Ridgefield NWR 11-15-14

[Bill Anderson]

Saturday (11/15/14) my son and I stopped at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge while on the way to visit my parents in Vancouver.

Three deer were in the field south of the road just past the bridge.


I initially thought this was a fawn until it came into better view.


Three more deer were grazing beside the loop road.


One wore a radio collar...


and yellow ear tag #59.

 

[Bill Anderson]

It is the time of year when visitors are not allowed to leave their vehicles. I took these photos from the car using the 5DIII + 100-400L zoom.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Visitors are allowed to leave their vehicles at the site of a blind about half way around the loop. I set up the 7D + 500L telephoto + 1.4x teleconverter in the blind and took photos of migrating waterfowl in the lake.






Adult tundra swans.




Adult and juvenile tundra swans.

 

[Terry O]

Nice recap of your visit, Bill.

 

[photographmemories]

Wow, good for you! Ridgefield seems hoppin' right now. I haven't been up there since the beginning of the year, maybe longer. The last couple times I was less than impressed.

Seems waterfowl are plentiful and closer to the road, autumn is usually a good season at the refuge for birders and photographers.

Thanks for sharing, Bill.



Chad

 

[Bill Anderson]

There is an internet listing of weekly sightings that you can consult to determine whether or not a visit is worth your effort.
http://ridgefieldfriends.org/visit-the-refuge/bird-sightings/

Edit: Sorry for this redundant post, but I cannot find any way of deleting it.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Wow, good for you! Ridgefield seems hoppin' right now. I haven't been up there since the beginning of the year, maybe longer. The last couple times I was less than impressed. Chad

There is much more avian action during the migration season. Check this link for recent bird sightings to decide whether or not a visit is worth your effort.
http://ridgefieldfriends.org/visit-the-refuge/bird-sightings/

Although my adult son was with me, he is disabled and unable to drive. Bringing along a "designated driver" will free you up for bird spotting and photography. I was fortunate Saturday as everyone pulled over as best they could to the side of the narrow road when they wanted to stop and watch or photograph. This made it easy for us to "leap frog" each other as we drove the loop.

I finished the loop shortly after sunset, about an hour before the 5:30pm closing time. At times I had to shoot with + or - exposure compensation due to the low angle of the sun.