5/16/2026 - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Another trip to Montezuma.  I didn't get a lot of pictures this time but I did get some very nice photos.  I also too advantage of the high resolution in the camera to do a little cropping on a couple of them as they were very well focused.  I couldn't resist because the detail was retained even with the huge crop factor.  I also got a distant picture of a bald eagle.  Once landed, I did not get any pictures I could use unfortunately.  Still a beautiful sight to see!

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!

5/2/2026 - Montezuma Audubon Center

I convinced my wife to give this place a try for some easy walking and bird photography.  It is a little easier on me as I'm not working around the steering wheel.  We spent a lot of time trying to get a good picture of a Common Tern that was hunting for dinner.  I did get a couple pictures of birds I've never seen before, an American Goldfinch and a Cedar Waxwing.  I even got the Tern splashing in for a meal.

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.

Splash down!

4/18/2026 - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Montezuma is becoming one of my wife's favorite places to go, taking advantage of the new camera we purchased for her (Nikon Z50 II).  I am not complaining as I do enjoy seeing and photographing the different birds that can be found here.  One of the pictures is of a juvenile Bald Eagle though it isn't all that great a picture.  Early season and rather windy so there were limited views of the birds.  Hopefully, you enjoy these.

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!

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...