Tag Archives: Ducks

A Little Update

It is migration time for the birds along the Pacific Flyway. However, it is sad that when they fly to where they know, and they aren’t going to see a lot of water. This is due to the fact the Refuges have hardly any. I won’t get into the why’s of it all, but to me it’s all political b.s. And we are in an extreme drought. However, the canals throughout the basin seem to be plenty full of water.

However, hubby and I still go out weekly and have a nice time capturing what wildlife there is out there. Yesterday on Facebook I read that part of the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge was receiving water. This water will fill/help the sanctuary area for the birds. This is an area that is restricted to non federal employees. However it seems more and more people are disobeying the rules and still go out there. As a former employee of the Refuge (I retired in 2021) I still don’t even go out to the restricted areas. I can. I have permission. But without any water, there is no reason. Maybe later when we have goslings. If there is still any water.

Anyway, yesterday afternoon, we did head out to the refuge, just to see if the water rumor was true. It was. That made us happy.

On the way home, we jumped over the highway onto the Oregon side of the road and took the dirt roads towards home. (All legal) The farmers seem to be getting enough water to flood their fields, and this brings about ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, and bald eagles.

While we were headed home we saw the eagles and was able to watch one snag a duck out of the water. It was awesome to see! Then he dropped it. Sadly for him. However there was an eagle on the ground that decided to claim it for his own. (or Her own). So this is a short post today. (Like I post more than once a year right?).

I am sharing a video I put together from yesterdays mini adventure.

One thing I have learned is to always take my camera, even if we don’t plan on going to the refuge, but might be in the area. A couple months ago I missed good shots of coyotes that were in a wheat field. They were close enough to capture too. Missed opportunities for sure. But we still enjoyed watching them.

Enjoy the video.

Have a Blessed Day

Tracy Lynn

Sing for your Supper

Goslings

Following Along

A couple of weeks ago the husband and I started seeing the goslings on the refuge.  It’s almost as fun as photographing the eagles when they started migrating in.

Follow us Kids

The tiny little yellow “fluff balls” are just so stinking cute!Mom Dad and Kids!

We went out to the refuge this past weekend in search of more cute adorable  fluffy goslings.  Boy were we in for a surprise!  They grow fast!  It is amazing to see what a difference a week has made.  No, I do not know if they were the same goslings as the week before, but we can sure see the difference!

The Goslings are getting bigger

3 Older Goslings

One thing we have noticed and learned is they have very protective parents.  The geese were across the canal from us, so we weren’t causing any real harm, other than disturbing their day and perhaps the swimming lesson and other lessons.

Mom and Dad put their heads and bodies down very flat and they remain very still.

Protective Parents

Older Goslings and Protective Parent

As with any youngster, the babies weren’t as still as they probably should have been. I am sure they have a short attention span as do most little ones.

Protective Mama

This mama, kind of resembles a snake that I would not want to mess with!

A couple facts about the newly hatched balls of fluff.

“The newly hatched babies are able to swim immediately.  After the babies have hatched, the family moves away from the nesting site on foot toward more favorable feeding areas.  Five weeks after the goslings hatch, the females begin moulting (the males begin right after mating).  During this time, the adults are unable to fly.  The adults regrow their flight feathers and are ready to fly at about the same time as the goslings are able to learn – at nine weeks old.”

Nine Weeks?  Really?  That means before the end of May!  Then what will we photograph?

We’ve only seen goslings, and no ducklings yet.  Hubby and I are really looking forward to seeing little baby ducks! There are so many different species on the refuge right now so I am curious to see what the babies will look like!

I think I should pack a picnic lunch and a couple lawn chairs and find a “good spot” to sit and watch and photograph all of these cute babies!

Maybe next weekend!

Family All in A Row

One thing about where we live and what we get to photograph, is it gives us a chance to not only see some cool birds, but it also gives us the opportunity to do a little research and find out interesting facts about the birds.  It is true, we are never to old to learn.

Never in my life would I imagine that I would be going to a wildlife refuge on a weekly basis, find a bird I haven’t seen before, take a picture of it, and go home and break out the bird book.  I’m not addicted, so I can’t be classified as a true “Birder” but it is fun to try and identify what you saw while you were out for the day!

One thing I will say is this.  Take some time to “unplug” go outside and stop and listen.  There are so many different sounding birds that it is really kind of cool to listen to how many different birds are out there!

Small Goslings on the Marsh

Set up the video camera, find a great spot on the bank of the water that has a lot of birds  turn on the camera, sit back and let the video listen for you.  You can even use your smart phone to capture the sounds!  You won’t be sorry.  Unless the wind is blowing right into the microphone!

Best of all, have fun!  You will fall in love with the sounds of nature.

Until Next Time!

Happy Shooting and Happy “Birding”

T Lynn

Nice day for a swim