Winter has been a bit dreary, lots of rain as always here in the Pacific North West. The timing is right to see a lot of ducks here at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. The blue bill is very distinctive on the Ruddy Duck I enjoy seeing all the various species that come through the area. Planning on going to the Vancouver Lake area to see what may be passing through there.
What kind of duck are you?
Spotted this feathered friend among wild ducks at Ridgefield NWR and don't know if it would be an albino or can birds even be albinos? Great summer here in the northwest all the way through October, but the rains have returned. Spotted a Snowy Owl last winter but didn't have my camera with me, I'll cross my fingers ffor this winter. Sometimes they come this far south so I'll hope for the best.
I try to spot critters doing something and preening seems to catch a bird doing various things. A bit of human interpretation lends itself to titles like I put on this image! Does anyone ever comment on zenfolio, is my archive enjoyable to folks at all?
With so much rain lately there's been plenty of time to wonder if my site has been a place folks could enjoy some of the images I've seen in life. Having retired a few years ago now I hoped starting this website and sharing my images would be a way to share this man's photographic journey, at least for the last 40+ years. I think seeing other photographers images here and on Flicker confirmed that we all see many good as well as bad things through our individual eyes and cameras. Hopefully you have the time to find something of the good here. Got this photo a short while ago, interesting words for graffiti under a bridge!
Sure sign fall is here in the Northwest... rain! Gives me time to chill out doing photoshop stuff on favored images. Do my archives have images you find interesting or something you favor more then others? Let me know if you've enjoyed looking? This shot is one of my favorites.
Took this image a while back at a wildlife rehabilitation center. This eagle is still feisty from this, his good side. He unfortunately will never be in the wild again as he was injured and is now blind in his other eye. He is in a good place being well cared for, and will always be magnificent!
Looked up a few days ago and spotted these two flying in formation while hunting. Wingman, each to the other!
Found this little guy hanging out in the yard today as I worked outside. I love their vibrant green color.
I just went to the first art fest that didn't cancel this year due to Covid. I did mask up for the event and I hope the many unmasked folks as well as those with masks all remain well. At my age it seems safer to do the mask thing albeit being uncomfortable. Made a few sales like this nicely colored dragonfly image and enjoyed having a first outing.
Got out to the refuge again the other day and was fortunate enough to spot some frisky otters along the opposite bank. I don't see them a lot but got lucky this time. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
The Dike Road area around Woodland WA. has some good places to photograph Eagles, Osprey, and a Heron rookery.
The numerous products have different cropping parameters. I've looked at what cropping needs to be done for various products. If you can't make the crop in the edits section work let me know and I'll possibly be able to fix it and upload a new image that will work for you.
Another new one!
I've uploaded a bunch of new images in my unsorted photos folder for anyone who would care to check it out.
Just the other day on my drive through the wildlife refuge I spotted this mama redwing feeding her babies in their nest among the cattails.
Ridgefield NWR, Eagles fighting over dinner!
There are some things that need collaboration. There are a lot of products offered on Zenfolio but based on the size of the image I've uploaded many won't show up in my store listing because the image isn't large enough. If you like a certain shot or would like text on it just let me know and I can make sure the image you want is upload large enough for the product you want. You can then choose this image and go about ordering what you wish. A larger image is need for T-shirts for example.
I keep adding images as I encounter fleeting moments in my life (not all of which I have a camera handy to capture), none the less I put them here to share what my eyes have seen. Every other sighted being has seen similar, but to each one these sightings are unique. Like snowflakes no two beings have exactly the same moment in time frozen as an image they can share. For the most part it comes down to I was here, I saw this, I exist, (for now anyway). I hope you can enjoy the moments I've archived here on zenfolio! They are free for a personal and educational use although it is nice if you find something to produce on one of the products zenfolio offers. Just relish looking if you like, thanks for any visiting https://vaughnruppert.zenfolio.com/
Stuck at home mostly with the pandemic. Fortunately I live near Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. They have a good auto tour route for keeping that social distancing during the pandemic. Your car is your photo blind and being in the right place at the right time gets you some nice images. This has been my getaway for the last year! I've visited a lot of wildlife refuges over the years and my image archives has many captures of their wily critters.
IMG_0149GBH cleans dinner before chowing down, yum!