Al Hansen
Well-known member
This refuge is packed with guests eager to get looks at the many birds that are now coming here. The latest count had ducks at 59,000, light geese at 37,000, and close to 7,000 sandhill cranes.
Just as you enter the refuge, on the northern border there are two ponds on the west side of old highway #1. The second pond which is the larger of the two was holding what looked like 5000 birds or more. Here are a few shots of them. I love listening to them when they are in large groups and within seconds it will all of a sudden become almost deathly quiet. Then all hell seems to break loose as the flock will explode into the air for no apparent reason, fly around for a minute or two, then land and "normalcy" prevails once again. What is so sweet is that it takes me 12 minutes to drive here from our home.
A good looking juvenile snow goose
The blue goose will show you how quickly things settled back to normal.
I then proceeded to another part of the refuge where they just opened up a new road for visitors. I saw a great many sandhills in this area. While I was looking at my photos this morning on the computer I happened to notice this one unusual looking bird in the flock. Unfortunately I did not see it yesterday when taking pictures of the cranes. Does anyone know what this bird is? I would appreciate your help. I know that it is out of focus and a long ways away.
A few last shots of light geese before I headed home.
Al
Just as you enter the refuge, on the northern border there are two ponds on the west side of old highway #1. The second pond which is the larger of the two was holding what looked like 5000 birds or more. Here are a few shots of them. I love listening to them when they are in large groups and within seconds it will all of a sudden become almost deathly quiet. Then all hell seems to break loose as the flock will explode into the air for no apparent reason, fly around for a minute or two, then land and "normalcy" prevails once again. What is so sweet is that it takes me 12 minutes to drive here from our home.
A good looking juvenile snow goose
The blue goose will show you how quickly things settled back to normal.
I then proceeded to another part of the refuge where they just opened up a new road for visitors. I saw a great many sandhills in this area. While I was looking at my photos this morning on the computer I happened to notice this one unusual looking bird in the flock. Unfortunately I did not see it yesterday when taking pictures of the cranes. Does anyone know what this bird is? I would appreciate your help. I know that it is out of focus and a long ways away.
A few last shots of light geese before I headed home.
Al