Puppers

Northern Harrier

Also from Ridgefield NWR.

Coyotes

The Coyotes put on a good show today at Ridgefield. I watched these two for about thirty minutes and took about 150 photos. Somehow I filtered it down to 20 to share with you.
At first I saw only one, but then a companion came into view.



Yawn.

There was a a lot of jumping and pouncing. They were both very successful and I saw them capture at least 2 voles each. I wonder how many they eat a day.





















I was fascinated by how they eat the vole.





The one closest to me was digging to get to a vole. I suspect he pounced on it and injured it and it was just under the soil. He pounced and dug in that area for a while before becoming successful and eating it.







Such beautiful creatures. I just love watching them.

I have a series of Northern Harrier photos to share next time, and some random photos from this trip as well.

Mossy Bits & Frosty Webs

From Ridgefield NWR

Ridgefield

I drove up to Ridgefield NWR on Sunday. It was pretty cloudy and darker than Portland.

If it's not ideal for bird photos, I try to focus on the landscape. It's always a pretty place.

Pintails practicing their synchronized swimming.

There were a lot of ducks around.

American Wigeon

Gadwalls

Northern Pintails

I also saw: Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, Scaup, Bufflehead, and Hooded Merganser.

Beautiful reflections

Song Sparrows were everywhere.



Practicing for spring.

A friendly Spotted Towhee.
And my favorite---Coyotes!



Hunting

Success

This dog was smiling a lot.






I decided to drive around one more time.



Hooded Mergansers (female above, male below)



Pretty lighting.

Golden-crowned Sparrow flock

The coyotes were still hunting. I guess Herons don't mind them and aren't worried?

It was a pleasant morning drive.