They wouldn't let me get very close and they were mostly feeding (they do love their thistle) so I only got a couple of keepers and I had to crop those pretty tightly. I think I'll use my 1.4 extender when I go there again, which will be on my return trip from Durango, where I am now. I hope they haven't eaten all the thistle seeds by then.
We've had these birds at our feeders, but somehow, this isn't the same. Must be the natural setting.
Tags: Female Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Kachina Wetlands Flagstaff NGC
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There was another one teaching her five ducklings how to dive, which was the cutest thing. First, she would dive repeatedly in their midst, then the babies would follow, one by one, but it took a few motherly dives for the last few to learn how.
Tags: Stretching Northern Shoveler Female Anas clypeata Kachina Wetlands Flagstaff NGC
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Frustrating birds, these. They always hide deep in the reeds, then pop out when I'm right next to them and scare me. Even when they are in sight, the reeds are still in the way and they're far away, but if I try to get closer to them, they fly away. Guess I'll have to be satisfied with over-cropping them.
Tags: Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Kachina Wetlands Flagstaff AZ SpecAnimal NGC
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This is the forth effluent treatment facility that I've photographed and I think it's my favorite, so far. The others are Santee Lakes, San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sedona Wetlands. I think it's such a cool idea to provide a habitat for wildlife as part of the treatment of human waste. By the way, most of the water is clear, but I liked the color of the algae in this view. I'll have to go back when there's snow on the peaks, though. Makes for a much prettier shot.
On my return trip from Durango, there was snow on the back side, but none on this side. Go figure.
Tags: Kachina Wetlands San Francisco Peaks Flagstaff AbsolutelyStunningScapes COTH SuperShot NGC Sunrays+5 InspiringCreativeMInds
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Her toes are crossed for good luck. Don't worry, it's not a deformity. They were normal in the other shots.
Tags: Female Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Kachina Wetlands Flagstaff Blinkagain NGC Sunrays+5
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