My Refuge at the Refuge

Another very rewarding photography day with a trip to Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville, Montana.

The Sandhill Cranes returned a few weeks ago, and the celebration among the locals is akin to the Swallows returning to Capistrano.  These magnificent birds nest on the refuge among the thick reeds and cattails, and are highly protected by staff to avoid intrusion by curious visitors.  Their call is nothing short of prehistoric, and sounds more like a rusty siren than a bird.

A pair of Bald Eagles greeted me as I drove onto the refuge, perched in the top of a large Cottonwood near the edge of the main pond.

Herons are nesting in the tall pine and spruce trees along the edge of the ponds. Considering their large wingspan and long legs, it amazes me how these birds can even land in the branches.  But they do, and return to the same nest every year.

The numbers for Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds seem very low at this point, and not much variety yet in the waterfowl. Canada Geese, Coots (or Mud Hens), Northern Shoveler, Cinnamon Teals and of course Mallards, are ever present, many even over-wintering at the refuge.


My prize for the day was finally being able to get photos of the elusive little Marsh Wrens!  These tiny birds live among the dense cattails, and while you can hear them calling from everywhere, they don't stay exposed to view for more than a few moments before diving back into the reeds.  But these little guys were not only quite vocal today, but also quite visible and I was rewarded with numerous shots of them. This alone was worth the entire day of shooting. 

The Marsh Wrens were not the only prize that day however, for as I was photographing a pair of Osprey on their nest, an intruder dove in and was either attempting to steal their fish, or trying to commandeer the nest.  Either way, the male resident was quick to defend both his food and his domain, and drove the intruder off.  I've never witnessed this behavior before, and was lucky enough to capture the initial moments of the fight with my camera.   

                                       

At home on the Range

I kicked off the month of May with a trip to one of my favorite places; the National Bison Range in Moises, Montana.  I was hoping, because of unseasonably warmer weather and lack of snow, that the long road over Red Sleep Mountain had been opened already, but it was not.  However, the short road has been extended considerably and now runs clear back to the down side of Red Sleep Mountain, allowing for more opportunities to see critters.

And what a rewarding day it was! 18 Pronghorn, 43 Bison, 22 White Tail Deer, three Coyote, one Fox and a Badger!  The coyote and fox were too far away for a decent photo, and the badger was denning very close to the road but mostly hidden in the dense brush.  A few of the Bison were wallowing in sand pits, to help get rid of winter coats and pesky insects.  I have to think it felt so good to them.

Several of the Pronghorn does looked very pregnant, and I suspect that if I were to go back in another week or two there would be a number of new fawns in the herd.

There were also numerous birds about, although not quite the variety that there will be in another week or three.  Plenty of Song Sparrows and Western Meadowlarks, the latter of which
were quite cooperative for photos.

A few Tree Swallows were occupying bluebird houses, but I did not see a single bluebird, which was surprising, as we've had them here in the valley since the end of February!

The Balsam Root, one of my favorite wildflowers, was blooming in profusion on the prairie flats, and in the bright morning sun.  At the end of the road I got out of my car to sit on one of the boulders placed around the parking area.  I was alone with the bright yellow Balsam Root, the birds, the breeze and the morning sun.  How incredibly peaceful that was - nothing more uplifting to the spirit than a quiet place to sit and become one with nature.

On the way back I saw a Hooded Merganser in  Mission Creek, the only water bird seen that morning other than Canada Geese, which were everywhere.


I stopped at the pond on the way out, and so glad I did, for not
only were the millions of turtles out sunning themselves, but there were several Cottontail Rabbits munching on the sweet spring grass beneath the juniper trees.


The best sighting at the Range that morning however, was a pair of Trumpeter Swans, which were nesting on the pond!  I've never seen one there before, let along a pair.  One had a neck collar and I'm trying to find out how to track where the bird was banded, and where it's been.

 After leaving the Range I was directed by a fellow photographer, to an old Cottonwood tree where there was a nest with Great Horned Owlets in it.  True to his word, there they were, peeking out at me from the nest.  Mom was probably nearby, sleeping soundly away from "the kids".