It was great to get back to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge on a sunny and dry day with the seasonal trails open (except for the Kiva Trail where a Sandhill Crane pair had nested over the winter and hatched a colt). We parked at the Ridgefield Kayak Launch and walked into the Carty Unit to the Headquarters, and then back to the car for a circuit around the Auto Tour at the River S Unit. We saw amazing birds all along the way — and heard many more.
Bird ID is still in progress; all suggestions and corrections are appreciated.
Nancy wrote about this trip on her blog.
(Click any image for a lightbox style slideshow of all the photos in this gallery.)
One of a pair of osprey hunting in Carty Lake and adjoining waterways. 
Red-winged Blackbird, sentinel of the grasslands, perched on a wild rose. 
Killdeer 
Sparrow with a tasty morsel. Which type of sparrow, though? 
Cedar Waxwing 
This Cinnamon Teal in the canal was quite small; perhaps immature? 
Immature female teal? 
Denizen of the deep hiding in the canal. 
European Starling 
This Great Blue Heron was flying in 
American Goldfinch (female) 
Barn Swallow 
Barn Swallow looking up at the sky 
The view from the bird blind on the Auto Tour. 
American Goldfinch (male) 
Tree Swallows 
Tree Swallow
Discoveries 
Spectacular photography, Alan. That waxwing with the berry—love! And the swamp monster!
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these are SO GOOD Alan. I love the stripes on the Killdeer dude. The goldfinch pics are my other faves. Keep it up babe xo
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