RIDGEFIELD WILDLIFE REFUGE

Last Saturday I needed a day for myself to help me shed the stress, worries and work that was overpowering me.  So I decided to be adventurous and head to Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge in Washington.
It was not a very long drive, less than an hour, and well worth it.

 

I was able to listen to so many bird songs and lucky to capture some of these birds in photographs.

 

Now I have no idea what kind of birds the first two are, but have a feeling someone might!

And maybe help identify all that I do not know!

I captured a mommy and daddy taking turns feeding their babies in a hole in a tree.

Caught one of them taking off from the next.

 I also heard large bullfrogs singing, though not as prettily as the birds.  

Now when I first heard the bullfrogs, all I could see were turtles and assumed the sound was coming from these. I was standing next to a man observing the turtles and said, "I did not know turtles made a sound?"  He looked at me and remarked that this was how they called out to each other, then he walked away.

It was later down the road that I saw the bullfrogs and realized I had been duped! I am just too gullible!

 

I saw lots of dragonflies but they move so fast that it was difficult to catch many of them, but these two were otherwise occupied so great for a risque capture.

 

The red one was a stalker for he seemed to be around me wherever I walked!  

 

This little guy was so close to me and sang such a lovely little song. I was so thrilled he did not fly away as the pictures  are so wonderful.

There was a blind halfway through the drive on a short trail, and I noticed a nest inside. When all the noisy people left, I backed into a corner and readied my camera. I was rewarded for my efforts. A swallow (so I was told) flew in and fed the babies. I think the one with red on his neck is the daddy.

 

I also saw plants, which I also cannot identify.

 

I spotted this red-winged blackbird in a tree and next thing I knew...

he leaned forward and took off!  I caught him just before he spread his wings.

Then I was thrilled when I spotted this guy--a blue heron!!!!

 

I was giggling with delight!  

Then when another car drew near, he took off.

 He flew towards the sun and I could not keep up.

On the hike I startled a young raccoon and he took shelter inside a hollow tree where he peeked out and watched me. It was so cute!

I was playing with a few photos and altered them to be "watercolors."

I love the way they look!!! What do you think?

I was so happy when I arrived home and very relaxed. In fact, I fell asleep and was 1 1.2 hours late to a friends Summer Solstice party!  Sorry Lisa!!

All in all, a great day and evening.