8/2/2025 - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

I believe I said it in a previous post, but it is worth repeating.  It appears I'm getting more into wildlife photography, particularly birds.  Perhaps it is because I've photographed a large number of the waterfalls that are within a couple of hours of the house or that we've had so little rain that the flow is very low or non-existent, or maybe I'm just opening my eyes to the rest of the beauty in nature.  I don't know, but I'm getting more impressed with the camera and lens combinations that I have each time I go out.  Taking the time to learn how to set the focus the way I want is really paying off as you'll see in the pictures below.  I hope you enjoy them!

Entrance: https://w3w.co/prelude.beans.counterpart
Site Notes: The visitor center is accessible with knowledgeable volunteers.  This area of the refuge is driving only.  No foot traffic allowed and you must stay in your car except at designated spots.  Don't worry though, there is plenty to see!

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:20; Focal Length: 520 mm; Shutter: 1/400 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Same picture as above, I just thought it came out amazing enough to crop it a bit.  It goes back to my statement of how impressed I am with this camera!

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:22; Focal Length: 570 mm; Shutter: 1/320 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:22; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/320 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:23; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/320 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:30; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:48; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/200 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:51; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/160 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:52; Focal Length: 320 mm; Shutter: 1/250 sec; Aperture: f/6; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:56; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/250 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:56; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/320 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:58; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/400 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:01; Focal Length: 490 mm; Shutter: 1/400 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100
Note: No cropping here, the water was right outside the window!

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:01; Focal Length: 440 mm; Shutter: 1/400 sec; Aperture: f/6; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:08; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/320 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:19; Focal Length: 300 mm; Shutter: 1/500 sec; Aperture: f/6; ISO: 100

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:20; Focal Length: 600 mm; Shutter: 1/1000 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100
Note: My first time capturing a Northern Harrier!

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 12:23; Focal Length: 540 mm; Shutter: 1/1000 sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 100