100 Yards Of Wildlife (LOTS of images!)

[Scottes]

I had some time this morning so I decided to visit the local Wildlife Refuge where I normally get plenty of Red-Winged Blackbirds. They've been scarce this year, but there's plenty of other stuff....

I got there shortly after dawn, and walked down the trail leading to the dike that separates the two ponds, and started shooting. 100 yards later I was halfway through my second gig card and decided to turn around. Good thing I did - even after chimping to delete I left there with room for 14 images.

1,5 hours, 100 yards, 2 gig cards...


First this Marsh Wren was singing for me...

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/MarshWren_57927.jpg


Then a pair of Mute Swans suddenly flew overhead. I really wish that I hadn't clipped the wing, but it was a surprise and they were pretty close.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/MuteSwan_57935.jpg


Back to the Marsh Wren for a minute...

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/MarshWren_57939.jpg


I scared this Great Blue Heron who was fishing just a few feet from the dike. I'm pretty upset over this, since I *know* the GBHs like to feed at that spot. Argh!

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/GBH_57960.jpg


A beaver floated by at this point, but I couldn't get a pic... Too much marsh grass in the way.


Then some female Red-Winged Blackbirds posed for me...

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/RWB_57971.jpg

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/RWB_57982.jpg

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/RWB_57999.jpg


And a GBH flew overhead, but the shots were crummy.


Some movement caught my eye, and it took a second to find out what caused it... Luckily I had my 100-400 - I love that this lens can focus so close.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/DragonFly_58046.jpg


I feel ashamed for not knowing what kind of bird this is and I don't have time to look it up. So, Justabird.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Justabird_58048.jpg


I saw a GBH fishing.... Standard "GBH standing in water" shots that aren't worth posting.


But then a butterfly flew in... Again, I love the 100-400... This BF is about the size of a US quarter.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Butterfly_58052.jpg


The GBH was still standing in water, and the Justabird was singing for my attention again. He wanted 14 sunflower seeds to sign the model release, so I have to go back in a few days to pay him.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Justabird_58065.jpg


And then a rustling in the bushes alerted me to an animal larger than a bird... I watched the bushes shaking, crunching the dry stuff, and a turtle came ambling out to cross the dike.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Turtle_58079.jpg


Hey, the GBH actually caught something!


http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/GBH_58090.jpg


And then he went walking to find a better fishing spot. At least he wasn't standing in the water, and I like the reflection.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/GBH_58113.jpg


Another Dragonfly...

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Dragonfly_58119.jpg


And another Marsh Wren....

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/MarshWren_58121.jpg


Even though they've been scarce, I did manage to get an RWB.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/RWB_58128.jpg


And then the Mute Swans flew by again, wishing me farewell.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/MuteSwan_58137.jpg


Quite the morning.

[tupe]

You have enough great shots here for a book, Scott. Love the heron with the toad. Might the brown bird be a chipping sparrow? Hard to tell without comparing them.

Great stuff!

[Maureen Souza]

What a great morning..... lovely shots!

[MarkoPolo]

Those special days kind of make up for all the "stinkers" when you go out with high hopes and nothing happens. WOW, those are some great shots, thanks for sharing.

[sparker1]

Really nice work, Scott.

[IanD]

OK, what did you bribe them with? Double Shots? Timmys? Red's Lobster rolls?
Red's clams? Poutine?
:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Great walk, great images.

[PhotosGuy]

Very nice shots! Especially the last Marsh Wren!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Haha.. sounds like a good day! :)

Great shots..

...isn't it nice having decent weather? :)

[Airedale1]

What a fruitful day! Great images, as always. I love the one of the GBH taking the frog.

[LazyPhotographer]

Wow! And you got out and walked - the Ninja is back! The swans and the last wren are my faves. I vote Song Sparrow for the singer.

Just curious though - how's the Crown Vic handle in a marsh?? LOL

[guitarman3]

Scott, thanks for sharing your photos of a successful outing. I went to a local WL refuge recently and didn't see nearly the number of creatures you were able to catch. Great series.

[Scottes]

Finally back from a long weekend camping... And a busy one, too, as I took shots of the fireworks, a fire-eater, and took another (not so fruitful walk) looking for birds. I'll be busy for a while tonight....


Thanks for the comments folks.

Now that everyone's saying "chipping sparrow" it reminds me that the Justabird must be a song sparrow. I've captured many song sparrows in this WR.

MarkoPolo, you are absolutely correct. This single morning made up for the completely shotless month of May! It is nice to have days like this.

IanD, no bribes. I just treat them with love, understanding, and patience. More importantly, though, I look for the egotistic birds and tell them that they'll be famous... :-)

CDS, yes, this weather is amazing. What a weekend! Hey, I was down at Allen's Pond in Westport. The terns were going crazy, though nothing else was. And I found a path out to the marsh that's free of poison ivy. What are you doing next weekend?

Lazy, the Ninja may be back after so long. Who couldn't get psyched after a day like this? (PS: The Crown Vic does NOT like the marsh, since it slows her down too much. She spent the hour taunting and teasing a Geo Metro in the parking lot, which was not a pretty sight.)

[ssim]

Great shots Scott. Love the dragonflies. They are difficult to hold focus on at the best of times.

Now if you want RWB's.... well you know where to come.http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

[CyberDyneSystems]

And I found a path out to the marsh that's free of poison ivy. What are you doing next weekend?


Walking down that path in Allens Pond I guess!!! :)

[cfcRebel]

Wow, what a great day you have had, and in just 100 yards. That motivates me to go out more. ;)
Thanks for sharing Scott.

[tommykjensen]

Wow beautifull photos. I really like the (a)symmetri in the shot of the swans.