by Location In general, things are sorted with the newest items near the tops of albums and galleries. Photography by Jonathan Ley » Washington » Southwest Washington » Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Barn SwallowThis barn swallow had a nest inside the small structure I was in. The parents were very patient though - picking their moment to visit the nest and feed the chicks.Great Blue HeronI have a lot of Great Blue Heron images, but they never seem to get old.Great Blue HeronI was a bit surprised this Great Blue Heron didn't fly off when I was so close.Marsh WrenA Marsh Wren belts out a tune on some grasses along a trail in the refuge.Pied-billed GrebeThese birds are somewhat skittish, only giving you a few moments before they dip under the water and swim away.Wilson's SnipeThese birds are fairly common at the wildlife refuge, but they spend most of their time flying overhead whistling the wind through their tails. Finally, I caught sight of one on the ground to identify it.Blue-winged TealA couple floats by.Cinnamon TealA Cinnamon Teal glows in the morning light on one of the many wetlands in Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.CoyoteA coyote pauses for a moment in Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.Great EgretA Great Egret takes off from the wetlands of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.Greater YellowlegsIt's really difficult to tell if this is a Greater or Lesser Yellowlegs. I'm leaning toward Greater.Pine SiskinThis one was picking the last seeds out of last year's thistles.Snow GooseA lone Snow Goose grazing on the abundant grass at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge.White-breasted NuthatchI seem to see these in deciduous trees, and the Red-breasted Nuthatches in coniferous trees. I'm not sure if that'sWilson's SnipeI was lucky to stumble into this Snipe poking around in the mud.Savannah SparrowI have many photos of these, but always neat to see another.TrojanOk, I know the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant is not really near Ridgefield. It was across the Columbia and a bit downstream. But I had to stick this image somewhere, and didn't want to make a new gallery just for this. My site, my rules. This old cooling tower from a long abandoned nuclear power plant was imploded a few years after this.Red-winged BlackbirdLooks like this bird got hit by an unidentified feathering object.Common YellowthroatCommon, yet difficult to get close to, these birds fill the early summer air with their distinctive song.Tree SwallowA Tree Swallow in an actual tree - now there's a sight worth reporting!Great Blue HeronThis bird was keeping a steady watchful eye over the surrounding wetlands.Red-winged BlackbirdThe female of this species is probably the one bird that confuses casual observers the most. They look quite unlike their flashy male counterparts.Brown-headed CowbirdI only included this one because it can be difficult to identify the females of this species. So, here you go.Nashville WarblersIt's a pretty grainy photograph, but the only one I have of this irregular visitor to the Northwest.Yellow WarblerThese active birds are difficult to photograph in thick brambles. I was happy to get this fleeting glimpse.Savannah SparrowA common sight, and always a welcome one.Wilson's SnipeThese are normally very shy and wary birds. But I've seen them a couple times hanging out on the railing on the trail in Ridgefield NWR.Red-winged BlackbirdThe drizzle and mist couldn't keep this bird quiet.Cinnamon TealLIke water off a duck's back... and sides and front.
