The River "S" Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge has a 4.2 mile auto tour route and 1.5 mile seasonal hiking trail. The auto tour is an excellent way to see the Refuge. A pair of binoculars is a must and a camera makes it even more fun !!!
This tour was the first time out with a new Sony Alpha 100 and 75-300 zoom lens !!! The Great Blue Herons were beautiful!!! ... Enjoy.
This trip includes ...
Great Blue Heron ... Northern Harrier ... Hooded Merganser ... Western Painted Turtles ... Cackling Geese ... Great Horned Owl Nest ...
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Great Blue Heron.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
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Great Blue Heron.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
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Great Blue Heron ... capturing snake ...
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Closeup, Great Blue Heron waiting to strike.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
[Sony DSC W100]
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Great Blue Heron and Snake, Stalk, Attack, and Capture.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
[Sony DSC W100]
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Great Blue Heron and snake.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
[Sony DSC W100]
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Great Blue Heron ... with snake ...
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Great Blue Heron with snake.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
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Great Blue Heron with snake.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
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Northern Harrier, female.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
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Northern Harrier, female.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
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Hooded Merganser, female.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
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Cackling Geese.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
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Cackling Goose.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
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Western Painted Turtles.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
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On March 29, 1806, while camped at "Wapato Portage" - today the Cathlapotle area of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - Captain Lewis wrote about an owl, which historians believe is the Great Horned Owl.
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"... the frogs are croaking in the swams and marhes; their notes do not differ from those of the Atlantic States; they are not found in the salt marshes near the entrance of the river. heared a large hooting owl hollowing this evening.
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[Lewis, March 29, 1806]
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Great Horned Owl Nest, with "mom".
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 25, 2007.
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... March 29
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... MORE ...
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December 30 ...
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