With fall quarter done and dusted (one down, two to go...), my wife and I decided to take advantage of a clear day to head to Billie Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. The wan light of wintry sun was enough to push temperatures above freezing; but in the shadows, frost ruled still. As we headed down gravel dike of the Nisqually Estuary Trail (which separates the salt marsh/mud flats to the west from the freshwater marsh to the east), the bird action heated up. With the cold weather, most of the ducks and geese were avidly feeding to provide fuel to stay warm. On the salt marsh / mudflat side, wigeons and green winged teal were feeding on pickleweed (Salicornia) at the edge of the falling tide.
Pintails and mallards were using their typical tipping-up behavior to probe in deeper water.
"Yes, I have bright orange feet. They are a fashion statement".
Later, in a freshwater canal of the Twin Barns loop, we encountered two green-winged teals greedily sifting duck weed from the water’s surface.
Mixed in with the ducks, greater yellowlegs probed the mud for worms and other invertebrates.
Back in the main pond by the Visitor Center, a female hooded merganser dove for a snack among a small group of mallards.
Several male ring-necked ducks probed the pond floor for food as well. This individual sported a very 1950ish slicked-back look.
Other great pictures included a common crow posing in an oso berry bush
and a great blue heron in prime plumage hunting rodents.
Overall, a great day as Nisqually, 29 bird species.
Steve
Pintails and mallards were using their typical tipping-up behavior to probe in deeper water.
"Yes, I have bright orange feet. They are a fashion statement".
Later, in a freshwater canal of the Twin Barns loop, we encountered two green-winged teals greedily sifting duck weed from the water’s surface.
Mixed in with the ducks, greater yellowlegs probed the mud for worms and other invertebrates.
Back in the main pond by the Visitor Center, a female hooded merganser dove for a snack among a small group of mallards.
Several male ring-necked ducks probed the pond floor for food as well. This individual sported a very 1950ish slicked-back look.
Other great pictures included a common crow posing in an oso berry bush
and a great blue heron in prime plumage hunting rodents.
Overall, a great day as Nisqually, 29 bird species.
Steve
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Woo hoo!
