Refuge Wednesday

Wednesday is refuge day!
Cold this morning - started with 10 at our house and had risen to 21 by the time I made it to the refuge. Didn't get over 33.
Love the ducks on the ice - they are so awkward.
Sighted my first Rough-legged Hawk of the season. They're migrants from Canada and Alaska. Also several Harriers and Red-tailed Hawks. No Kestrels today.
Here's a few shots that I liked.....

Fog rising from the warmish water..

A pair of Ravens - probably plotting their next rampage!

I didn't hear any noise but it's mouth was sure wide open..

I saw this Ringneck quite a ways away, then it decided to fly towards me so thought I'd see what I could do..

I love the mature Red-tailed Hawks - so regal and beautiful..

Miscellania

A couple of photos from here and there..

Refuge Wednesday

Another fairly quiet day at the refuge, a few more hunters and photographers out as the wind and the clouds have picked up.
Several Northern Harriers out today, nice to see them back.  The youngish Red-tailed Hawk still sitting in it's tree. Ducks having breakfast, songbirds eating seeds, Grebes catching fish - a nice day it was.

Ducks having breakfast

The last Snowy Egret..

Female Harrier

Lesser Goldfinch finding seeds..

Grebe breakfast..

Lesser Yellowlegs..

Northern Harrier - almost got itself a young pheasant..

"Puffy" the young Red-tailed...

Refuge Tuesday

Another beautiful day at the refuge and much quieter on this weekday - very few hunters. Not too much of anything else - a Harrier, a Red-tailed Hawk, a couple of Pelicans, a few Great Blue Herons, and lots of Clark's and Pied Bill Grebes. Of course, Swamp chickens (aka Coots) everywhere.
Very peaceful out there now, a slight breeze and bird calls in the background. Even a Yellow Warbler showed up on top of Goose Egg Hill...

Very proper - Red-tailed Hawk

Love the Avocet's method of hunting.. swirl bill and then grab...

Gonzo here just wouldn't move. I drove right up to the post and stuck the camera almost in his/her face!

Clark's Grebes..fun to watch and not afraid.

The Yellow Warbler - had not seen one out here before but they are not the easiest to spot.

USD...Unidentified Swimming Duck!

More Avocets - so different now than when in breeding plumage with their orange heads.

Refuge Sunday

A beautiful but busy day at the refuge, lots of hunters, not very many ducks. Just nice to be out.
A couple of Harriers in the distance, a Kestrel hovering, Great Blue Herons hiding out from the hunters, and a gorgeous Kingfisher just hanging around...

GBH's staying out of the way of the hunters...

Chasing the ducks...

Gulls, Egrets and Avocets....

Today's prize winner!!

I just can't resist the color combinations..

Antelope Island

I toured Antelope Island this morning with Randy, it being quite a while since I had been there. We did find buffalo, antelope, mule deer a Great Blue Heron and a Great Horned Owl. I finally got a photo of the owl at the ranch after several visits to the ranch over the years.
The day started out chilly but warmed up quite well. We could not find a coyote despite driving every road we found. Perhaps next time.
Enjoy!

Lots of American Avocets hanging out along the island shores..

Buffalo roaming, deer playing...

A Meadowlark serenaded us, but with a different song than in the summer.

Riders on the range..

Then the antelope joined in..

Fall color in the desert...

Here's Hootie, fat and happy in the trees...

Hungry Blue Jays

The jays have been cleaning out the peanut feeder two to three times a day - or as often as I'm willing to fill it. I'm certain I will hear from some of the neighbors about peanuts in their yard and plants! But the jays are beautiful altho raucous and aggressive.

Refuge Monday

Finally made it back to the refuge today after a busy week. A few more birds there, duck hunting season is open, and the Red-tail hawks are back. Still looking for the Harriers.
Here's some of what I captured today..

Welcome back!

Bees and butterflies..

Snowy Egret along with a White-faced Ibis..

Lesser Yellowlegs..

Hunter

Mom and juvenile...

Killdeer