I got to Blackwater just in time for a couple of sunrise shots, and the resident birds got active right away. A Red Tailed Hawk initially eluded me, but I found him later and got a couple of good looks.
The water along WIldlife Drive was ice-free, unlike my last visit. There weren’t as as many ducks as I wanted, but there was plenty of variety. Swans and Geese were abundant, but difficult to photograph due to distance.
I made a brief stop at Oakley Street, where the water was spraying over the wall. A good day, with good light.
![Blackwater Dawn 57 Blackwater Dawn 57](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Blackwater-Dawn-57.jpg?resize=584%2C390&ssl=1)
Sunrise at Blackwater NWR.
![Northern Shoveler 23019-2 Northern Shoveler 23019-2](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Northern-Shoveler-23019-2.jpg?resize=584%2C466&ssl=1)
![Northern Shoveler 23019-5 Northern Shoveler 23019-5](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Northern-Shoveler-23019-5.jpg?resize=584%2C515&ssl=1)
There were fewer Northern Shovelers than usual.
![American Wigeon 2019-7 American Wigeon 2019-7](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/American-Wigeon-2019-7.jpg?resize=584%2C448&ssl=1)
![American Wigeon 2019-8 American Wigeon 2019-8](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/American-Wigeon-2019-8.jpg?resize=584%2C399&ssl=1)
American Wigeon at Oakley Street.
![Canvasback 2019-27 Canvasback 2019-27](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Canvasback-2019-27.jpg?resize=584%2C399&ssl=1)
There were many Canvasbacks.
![Lesser Scaup 2019-22 Lesser Scaup 2019-22](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Lesser-Scaup-2019-22.jpg?resize=584%2C452&ssl=1)
Many Scaup were in the crowd.
![Tundra Swan 2019-28 Tundra Swan 2019-28](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Tundra-Swan-2019-28.jpg?resize=584%2C439&ssl=1)
Many Tundra Swans were foraging in the marsh.
![Bald Eagle 2019-11 Bald Eagle 2019-11](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Bald-Eagle-2019-11.jpg?resize=584%2C582&ssl=1)
I found about 5 Bald Eagles.
![Great Blue Heron 2019-17 Great Blue Heron 2019-17](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Great-Blue-Heron-2019-17.jpg?resize=584%2C473&ssl=1)
I found this Great Blue Heron as I entered the refuge.
![Red Tailed Hawk 2019-4 Red Tailed Hawk 2019-4](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Red-Tailed-Hawk-2019-4.jpg?resize=584%2C455&ssl=1)
![Red Tailed Hawk 2019-5 Red Tailed Hawk 2019-5](https://i0.wp.com/hughvandervoort.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Red-Tailed-Hawk-2019-5.jpg?resize=584%2C521&ssl=1)
I saw this Red Tailed Hawk on three different perches.