I wasn’t much for venturing away from my little BLM paradise last week, but my friend Stacy, an avid birder, convinced me to join her for a walk at the Arlington Wildlife Refuge, about a half hour’s drive from where we were both camping. I’m not much of a birder, since I usually can’t spot the bird fast enough and I never remember their names (I have trouble with people names, let alone bird names!). But the prospect of a walk in a new place was enticing enough to get me going.
As wildlife refuges go, this one isn’t going to make anyone’s top 10 list. It was accessible from a red dirt road that was mostly red mud that stuck to tires, boots, and dog paws, and it was small, with a lovely water pump sound that was audible from almost everywhere we walked. But… it did have birds and ducks and things for Louise, the Pondering Pup, to explore. And light that any photographer would love.
Overcast is often the best way to shoot outdoors; the sun isn’t glaring off the water, the shadows are more interesting, and I don’t get all hot and sweaty, either. So, yes, I had fun with shooting the water and surrounding landscapes on this outing.
Maybe there’s a wildlife refuge near you. Go visit! You may be surprised what you’ll find there.
Where do we record the passing of wildlife?
Who mourns the silent deaths of the small?
O. R. Melling
There are some pretty good bird books out there where you can record what you’ve seen. We had a feisty little Coopers Hawk in our yard one day in Corona. He was so much fun to watch. Here in Wisconsin there are many beautiful birds including a pair of eagles nested a block or so away. They cast a mighty big shadow when they come in for a landing.
Thank you Annie. The photos are lovely and soft and so enticing. I too can not decipher one little brown bird from another.
I just know we have far too few these days, along with a mystifying lack of bugs on our windshields!
The more birds the better is where I stand. Thank you for your ongoing dialogue about your life and travels.
Jeanne, a fellow Altoiste (1713).
I enjoyed this post Annie. I often go to Crex Meadows near Grantsburg, WI to find my wild place. There is nothing majestic there but the beauty all its own can be breathtaking. Especially on a cloudy day! The tones and shades and gentle lighting can be entrancing. Loved these photos you shared today.