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 !!!
New Refuge bird for me - the American White Pelican !!!!!!!!! ... it is thought the thunderstorms of June 4 drove the 23 American Pelicans into the Refuge.
This trip includes ...
American White Pelican ... Cedar Waxwing ... Barn Swallow ... Wood Ducks and Redhead ... Yellow-headed Blackbird ... Red-winged Blackbird ... Marsh Wren ... Killdeer ... Osprey ... Great Horned Owl ... Blacktail Deer ...
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It is believed the heavy thunderstorms of Thursday, June 4 (unusual for this area) drove the 23 American White Pelicans to seek shelter and rest and they ended up at Rest Lake, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. They remained all day Friday and were still there to photograph (under overcast and heavy cloud) on Saturday, June 6. The flock left the lake around 11:30 and disappeared over the Columbia River, only to return again about 15 minutes later to spend the rest of the day once again on Rest Lake.
CLICK
for more images of the American White Pelicans taken on Saturday.
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American White Pelicans.
On Rest Lake.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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American White Pelicans.
On Rest Lake.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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American White Pelicans.
On Rest Lake.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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American White Pelicans.
Over Rest Lake.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Twenty-three American White Pelicans.
Over Rest Lake.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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American White Pelican, with red wing tag.
Over Rest Lake.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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American White Pelican, bill.
On Rest Lake.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Cedar Waxwing.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Cedar Waxwing.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Barn Swallow.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Barn Swallow nest at entrance kiosk.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Wood Ducks, in canal.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Redhead, male, in canal.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Yellow-headed Blackbird, male.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Red-winged Blackbird, male.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Marsh Wren.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Killdeer, youngster.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Osprey.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Great Horned Owl.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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Blacktail Deer.
Day overcast and heavy clouds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 6, 2009.
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