8/24/2025 - Montezuma Audubon Center

Another place that I'd never been but have seen many posts within a Facebook group I'm in.  Wasn't sure exactly what to expect.  As you will see from the number of pictures, it was a very fruitful visit.  I can only imagine that there would be a lot more if I were to visit earlier in the year.

Parking Location: https://w3w.co/insects.tablet.subjecting

Site Notes: The building wasn't open when I visited but it is fully accessible.  The trails are accessible if you have something that can handle some rough trails.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:31; Focal Length: 360mm; Shutter: 1/2500sec; Aperture: f/6; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:31; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/2500sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: I've seen Ruby Throated Hummingbirds perch at home a few times, but never when I had a camera with me.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:32; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: Takeoff eminent!

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:34; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/2500sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:37; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: This one caught my attention when I heard a screech as it took off from a tree quite some distance away.  Until I started editing, I thought it was a juvenile Bald Eagle, turned out to be a Red Tailed Hawk.  This is heavily cropped.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:46; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/500sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 1000

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:50; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/5000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 1000

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:51; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/2500sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 1000

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:51; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/2000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:52; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1600sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:52; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1250sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:53; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: The first time I've seen a Belted Kingfisher perched where I had a clear view.  I did some additional cropping on this one.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:53; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:53; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/2000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:54; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1600sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 10:56; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/640sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: Last turtle picture.  This one was in the middle of the trail.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:03; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/4000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:05; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: A Pied-billed Grebe.  A bit of cropping mostly to center it in the frame.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:08; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: I wasn't sure how I spooked a flock of geese that were on an island in the middle of a decent sized pond but I soon figured out it wasn't me that spooked them...

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:08; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 800
Note: The shadow from this Osprey is what spooked the geese.  I was completely amazed to capture the preparation for a dive!  It dove 3 times in total but missed getting it's lunch.  The dive was so fast that I couldn't move the camera fast enough to keep up with it.  There is a slight crop on this.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:10; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/800sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:10; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:14; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: Soaring for the third attempt...

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:19; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/320sec; Aperture: f/1/320; ISO: 400
Note: There were several of these House Finches singing away in the trees, but she was the only one that perched long enough for me to get a picture.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:24; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/4000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: Drying the wings after the third failed attempt at getting lunch.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:29; Focal Length: 560mm; Shutter: 1/8000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: Flew right over me on the way to a different fishing location.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:33; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/4000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: Growing up on the river, I've seen many Great Blue Herons but this is the first time I've ever seen one perched in a tree in person...

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:38; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: A pair of young Common Gallinules.  I didn't see the adult in the background until I was editing.  truthfully, not the great for zooming in for a closer view.

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:45; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/800sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:47; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1250sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:48; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:48; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1000sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:49; Focal Length: 180mm; Shutter: 1/1250sec; Aperture: f/5.6; ISO: 400

Camera: Nikon Z7 II; Lens: Nikon NIKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRS;
Time: 11:53; Focal Length: 600mm; Shutter: 1/1250sec; Aperture: f/6.3; ISO: 400
Note: I thought the little photobomber really made the picture better...