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 warm and overcast. I wanted to photograph wildflowers so I hiked the North Carty Unit ... didn't know there would be two busloads of school kids visiting the Refuge ... however, it turned out great as I got to sit in on their "live raptors" talk, resulting in photographs of a Red-tailed Hawk (from California) and a Western Screech Owl (also from California). On the trail the only bird highlight were two baby Great Horned Owls.
This trip includes ...
Ridgefield NWR North "Carty" Unit ... Live Raptor talk ... Red-tailed Hawk ... Western Screech Owl ... Great Horned Owl (babies) ... Fawn Lily ... Fringecup ... Stream Violet ... Purple Deadnettle ... Siberian Spring Beauty ... Miner's Lettuce ... Skunk Cabbage ... Periwinkle ...
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Bridge to the North Carty Unit.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Live Raptor Talk ... Red-tailed Hawk and the Western Screech Owl ...
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Live Raptor talk.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Live Raptor talk - Red-tailed Hawk (left) and Western Screech Owl (right).
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Live Raptor talk - Western Screech Owl.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Great Horned Owl, babies.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Great Horned Owl, babies.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Fawn Lily.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Fawn Lily.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Fringecup blossom.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Fringecup blossom.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Stream Violet.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Buds, Thimbleberry.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Purple Deadnettle, top view.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Siberian Spring Beauty.
Also known as "Siberian Miner's Lettuce" and "Candy Flower".
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Siberian Spring Beauty.
Also known as "Siberian Miner's Lettuce" and "Candy Flower".
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Miner's Lettuce.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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Skunk Cabbage, leaves.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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An invasive groundcover, Periwinkle, also known as "Common Periwinkle" or "Creeping Myrtle", lines the pathway down the slope to Gee Creek and Carty Lake.
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Periwinkle.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, Carty Unit.
Image taken, May 9, 2008.
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... May 10
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... MORE ...
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May 4 ...
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