500, 700mm.
A real heavy crop on one of the eagles. Same settings.
This shot was taken from a distance of about 600 feet, showing the size difference between a crow and an eagle. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/2000, f5.6, ISO 500, 700mm.
Another long distance shot of an eagle landing. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/2000, f5.6, ISO 500, 700mm.
A Northern Shoveler. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/2000, f5.6, ISO 640, 700mm.
Another Northern Harrier in flight. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/2000, f5.6, ISO 500, 700mm.
All the following swan pictures are of the same bird, which was oddly by itself in a waterway only about 35 feet off the road. It was acting somewhat distressed although I could not detect any obvious reasons for this. It’s a Trumpeter Swan, the first I have ever seen at Ridgefield. I’m not glad I got these pictures because it might have been ill, but it was nice to see this bird close up. Refuge personnel were contacted about the bird and I didn’t receive any information about its fate. The rufous-stained neck and head comes from the bird foraging in iron-rich waters.
Canon 5D Mark III, 1/2000, f5.6, ISO 250, 700mm.
Canon 5D Mark III, 1/2000, f5.6, ISO 250, 700mm.
Canon 5D Mark III, 1/2000, f5.6, ISO 250, 700mm.
An American Kestrel, not as sharp as I would have liked — photographer error. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/2000, f5.6, ISO 640, 700mm.
A Red-tailed Hawk checking around for its next meal. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f5.6, ISO 1600, 700mm.
Trumpeter Swan – Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f9, ISO 1250, 700mm.
Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f9, ISO 1250, 700mm.
Bufflehead. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f9, ISO 1250, 700mm.
From far away, a dark morph Red-tailed Hawk on a fence post. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f5.6, ISO 1600, 700mm.
A failed attempt at a Pintail looking right at me. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1250, f5.6, ISO 2500, 700mm.
Flying Northern Harrier. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1000, f5.6, ISO 2000, 500mm.
Proud Great Egret hoping for a vole. Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1000, f5.6, ISO 1000, 500mm.
That’s about it for this winter day on the refuge. Take care and we’ll see you next time!
