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 !!!
The day was a combination of sun, rain, and hail ... wonderful March weather ... FOUR new "first photographed" birds --- the Violet-green Swallow and the Cliff Swallow, plus two very rare visitors, the Mountain Bluebird and the Say's Phoebe ... plus a MINK !!!!! ... and LOTS of Swallows ...
This trip includes ...
Mountain Bluebird ... Say's Phoebe ... American Robin ... American Coot ... Ring-necked Duck ... Northern Shoveler ... Yellow-rumped Warbler ... Marsh Wren ... Black-capped Chickadee ... Great Egret ... Tree Swallow ... Cliff Swallow ... Violet-green Swallow ... Bald Eagle ... Great Horned Owl ... Mink ...
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Mountain Bluebird, male (left), and Say's Phoebe (right).
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Two very rare visitors to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge !!!
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American Robin.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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American Coot.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Ring-necked Duck, male (left) and female (right).
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Northern Shoveler, male.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Marsh Wren.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Marsh Wren.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Black-capped Chickadee.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Great Egret.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Great Egret.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Tree Swallow.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Cliff Swallow.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Violet-green Swallow.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Bald Eagle.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Bald Eagle.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Bald Eagle.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Bald Eagle.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Great Horned Owl, adult.
Perched in tree on the other side of the canal behind the nest.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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"Peak-a-boo" ... Great Horned Owl, baby.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Mink.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Mink.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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I believe the sound of the camera shutter caught the Mink's attention. He came up withing 10 feet of the car looking towards the sound.
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Mink, walking towards car.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Mink, looking at car.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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Mink, realizing a human was in the car.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 30, 2008.
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... April 1
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... MORE ...
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March 22 ...
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