At a loss for a catchy title

[rtbaum]

CiC has competition for my photos. A group of locals with similar passions for nature photography has launched a photography club. I attended the second meeting of the group this past Wednesday. As may be expected, the group seems to be struggling with a lack of aim of purpose. The group as a whole exhibits a wide range of experience, from those with their first dslr to those with the latest and greatest offerings by Nikon and Canon.
By the way, the D5 and EOS-1D are massive!!!!

Time will tell whether this group meets only to show off their equipment and mastery of technique..or assisting the refuge in public education and promotion of the resources available. The refuge clearly prefers the latter and I am in agreement.

Next Saturday, I have volunteered to man a booth for the club at the refuge Fall Festival where I hope to answer any question the public may have. With this in mind, I headed up and did some exploring this past Saturday...and may return today.

For now, how about a few shots?

One of the advantages of the group is learning about new opportunities for photos. There was a report of a family of River Otters in an area that I had not known about. So I set off at an obscene hour to to attempt to capture them in the morning light.....light mist and overcast The otters were a no show, I did find a flock of White Pelicans,



Pileated Woodpecker,



and Yellow-Shafted Flicker



An immature Red-tailed Hawk kept an eye on me



After failing to find the otters, I went to the wildlife drive where I attempted some flowers in the building stiff breeze


Bouncing Bet


Gumweed


One of many species of Aster of the tallgrass prairie

I soon grew aggravated trying to shoot wild flowers in a stiff breeze and moved to more stationary subjects


Blandings Turtle caused a two car backup on the drive. Luckily, we both had cameras


Wood ducks were seeking refuge from next weekends Waterfowl hunting season opener


There are many Pie-Billed Grebes moving through on their southward migration


An adult Bald Eagle and offspring were on their crag in the middle of the wetland


Eastern Phoebe, I think?

[bnnrcn]

A nice set Randy

[rtbaum]

A nice set Randy

Thank you, Binnur

[Wavelength]

Very nice and variety set Indeed

[Geoff F]

Some potentially tricky subjects well handled.

[madcrow]

Randy, title not the best but images I have to say are fabulous.

[terrib]

Looks like you had a great day out at the refuge. Best of luck to the photography group. I hope the people will be willing to put in the time to make it work.

[NorthernFocus]

Looks like you had a nice day in the field, Randy. Nice job simply taking what's offered. Many people would just bag it and go home when the otters were a no show. Matter of fact that's a good topic for a club meeting

[Arjung]

A great set of images Randy. Nicely composed. The Gumweed & Aster photos are the odd ones out in this collection as they do not have any insects / birds in them

[JBW]

the shots are great for a snappy title:
Snap ~ Crackle ~ Pop?

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[rtbaum]

Looks like you had a nice day in the field, Randy. Nice job simply taking what's offered. Many people would just bag it and go home when the otters were a no show. Matter of fact that's a good topic for a club meeting

This is a lesson that I learned long ago. When I go out on the weekends, I do not have an agenda; I just take it as it comes. I drive slowly along a remote gravel road, stopping and just sitting at the side, letting the wildlife become comfortable with my presence. I am beginning to learn where to find certain subjects, bald eagles are a good example; the adult and juvenile are usually found in the craggy dead tree in the middle of the swamp/river, adjacent to an enormous nest.....hard to miss with the sign that says, "Eagle Viewing"