Around The Refuge

The rain forecast for Monday morning held, so I wandered over to the refuge to join Alan and Will for the weekly bird census. There were plenty of the usual suspects, but also some less frequently seen visitors. (Click on the Recent Bird Sightings to see today's results.)


Orchard Oriole near the Tower


Yellow Warblers


I think the Marsh Wren is one of my favorite residents of the refuge. These small birds have an interesting, complicated song. These acrobatic birds are quick and a challenge to photograph.






While my attention was focused on trying to help identify birds, various subjects caught my eye.


Based upon the look on his face I would not mess with this Red Winged Blackbird


Mute Swan at the moment of landing


Coopers Hawk landing near the Southwest entrance


Mother Mallard and ducklings walking along lower impoundment path


Mallards among cattails and duck weed


Goslings walking to the river


While birds caught most of my photographic attention, a few other sights caught my attention.


The warm weather has brought out the black snakes


An almost perfect dandelion