Strange weather yesterday; sunshine, rain, snow and THUNDER. Spring is making its best attempt to push its way in, but winter is stubbornly clinging.
Drove down to Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge yesterday afternoon when (I thought), the weather might be a bit more cooperative. Silly me, I should know better! As I was on my way there it was partly cloudy with lots of blue sky and intermittent sunshine. By the time I arrived and was headed out to do some birding/photography, I was in the middle of a blizzard. I’m guessing this pair of Osprey was thinking perhaps they should have stayed in Mexico
I had planned on a walk through the pine forest, but as I headed out onto the trail, it began to get windy, snowy and the temperaure was about 35 degrees! Since I was not dressed for winter weather, I opted to head back to the car and take a four-wheel tour around the refuge instead.
The Trumpeter Swans are back; I counted about 20 in the pond at the back of the refuge, which can be seen from the road driving in. I pulled off the side of the road to attempt a few shots, but even at the great distance I was from the pond, they spooked and flew off to another location. My only shot was the south end of a north bound swan!
Nearing the main pond I spotted a flock of about 40 or 50 Snow Geese; so distinctive with their black wingtips against white feathers. Way off in the far reaches of the marsh I counted five Sandhill Cranes; four together and one by itself. Much too far away to see very well with the binoculars, let alone the camera.
Got photos of a couple of male Pheasants; one slowly making its way through the grass into shrubby cover, and the other boldly displaying himself on a log alongside the road. As I approached him the sun came out and lit up the coppery red feathers on his breast, giving them a metallic sheen – beautiful!
I was very surprised that there were no blackbirds to speak of. Typically by now the reeds and cattails are full to the brim of both Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds; squealing and singing to attract females and mark their territories. I only saw a single male, and he was not making a sound.
The ponds and pot holes were teeming with puddle ducks: Mallards, Green-winged Teals, Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers, Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls, and more Coots than I could count, bobbing in the now choppy water. I amazes me that they can stay in the icy cold water and not freeze...
As I was headed out I noticed a Great Blue Heron strolling along the bank on the far side of the main pond. I stopped to watch for a few minutes when it took wing and headed off. Imagine my great surprise when it headed toward me and landed only 15 or 20 feet away! Thankfully, vehicles make a great blind and I was fortunate enough to get numerous photos of it as it searched for a meal. Unfortunately an amateur came zooming up in a very loud, muffler defective vehicle, screeched to a halt, jumped out of his car to snap a quick “Chevy Chase Vacation” photo, and scared the bird off. Some people are just in too much of a hurry to do anything. My only consolation is that his photo will probably be blurred…
As I was headed out I noticed a Great Blue Heron strolling along the bank on the far side of the main pond. I stopped to watch for a few minutes when it took wing and headed off. Imagine my great surprise when it headed toward me and landed only 15 or 20 feet away! Thankfully, vehicles make a great blind and I was fortunate enough to get numerous photos of it as it searched for a meal. Unfortunately an amateur came zooming up in a very loud, muffler defective vehicle, screeched to a halt, jumped out of his car to snap a quick “Chevy Chase Vacation” photo, and scared the bird off. Some people are just in too much of a hurry to do anything. My only consolation is that his photo will probably be blurred…
