Although I was quite pleased to see all the Sandhill Cranes when we visited the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, I was disappointed that the main fields hadn’t been flooded and there were few ducks and not shorebirds anywhere in sight. In fact, it was remarkably similar to our recent visit to the Sacrament NWR.
Leslie spent a lot of time trying to get a shot of this Red-Tailed Hawk, but the leaves made it difficult to get it in focus, and the bright light behind it made it underexposed.
I’m sure that I spent more time trying to salvage the shot than Leslie spent taking it, but I was happy with the final result.
This shot of a common Song Sparrow was much easier to get.
Like the Song Sparrow, the Great Blue Heron seemed more than willing to pose for us.
Leslie managed to get a shot of a Northern Harrier once it landed.
Unfortunately, I missed what would likely have been my favorite shot of the day, a Kestrel sitting on a fence post, because I was so focused on a small flock of Sandy Hill Cranes on the other side of the road.
On a good day, Ridgefield NWR is a great place to bird; on an off day, like the day we were there, it can still be rewarding if you take the time to explore a little deeper what is there everyday and not just passing through.