5/31/2025 - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Went back for another drive along Wildlife Drive hoping to see some different birds but I brought my wife along as she had never been either.  Unfortunately, it was another windy and rainy day so there were limited sightings of any birds.  I think the fact that the water was mostly drained from the main pool didn't help all that much either.

Entrance: https://w3w.co/chairing.pave.envied
Site Notes: There are accessible views from the Visitor Center but the wildlife is limited there.  All the pictures posted here were taken from the car along the dirt road that is Wildlife Drive.

Time: 12:11; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 600mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6.3; Exposure: 1/640 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird

Time: 12:21; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 420mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6; Exposure: 1/200 sec
Bird: Canadian Goose

Time: 12:33; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 600mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6.3; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Great Blue Heron

Time: 12:41; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 210mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/5.6; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Black Turn
Note: These things are fast!  This was the best picture I could get...

Time: 12:44; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 380mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Great Blue Heron

Time: 12:56; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 310mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird (female)
Note: She was quick but very close to the car...

Time: 12:56; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 310mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird (female)

Time: 12:58; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 600mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6.3; Exposure: 1/80 sec
Bird: Marsh Wren
Note: Loud but hard to spot as they zip around...

Time: 13:10; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 600mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6.3; Exposure: 1/250 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird

Time: 13:10; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 600mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/6.3; Exposure: 1/200 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird

Time: 13:11; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 220mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/7.1; Exposure: 1/200 sec
Bird: Canadian Goose Gosling

Time: 13:11; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 220mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/7.1; Exposure: 1/100 sec

Time: 13:23; Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS; 
Focal Length: 570mm; ISO: 400; Aperture: f/7.1; Exposure: 1/100 sec
Bird: Red Winged Blackbird